Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1918 — TROOPS SHOW IMPROVEMENT [ARTICLE]

TROOPS SHOW IMPROVEMENT

DIVISION DOES NOT EXPECT TO MOVE SOON—NURSES AT CAMP SHELBY.

Hattiesburg, Miss., April B. Every day shows marked improvement in toe condition of Indiana troops in-the 38th division at Camp Shelby. Men fitted for special work are being transferred to special organisations, and others are going to the convalescent camp for treatment. Volunteers for certain service are being asked. Brigadier-General Sage, camp commander, called recently for seven volunteers frqm each organization. Every Indiana soldier offered himself, although none knew how hazardous the service might be. The seven men from each Indiana unit were selected, and have disappeared. The soldiers were ready for duty when it called. «. General Sage, in an order, declares that the absolute essentials for all trops are discipline, physical development, personal hygiene, the ordinary drill of the arm of the service, and use of the weapon. He orders that all officers devote earnest effiort to obtain proficiency in these fundamentals. Gen. Sage adds: “The first great step toward fitting troops for service abroad is the inoculation of the spirit of discipline. The division has made much improvement in discipline, and its evidenced in military courtesy, in the last few months. Greater improvement, however, must be machs. Officers and enlisted men will rigorously observe military courtesy on all occasions. Salute wall be rendered snappily, and returned in a similar maner. Officers will require enlisted men to employ prescribed military methods of address when speaking to or reporting to officers. Exactness and precision in command and execution of movements in enjoined on all concerned. Leaders must know their work and set an example for their units. They must treat all subordinates with courtesy and fairness, must correct reasonable mistakes without harshness, give clear and reasonable explanations, and show -their men how officers are judged by their organizations.”

While it is generally believed by officers that the division is much better prepared to move across seas than it ever has been, they*, do not expect a movement to France soon. That does not necessarily mean that the troops will be kept at Camp Shelby. With no sewerage system at this camp, the medical department fears that unless a sewerage system is put in much sickness will result. The sick rate at Camp Shelby is very low now and the death rate almost nil, but it is doubtful whether the men of the north will be able to endure the intense summer heat. The sending of engineers to Ft. Benjamin Harrison will not apply to Camp Shelby. The 28th division has a regiment of about 6,000 engineers, which, if removed from here before going across, will be stationed at a northern camp. • The cooks in the Indiana organizations Saturday and Sunday wore gas masks while preparing- meals. At first the masks were in the way, but now they are worn without inconvenience. At the time of the tornado in Newcastle the Red Cross sent to that city a small company of nurses. These nurses were transferred a short time later to New Albany, where they performed magnificent work. These spendid women are now at the base hospital here, serving in the wards to which the sick Indiana soldiers are sent.