From the News

Dated: January 12, 1918

INHUMAN HUN SOLDIERY

"Princess Pat" Survivor Who Saw Crucifixion of Soldiers

Writing from Sandricourt, Oise, France, James H. Baker, a former member of the Tribune staff who started for France in June to enter the American ambulance service with others of the Norton-Harris organization declares evidence which comes to him from every hand -- from ambulance men and soldiers who have had personal contact with competent witnesses or have been witnesses themselves, more than bears out assertions he had heard before leaving home concerning German atrocities.

Letters to Minneapolis friends and to Mr. Baker's mother in Mankato bring descriptions of his journey, his visit in Paris, and then his trip to Sandricourt, where the American ambulance men lately arrived have been conditioning for active service.  Mrs. Baker's letter from her son comes to The Tribune by courtesy of the Mankato Free Press.  It follows:

In Paris we saw many soldiers, most of them wounded men on leave and we were struck by the number of decorations.  Of course, the French have been at war nearly three years and consequently thousands of their brave soldiers have been decorated for their great work against the Huns.  We talked to some wounded men, splendid fellows, who had been attending a Y.M.C.A. school and spoke good English, and it was touching to have them speak of America.  'Americans are our brothers, we love you,' one said.  When he learned that we were to do our little part by driving ambulances, he embraced us with his one good arm and wished us luck. 'And will you honour me by smoking one of my cigarettes?' he asked.

That is the feeling towards Americans.  Everywhere we found it the same.  There were more American flags in Paris than French and any 'American' is welcomed with a heartiness and cordiality that brings a lump to his throat.  The French feel that with their great sister republic helping their cause of justice, decency and democracy, they are certain of victory and I pray God that their confidence and trust are well placed.

Some gallant Americans have done great service for France and it is up to us to live up to their name and reputations.  It is easy to understand why so many men have gone in for aviation after hearing some of the tales which the ambulance men bring down from the front and after catching something of the heroic spirit of the French people.  I regret that my poor eyesight makes this impossible.

Some of these stories of German atrocities are too revolting to be repeated.  And keep this in mind, any stories which you may hear of the beastly deeds of the Huns are probably made half way decent or they could not be written and that nothing is too vile or inhuman to be improbably for the savages.  At our hotel was a Virginian who is one of the seven remaining survivors of the original "Princess Pats," the gallant Canadian regiment which was practically wiped out at Ypres early in the war.  This man told of things which he had witnessed and the Sioux Indian was gentle compared with the modern German soldier.  Recall that story of the crucifixion of some Canadians which we had thought improbably.  This man saw the damnable sight and his men killed the poor fellows when they begged to be shot.  There was no way to rescue them.  No story of the German's treatment of women can be exaggerated.  Ambulance men and soldiers agree on that. --From Minneapolis Tribune.