A CANADIAN IN BELGIUM.

White Ribbon, Volume 24, Issue 284, 18 February 1919, Page 8

A CANADIAN IN BELGIUM.

Mrs W. I). Baylcy, wife of one of the Canadian Prohibition Campaigners, now visiting New Zealand, has just received word from her brother, Captain A. \). Mcßae, M.C., that he is now with his battalion in Germany. Captain M< Rac was wounded last August, aft'*r two years' service, a bullet passing through his nose and cheek. He received the Military Cross for his work in the fighting during which he was wounded. Captain Mcßae described his adventures in getting to his battalion after running from hospital in Kngland. lie says, November 25, 1918:“I got barky to the Battalion a few days ago, after quite a wonderful trip um ftom Boulogne, the last bundled miles or so being done by hopping the odd motor lorries. I spent the first night in Valen< and the next in the famous Mons. The towns and * itie> here are a mass of Hags, floral arches, etc.

“It seemed quite strange, when nearing the old battle ground, not t«> bear any guns, and I think it mad** it seem .ill the more desolate, if possible.

“The toads for miles on either side i*t the old /one are crowded with old men, women, and children, pushing wheelbarrows, pulling carts and wag gems, '*l carrying great bundles, on their way to their old homes, though in main cases it will hr but the place w Imre t he*ir homes to be*. Main will not even be able* to find a vestige of the' town or village left. What some of these wonderful French people arc going through ('iniling with iln' knowledge that the) ale to hr free of the Hun) the' world at laige will never appreciate*. The roads, a*' we* now man ii through Belgium towards 1 1n* Rhine* are ever lined with old men (the others are in their own army), women and children and all seem to have learned the word Welcome. Floral arches decorate the streets, and great banners bear some welcome in Belgian, French, Knglish, or a mixture. Women rush out with c ups of tea or coffee to the hoys as we* pass, and when we stop for the night they do their utmost to make us comfort able. (The little lady here has me fixed up in fine style.) It is often quite touching to see the older people standing to welcome us with tears of joy running down their

cheeks. Yesterday, when nearing a little town, wc were met with a hand of some dozen pieces, no member of which 1 should judge was a day under sixty years. They played “Oh, Canada” and “God Save the* King, ’ and not toe) badh Other.”

Captain Mcßae figured very prominently two years ago as a witness in the* famous British Columbia Soldiers* Vote investigation. A referendum on Prohibition was held, and a Government Commission sat in Kngland and discovered that dead soldiers, as well as thousands of fictitious names, had been voted. Captain Mcßae had acted as scrutineer for the Drys, and was able to give evidence that proved that ballots mark'd for Prohibition had been destroyed, and Wet ballots substituted. Captain Mcßae later 01 was placed in charge* of the Canadian (ieneral Flection foi one* of the lour divisions of the Canadian \rmv.