Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 104, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 March 1919 — TELUS OF CONDITIONS AT BREST [ARTICLE]

TELUS OF CONDITIONS AT BREST

Secretary of Navy Daniels Visits ('amp; Finds Much to I*raise. Brest, March 2«. —Secretary of the Navy Daniels, after his investigation of camp conditions at Brest, gave out the following statement: "I have spent a portion of two rainy days in the camp at Pontenezen and it rains 330 days out of the year here. I have seen more than 50,000 American troops encamped here waiting for embarkation home and have conferred with scores of officers and many mien just from the front. “This morning I walked for miles on h solid board walk from tent to tent in which the marines are quartered and in the wooden barracks where the soldiers sleep. I the modern kitchens and dining rooms and saw where dinner for ■5,000 marines was prepared in one of the twelve kitchens. This large number is fed in 40 minutes and just as ninny arg fed in the 11 other kitchens. “I sat upon the beds of the soldiers, and ate my midday meal with them. The meal was well cooked, palatable and plentiful and tasted as good as any 'meal I ever ate in my life. The midday meal consisted of a large helping of roast lees, mashed potatoes, stewed carrots, rich meat gravy, btead pudding with raisins, two large slices of white bread and a large cup of coffee. Over the entrance of each of the dining halls is a large sign in French which freely translated mfeans that you can have as much food as you want and go home right away. Few asked for a second helping, for the first helping was more than most of the soldiers could eat at one time. “The soldiers were happy when I told them that Rear-Admiral Halstead had just received a message that the first of the German transports to carry American troops home had been commissioned with

a navy crew and that others would follow, the navy personnel already having arrived on this side to man them. It heartened them to know that in the harbor of Brest was the mighty Leviathan ready to carry 12,000 soldiers home and that four battleships were being coaled preparatory to taking soldiers back home. “The outstanding impression 1 brought with me out- of the rainy days at Pontanezen is the buoyant and cheerful spirit of the 50,000 men I saw in camp there. “In two trips over the camps here I walked about while it was raining, "but 50 miles of board walk made it possible to visit all parts of the camp without inconvenience. Every man In camp has a bunk, mattress and five blankets. • “I found 12 amusement places

In operation which lost week entertained 130,000 men. 1 found the water supply ample. I can see no reason for criticism of this catnip, but more to praise than in any camp I have visited in the Unrfted States. I found the embarkation facilities ample and above criticism'. I found the camp well lighted and saw the beginning of operations for a complete lighting system. “The commanding general of the camp is Brigadier-General Smedley D. Butler He is a steam engine in breeches and his work here is monumental. When the history of Generals Helmick and Butler and their caimble and enthusiastic assistants here in Brest is written, what they have done here will win the praise of all Americans who take pride in big achievements. “If the mothers of America could haye been with me yesterday and today they would have been happy that their sons have such leaders. What the generals have done is only equalled by the excellent service of Admiral Halstead and the naval personnel in charge of naval operations on the coast of France.’’