Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 January 1919 — WAS TOO PREVIOUS [ARTICLE]

WAS TOO PREVIOUS

Sarcasm That Berlin Newspaper Probably Regrets. Prophecy That American Soldier* Wruld Soon Cross the Rhine and Enter ~ German Fortresses Has Been Very Literally Fulfilled. The most biting Irony that came out of Germany during the war was cohin the Berlin Lokal Anzelger, a. little more than a year ago. Several of our soldiers had been captured by the Germans. They were dragged all over the empire and exhibited to the enraged populace, just to show the Germans that the Americans were “not to be feared.” The day the unfortunate prisoners arrived in Berlin the paper printed the following under the heading, “Good Morning, Boys “Three cheers for the Americans! Clever chaps they are, it cannot be denied. Scarcely have they touched the soil of this putrefied Europe when already they are forcing their way into Germany. Before long they will cross the Rhine and also enter our fortresses. That is express train speed for American smartness. “It is our good fortune that we are equipped to entertain numerous guests and that we shall be able to provide quarters for these gentlemen. However, we cannot promise them doughnuts or jam, and to this extent they will be obliged to recede from their former standard of living. ............. “As Americans are accustomed to travel in luxury and comfort, we assume that these advance arrivals merely represent couriers for larger numbers to follow. “We are sure the latter will come and be gathered in by us. At home they believe they possess the biggest and most colossal everything, but such ' establishments as w r e have here they have not seen. “Look here, my boys, here is the big firm of Hindenburg & Co., with which yob want to compete. Look at its accomplishments and consider whether it would not be better to haul down' your sign and engage in line. “Perhaps your boss, Wilson, will reconsider his newest line of business before we grab off more of his young, people.” “Clever chaps they are; it cannot be denied.” Yes., they were “clever chaps.” So clever that today, a short year after the sarcasm was printed in the Berlin newspaper, they are actually crossing the Rhine and entering fortresses which seemed so secure ■when the flippant editor gibed the little handful of soldiers who had been overcome.