The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-03

sessment is made, amounting to about
81 month for each man, The garri-
son ration allowed by the government is
sufficient in the way of staple food, but
the men like something additional. The
garrison ration consists of IA to 20
ounces Of beef, button, bacon, canned
meat, or fish; Is ounces Of -four or its
equal in bread or 90 ounces corn meal;
one kind Of vegetable, beans, peas, rice,
apples, or peaches; tea or coffee.
It's big temptation for man who
is dissatisfied with the service to de-
sert when the government gives him a
ten-day start before looking for him.
said one officer to reporter.
Gets Long Start.
This seems surprising, but is practi-
cally true. Soldiers who become intoxi-
Gated stay away from the fort because
OF their condition and with no thoughts
of desertion. The government thinks it
would be manifestly unfair to charge a
man on spree with desertion and punish
him with accordingly long term impris-
enment So the government allows ten
leave If he does not return within
that time, he is listed as a deserter
His description is furnished the Mime
apolls and st. Paul police, the Chicago
police, the officials at the point where
he enlisted, and at his home. If a
man goes deliberately about his plans
to desert, that is, tells his comrades of
his intention to take 'French leave,'
and sells them his soldiers outfit, he
may be arrested right on the reserva-
tion and punished for the manifest in
had gone. This has happened in a num-
Der Of cases. But the man who keeps
his plans to himself can easily desert.
It is but matter of walking boldly off
the reservation and effectually hiding
before ten days are up. And it may be
said that as a result Of the "ten-d day
rule' but a small number of deserters
are ever recaptured.
With punishment for desertion comes,
supposedly, loss Of citizenship. The
man is no longer privileged American
with right to vote.
"That s the theory Of it, said a
Smelling officer in explaining the mat
ter, "but the truth is that such man
simply goes to some new place, as
sumes another name, and if he behaves
himself is permitted to vote at every
election and have all the rights of cit
izenship.'
It is sometimes true that especially
disagreeable work causes soldiers to de-
sert. This was demonstrated recently
at Fort Smelling when the new rifle range
lance below the fort, on the river bot.
TOMS At that time the river was ex
ceptionally high, and the men had to
| work from morning till night in water
| and mud, sometimes but a few inches
| deep, other times up to their waists
Three men deserted right on the range
| Smelling an Ideal Post.
| Yet for the man who likes the life Of
a soldier there is surely no more desir
able post for residence than Fort Smell
ing. The barracks for the enlisted mel
are either brand new or newly modelled
| and modernized. The men have com
Portable quarters, with every convent
ence, including shower and tub baths
| They have hours for recreation every
day, and amusements in large variety
| including all forms of athletics. There
are dances and social gatherings il
abundance for the enlisted men as vel
as the officers. And if they tire of tn
joyments, a man in good standing cal
always get leave Of absence to visi
MINNEAPOLIS or ST. Paul during the da..
or evening. True, the enlisted MAJ
has but SIC month to spend, but h
has nothing to spend it for but 1uxu
ries. He is supplied all his clothing
all his soldiers equipment, hi
board and place to sleep, and every
thing that can be in any way classe
as necessity.
+ The enlisted man at Fort Smelling ha
little cause to desert, and it is not tn
real soldier who is doing the DESERVING
It is the raw recruit, who is only a so
; der in that he wears the honorable blu
and who had pictured life at the fort 6
all play and no work.