The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-15

as much OF a luxury among the refugees
as they are among their American cap
tors. With eggs worth cents apiece they
are not very common even among those
outside the camp. There are two game
roosters in the camp. and after they had
eaten their fill of the crumbs from the
table. the first they had had in some
time. they Immediately challenged each
other to a duel. They put up fierce light
for awhile. but were separated when the
owner of one of the birds thought his
prize was in danger of injury. And dogsl
There are more dogs in Fort Bliss than
ever before in the history of the place.
Nearly every Mexican family has from
one to three dogs There are big dogs.
little dogs, fat dogs Uather those that
have been faD, slim dogs brown dogs.
white dogs. and every kind and deserip-
ton of dogs including some that cannot
be described. They are all as nearly
starved as their owners and it is ban
quet for them to clean up the scraps after
meal time. They are a nuisance as they
prowl about the camp and into the Amer
iean quarters and keep the khaki clad
troopers busy fighting them off.
The common soldiers seem to be alb
solutely contented with their lot. With
their stomachs full of wholesome food and
have not care in the word. They loaf
around playing games and smoking cigar
cites At night the lighted ends of thou
sands of cigarettes shining in the dark
ness reminds one of an immense drove of
firefiies.
We saw the United States troopers Is
suing rations. The soldiers and refugees
We're formed in line In their company
streets and the wagons loaded with beef
and other good things drove by and
passed out the days supply to each COM
pany. They are given the regular army
artion. IL Is necessary to form the SOL
diers and refugees In line and keep them
there until the issue Is completed. In or
der TO keep some of the women and chill
dren from getting more than their share.
They will hide what they have and come
back for a second "hand OUT If they are
not watched. The children will slip
around and try to steal out of the wagon.
They have been without food so long that
they seem To fear that the supply will
give out.
The various commands now reorganized
are formed for roll call twice daily. And,
aqueer as II may seem. the number is on
the increase rather than the decrease.
There is very little desire among them
TO escape. Instead. hungry Mexicans are
seen standing outside the guard lines
in. Several babies have been born In the
last few days, thereby increasing the pop
ulation of the camp TO some extent.
General Mercado and his STAFF have been
assigned quarters on the eastern edge of
the camp, some distance from the others.
The family of the general have arrived
at the fort and are sharing his quarters
with him Richly dressed and aristo-
cratic in their manners, they stil prefer
TO share the hardships of the detention
camp with the husband and father rather
than take up their abode In the city. Mex
lean women of all classes are very de-
voted and will endure almost any hard
ship in order to be with those they love.
Believing that their place is with their
men they do everything In their power
to provide cheer and comfort for them.
Among the common soldiers the camp
work Is all done by the women. They
take all the drudgery from the men in
order to leave them always fresh and
ready for the fight.
Everything Is now I'm good order and the
camp has settled down to the regular rou-
tine. The prisoners will probably be kept
here until affairs in Mexico are settled,
when they will be disposed of as the gov
ernment decides at that time.