Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 295, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1918 — ANOTHER INTERESTING LETTER FROM LIEUT. SPITLER [ARTICLE]

ANOTHER INTERESTING LETTER FROM LIEUT. SPITLER

Lieut. W. I. Spitler, who is with the . American forces in northern Russia and has written several interesting tetters of army lif e and occurrences in general there, writes another interesting missive .to his parents which the Republican is permitted to publish. The letter follows American Northern Russia Expeditionary Forces, October 16, 1918. Dear Mother.—-The Wesstern Front situation; seems to be rapidly clearing up. However, I see no opportunity for an early adjustment of affairs here. There are so many things entering into this expedition besides just fighting, that .there is much to be done before we can leave. It is the Mexican situation on a larger scale and more involved. That a settlement is not imminent is evidenced by the thundering of the artillery up ahead. It is my first experience in hearing the shells burst from this angle. Heretofore I have always been between our guns and theirs, and being used to it feel safer there, where I know what is going on. I do not advise you attempting to send me any large packages, but small articles sent as mail—not as parcel post—may be sent without any formality. Articles for warmth that you might send me would not reach me before warm weather anyway.

As for cootie bands, etc., —well, this is a bad bug ridden country; every normal Russian is alive with them, and I am at least normal and not unhappy. Cockroaches are quite as pumerous; are friendly, being fond of eating bedbugs and lice. We never chase cockroaches from our clothes. When; we go to bed indoors the bugs begin to prey on us and the roaches on the bugs. Once youi get used to the tickling sensation it is . not bad, and the chase sometimes proves quite interesting. Our detachment has a train of six small box cars that we live and cook’in when off duty. They are, of bourse, kept back out of shell fire and the men go back there when relieved, and the train moves up then when we advance' Heretofore I have slept in my bunk about every other night. It is a great convenience to the men who are thus kept in out of the wet occasionally. Have just received ordes to move up front again and take up jioslltions. Ido not know what it will involve nor how long we shall be out, but will continue this letter, as soon as I get back.

October 18. —Our cars met us ■half way last night and I came back for a rest. I left early in the afternoon of the 16th, moved up the line until dark, took up positions that night and moved on at daybreak. The infantry moved forward through the woods and we came along the railroad track consolidating positions as the infantry took them. We moved up all imorning and finally drove the enemy from a large clearing where we established ourselves. The foe had destroyed the tracks so badly that it will take a couple of days to fix them so we can move up much further. When we took the clearing there were about ten houses and dugouts. In order to get out the hiding enemy, grenades were thrown into these places. In one dugout the grenade failed to explode, and we found sonie ten women and twenty children in there, some mere babies, one not over a week old. They all began crying at the sight of bayonets and pistols, but a Sergenat stuck his pistol in his holster, picked up a baby and kissed it and every thing was alright. We sent them all back out of danger, including their two cows to provide milk for the kids, and fed the grown people. They were a happy lot of people last night and glad to have been captured by Americans. The Americans are becoming excellent soldiers, and there is much rejudging of men since getting under fire. M6n who were “bears” as soldiers do not all shine riow, and some men who did not "look good” before have . proven themselves to be wonders under fire. Our detachment has come through with a good record. We are very comfortably situated; more so than any other American troops.

Few of the infantry officers know about the use of our guns and they like to hear the sound of them, and to, have the enemy hear them for psychological- effect, although our fire invariably draws artillery fire. Our main purpose is surprise fire at a massed target, and every time we fire we show our exact location, and so must not fire until we have our target. Our enemies fire their guns at airplanes clear out of range, and at the slightest excuse. Consequently we always know where they are and put them out of action and capture many of them. One of out guns repulsed an attack by four hundred of them by firing 150 rounds when they were close to us, having held fire until the right -moment.

I galve one little fat-faced girl, about Woodbull’* age, a piece of milk chocolate just after she had bee» taken ■ from the dug-out yeaterday, and she Shook hands with me with all the dignity in the world. ' I am anxious to hear about *my grandmother. ‘Have -also heard little news of father except that he is busy with war work and meetings. I feel certain now that, I will come back, and the feeling elves me courage. I have been tested udder Are enough now to ( know that I can take my place as, a man among men, an assurance, that can be got only under fire.

standing still so far as the campaign is concerned. Practically no ■hots having been exchanged for a week. The French relieve us at the front line now, and, as there has been nothing doing, I have not even been there when rny own men were. It looks now aa though we might stand fast for the winter, which I hope I® the case. It seems, to me highly probable that the difficulties on the Western Front will he settled soon, and the change in ’ the political situation thus brought about might dear up our troubles for us here before Spring. There is small opportunity of our getting out of here this winter, and, I suppose, the greater part of that time we will not be in communication by mall. It will be a tough time, but will come out alright in the end, I’m sure, and will be a wonderful experience to look back upon. The Y. M. C. A. have a "can” here now and the boys certainly do enjoy it. The Red Cross has got started here also fend are supplying many much-needed articles for the comfort of the men, principally toilet articles, like toothbrushes Mid paste, clean towels, handkerchiefs and socks. They also give out knives, safety razors and blades, pencils and a world of such things until it seems like Christmas whenever we get a shipment from them.

Among the men working for these institutions are some mighty interesting people who have been tn Russia for some time and who know something of conditions and the people. There may be somewhat of a discusslo® going on in the States as to wihy we are opposing the Bolshevik!. TLere is one here also. I have discussed the matter at length with my men (it may be unmilitary, but It pays, for my men are the best satisfied and happiest lot in the force) and have tried to answer All their questions. The Y. M. C. A. came at me today to address the whole .force —a fair poser for me. ’ All the soldiers are agreed that Russia must be put upon her feet to withstand 'Germany’s efforts to control her and make her pay for the war; thus putting Prussia right back’ where she was, and no one wants to leave the Job half finished. But they would like to know what the nolicy is to be after'peace on the Western Front. I imagine no one can answer 1 that question for a certainty.’ However, it is certain that very definite steps are being taken to control Russia 14 for her own good, and that this is not an expedition of conquest, if it were, we would have been in Vologda before this time. ’

This part of Russia is most all "Crow® Land,’’ that is, land belonging to the government, ■' to which titlq by an individual cannot be had. It is rich in timber and has o'tfrer natural resources. Certain classes of people, principally soldiers of the old imperia] government,; can live upon it or get a 99-year lease upon it. Consequent!” they are more educated than the peasant class, who were little more than serfs, and are not rabidly in favor of the Bolshevik!. An educated Russian is educated indeed, but an uneducated one knows nothing hut what he hears and is an easy target for propaganda, and the latter is certainly spread throughout the land. Every time we take a new plac.e we find it full of pamphlets in French and English putting forth the -most simple-minded arguments, calculated to influence a Western mind as it does the Russian peasant. They seem to hellhve that all laboring people are as downtrodden and unthinking as their own. They included the whole world in their dream! of government; yet cannot see a difference in conditions over the world. They really believed that all the earth’s worker* would join them in their revolution for universal peace and a Soviet government world, and feel aggrieved that such was not the case. lam told that their leaders admit that they cannot long exist bu£ that they would die hard and attract as much attention as possible while they lasted. I hope they die a natural death this winter, for die they must as a party, and the sooner the better for all the world. Doubtless some of their doctrines will live, but they are not the people to govern Russia, let alone the whole world. ' .

I suppose you tljlnk I’ve been killing two birds with one stone, writing you a letter and ap the same time composing a -Y. M. C. A. address. Next to the death of the Bolshevik! movement, I most desire the death of the proposed speech. This experience will undoubtedly be a great one for me. Fifteen months ago my life was circumscribed by the limits of my home and office —most pleasant and happy to/ be sure, but rather narrowing. Since that time I’ve done more studying and thinking about mankind in general than I would have done to lifetime under the old plane. The thoughts are probably in their ability to help solve world problem*, but it ought at least to broaden me a bit. - WOOD. ’