Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-01-03
The New Army
Commune ION Page ono

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in for Inspection; battalions parading;
brigades moving off for maneuvers; bat
teries clanking in from the ranges; they
were all supple. free and intelligent. and
moved with a lift and drive that made
one sing for Joy
! Only three months ago that entire col
lection poured into vaicartier camp in
pink shorts and straw hats. desperately
afraid they might not be in time. Since
then they have been taught several
things. Notably. that the more indepen-
dent the individual soldier. the more does
he need forethought and endless care
when he is in bulk.
Learning Lots Of Things.
Just because we were all used to look
ing after ourselves In civil life" said an
officer, we used to send parties out
without ratlons. And the parties used to
go. too. And we expected the boys to
look after their own feet But we've got
wiser now"
They're learning the same thing In the
new army" said; company officers
have 20 be taught to be mothers and
housekeeDers and sanitary inspectors
Where do your men come from?'
Tell me some place that they don't
come FROM" said he. and could not
The men had rolled up from everywhere
between the Arctic circle and the border.
and I was told that those who could not
get into the first contingent were moving
heaven and earth and local politicians
TO get into the second.
There's some use in politics now" that
officer reflected. But It's going to thin
the voting lists at home"
! good many OF the old South African
crowd (the rest are coning) we're present
and awfully correct. Men last met Gs
privates at between De Aar and Belmont
were captains and majors now, while one
lad who, TO the best OF his ability had
painted Cape Town pink In those fresh
years, was a grim noncom. worth his
disciplined weight In dollars.
Made "A "Father" of Him.
II didn't remind Dan OF old times when
he turned up at the Valcartier disguised
as respectable citizen" said my in
formant. II just roped him In for my
crowd. He's a father to 'em. He
knows"
And have you many CHEEKY souls COM
ing on7' 1 asked.
Not many; but It's always the same
with a first contingent. You take every
thing that offers and weed the bravoes
out later"
I'VE don't weed said an officer of ar
tiilery. ANY one that has had his pas
sage paid for by tho Canadian govern
ment stays with us till he eats out OF our
hand. And no does They make the best
men in the ion grun," he added. 1
thought OF friend Of mine who IL now
disnbusing two or three "old soldiers
In a service corps OF the idea that they
can run the battalion. and laughed. The
gunner was right "old soldiers" after a
little loving care, become valuable and
virtuous
i company OF foot was drawn I'D under
the Ice OF a fir plantation behind us.
They were miniature OF the army as
the army was OF the people, and one could
feel the impact OF strong personality al
most like blow.
i In the Matter of Wood.
IF you'd believe IT," said a cavalry
man, we're forbidden 70 cut into that
little wood lot. yonderl Not one stick Of
Il may we havei We could make shelters
for ours horses In day out of that
stuff"
But its t!mberr' l gasped. Sacred
tame treesi"
''oh. we know what wood isl They issue
II to us by the pound. Wood TO burn--by
the pohndl What's wood for. anyway
And when do you think we shall be-
allowed 20 go9' some one asked not for
the first time.
by ana by" said /. And then you'u
have TO detail half your army TO see that
your equipment ISN'T stolen from you. {"
What" cried an old Strathcona horse.
Are we going to be with those blanky
oueenslanders again?" He looked
anxiously toward the horse lines. Il Il
pleasant to hear satan rebuking sinl
Il was thinking OF your mechanical
transport and your travelling workshops
and few other things that you've got.
You won't have your horses stolen"
I'd you mean 10 hint that Strath-
eona's ever stole a horse?" he asked.
mo. No more than the Australians s.
and ! got away from those large men
on their windy hilltop and slid through
mud and past mechanical transport aud
troops untold toward Lark Hill. On the
way passed three fresh cut pine sticks
laid and notched one atop OF tho Other
to shore up a cavlng bank. Trust a
Canadian or a beaver within gunshot OF
standing timberl
Engineers and Appliances,
Lark Hill IL where the Canadian enEi-
neers live, In the midst of proflgate
abundance OF tools and carts. pontoor
wagons. field telephones and othei
mouth-watering gear. Hundreds OF tn