Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 274, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1919 — PAT O’BRIEN WAS HERE [ARTICLE]

PAT O’BRIEN WAS HERE

AVIATOR CAPTURED BY HUNS ATTENDED THE ARMISTICE CELEBRATION HERE. Pat O’Brien, who won so much fame in escaping death in an eight thousand-foot fall in his aeroplane, landing in the German lines and being captured only to make his marvelous escape and to give to the world one of its most exciting stories of adventure, was in this city Tuesday and attended the Armistice celebration. His presence was not generally noted until the dance in the evening. Being recognized by a number of people, he was persuaded by Judge Charles W. Hanley to give a few remarks which he did in a most modest and unassuming manner, but withall he made a decided hit with his large audience. Mr. O’Brien owns a three hundred acre farm near Morocco and takes quite an interest in that city and upon hearing of the celebration here and of the fact that Morocco and Rensselaer were to meet upon the gridiron battlefield, decided to accompany his Morocco friends to this city. He was accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Templeton and his brother. Mr. O’Brien has just returned from Siberia, where he had been to make some investigations of the eastern situation fqp the government. He will be in Washington the last of the week to make his report. He seems to think that there is imminent ganger of a conflict between Japan and the United States. He says Japan has no idea of returning Shantung to China. While in the orient, O’Brien visited China and said he was very proud of a picture he had taken with the president of China. He considered the - eastern situation a very delicate one and thinks when the American soldiers are removed a crisis may be precipitated by Japan. Mr. O’Brien visited Siberia and will later write a book dealing with that country./ He served with four nations during the great war, the United States of America, Canada, England -and France. Peculiar as it may now seem, he is an alien and upon entering the United States a few days ago on his feturn from Siberia had to pay SB.OO alien tax to enter this country. It is possible that the United States congress may pass a special act restoring the citizenship to a great many American soldiers who fought with the English and French. Mr. O’Brien was delighted to meet a large number of people here and all were greatly pleased with his ease and affability. There ate a great many people here who are anxious to have Mr. O’Brien give an address in this city and he expressed his willingness to do so as soon as he had finished his task with thegovernment. ==========