Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 186, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 August 1917 — HOME-READING COURSE FOR CITIZEN-SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

HOME-READING COURSE FOR CITIZEN-SOLDIERS

i(lssued by the War Department and all rights to reprint reserved.) This course of thirty daily less ons is offered to the men selected for service in the National Army as a practical h«|lp in getting started in the right way. It is informal in tone and does not attempt to give binding rules and directions. These are contained in the various manuals and regulations of the U. S. Army, to which this course is merely introductory. RECREATION IN CAMP.

While your days in the cantonments will be spent chiefly in drilling and other forms of training, you will have a considerable amount of time left free for your own use. Under some conditions permission may be given at times to leave the cantonment for short periods. If you do go away from the camp on leave, you will continue to wear your uniform and will keep in mind always that you remain a soldier subject to certain requirements that are not so definitely imposed on civilians. In meeting officers, whether in the camp or outside, you are expected always to treat them with proper courtesy and respect. You should remember als9, even though you are not directly under supervision, to keep up your soldierly neatness and bearing. Congress has provided that “it shall be unlawful to sell any intoxicating liquor, including beer, ale or wine to any officer or member of the military forces white in uniform,” an exception being made in a case of liquor required for medical purposes. Under authority of the same act it has also been ruled that alcoholic liquors shall not be sold within 5 riiiles of any military camp, an exception being made in case there is an incorporated city or town within that limit. It has further been provided that “the keeping or setting up of houses of ill fame, brothels, or bawdy houses within 5 miles of any military camp ♦ * * is prohibited.” All these provisions and restrictions are in the interest of every rightminded soldier. They go a long way toward insuring clean and healthful living conditions in the camps. They will help to make every soldier more efficient and better able to give a good account of himself. One of the centers of army life in camp is the post exchange, at which articles for personal use, knickknacks, soft drinks, and so on, are sold. Ypu will be safe in depending on the good quality and fair price of everything offered in the post exchange. In general, the matter of providing for recreation and personal comforts in the* cantonments has been intrusted by the secretary of war to a small body of men known as the Commission on Training Camp Activities. The commission includes an army officer and representatives of organizations that have had much experience in meeting the needs of

men of the type who will go into the national army. It will have the cooperation of the Young Men’s Christian Association and the Knights of Columbus. Other associations may also work With the commission. This task of attending to the social needs of the soldiers has been organized with almost as much care and thoroughness as the bigger task of making ready for the firing line. The Y. M. C. A. is building a hilt for the men in each brigade. In these huts moving picture or vaudeville shows will be given every night. Writing materials can be had for the asking. A piano will be at hand. The Knights of Columbus will have one large building in each camp, in which there will be facilities of the same kind.

Both these organizations will conduct religious services every Sunday. Men of all creeds will be welcome. The secretaries and other officers in charge will be glad at any time to talk over any personal problems and to -help you in any way they can. They are picked because of their willingness and skill in rendering service. .. In every cantonment there will be a complete library building where you will be able to obtain books and magazines of all kinds. In each cantonment the Commission on Training Camp Activities is erecting a lajge auditorium. This is to be used partly as a theatre and partly for athletic instruction. Some of the best theatrical companies in the country will put on Broadway productions for your benefit. These performances will be free. Those who like singing will have plenty of changes to enjoy “sing songs” on a* big scale. The commission has-secured the services of wellknown chorus leaders to take charge of camp singing. A great deal of attention has been given to athletics. An expert will give boxing lessons to large groups of men. This instruction is voluntary but it will be well worth your while to attend. Team athletics, such as baseball, basketball and football will be developed under expert coaches. Of course all these facilities are for use in your spare time only. They are not to interfere with the steady process of training which alone can make you a real soldier.