Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 212, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 September 1917 — Company M. Gives Their Side Of Unpleasant Occurrence. [ARTICLE]

Company M. Gives Their Side Of Unpleasant Occurrence.

Recently there appeared in the Morocco Courier a letter written by Private King, a Morocco boy in the United States army, entitled, “Soldiers Refuse to Eat With Human Beings,” referring to some of the Company M members who attended the dinner given by the citizens of Morocco to the enlisted and conscripted men of the community. It is said that some of the members of the local company refused to take places at the table alongside of the conscripted men. The following' letter was written to the editor of the Courier by Company M, giving their side of the story: Ft. Benj. Harrison, Sept. 18, 1917. To the Editor: Would be glad to see the following in print in your paper. In reply to Pvt. King’s letter in the Morocco newspaper a few days ago, under the heading, “Soldiers refuse to eat with Human Beings,” we, Company M, 3rd Ind. Inf., of Rensselaer, have a few words to say in behalf of ourselves and our organization. , v We think this article is a wonderful display of intelligence and literary art, but are surprised that Mr. King had the ability to write such a spiel. As for tin soldiers, we beg to say we stand one and all for foreign service, although there were a few wise critics who were inclined to look on their home boys as a joke, for joining a home organization—one which they should have given their heartiest support—and we are only wishing for the opportunity to prove our metal. We did not wait until war was declared and jump into a home defense league, as it were, then go knocking some true soldier aggregation through the homer newspaper. We joined together with the expectations of facing the enemy’s firing line, not to sling cosmoline and walk guard along the coast. We are very thankful for the fine supper and the royal treatment we received at Morocco, and sorry so much trouble arose over it. But all would have been averted if one radical fanatic could have felt true military patriotism. Sorry Mr. King forced himselA.in a matter that did not concern him and which was settled in a friendly way. In conclusion we want to say we have a fine brigade and our company is one of the best in the regiment. We should be glad to show Mr. King some real soldiering if he will make us a visit sometime. —Thanking the editor for printing this, and the home public for its cooperation and sentiment, we are The Members of Company M.