South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-08-24
Life Along Border
Not As Dark As
Has Been Painted

tentment OF national guardsmen
along the Mexican border. Letters
come daily 10 establish this fact.
one published below is illustra-
tive. II was sent direct 10 Pres't
Wilson and has just been released
by the army censor, Major Douglas
Macarthur. II was written by pri-
vate in Co. r, first Iowa infantry
stationed at san Benito. Tex, and
tells it's own story. The name Of
the writer was withheld but il is
certain that he is worthy TO be
soldier OF his country when a crisis
calls The letter follows:
Hon. Dear Sir-It is most un-
usual that a private should take
the liberty Of addressing the presi-
dent. and I would not do so except
that certain newspapers. newspaper
men. and "A very few soft-handed
guardsmen have created a series Of
wild yarns regarding our alleged
mistreatment in the mobilization
camps.
4 am both a soldier and news
paper man. and ] believe most firm
ly that never have soldiers Of any
country been better treated than we
have been: that never before have
men joining the service OF their
country found their health and gem
eral well-being so carefully looked
after. And in the light OF all this
care and attention IL does seem TO
me ONLY right that 7 should bear
witness for my own part 10 the truth
Of the situation ! cannot under
stand why any protests OF mistreat-
ment should be made, except that
it may he that IL has been found
that an occasional cold meal or the
digging of a ditch Tor sanitary rea-
sons can be turned into excellent
political material by those who do
not greatly care what they say.
Life for Red BIOOded Men.
But. as 2 matter Of cold. hard
fact. the men of the guard are
leading now just the sort of lives
that young men with red blood an
their veins would like to lead
ITS up at the dawn for us as the
clear notes OF the bugle peal. and
then it's into line for morning ex-
ercise And afterwards comes the
first mess of the day-breakfast
Coffee. Steaming hot bacon and
army beans and good white bread.
Then we police up our quarters
clean up. and a few minutes after
ward we fall in for a drill or
hike
After drill comes rest. and then
mess. Afterwards there is another
drill in the afternoon. or possibly
there is some ditching 10 be done
about the camps. and we fall 10 with
spades and picks When it's that
sort of work. the men are divided
into two or three reliefs, and each re-
lief digs for SO many minutes, and
the good honest perspiration which
results from this surely hurts no
one.
Then follows brief rest period
during which we visit the excellent
shower baths and bathe in their
white spray Then comes mess, and
afterwards retreat during which
we stand to attention as the solemn,
ever glorious old notes Of our ma
tional air are played. The men are
then dismissed and are free 10 go
about the camp. 10 write home or do
anything else in reason.
Glad of Chance TO Serve.
And then, at 10 o'clock it's taps,
and the cool stars CLEAN from a
cloudless Texas sky upon the rows
and rows of pale tents.
These are the real conditions
under which we. Of the new citizen
army, live. Could conditions be more
ideal? Could any young man enjoy
anything finer?
Those of US who compose the
great majority OF the guard dc not
think so. and | feel that / voice
the spirit of that great majority
when / extend thanks for this OPP
portunity Of service
so far we have been called upon
TO give only little. The sacrifice of
our time from our jobs at home is
small. indeed compared 10 the great
sacrifice the men in Europe have
been called upon 10 make II we are
| called upon TO make similar Sacri-
fees we hope to he able 10 make
them gladly and freely for the things
we have been taught to hold dear
And in the light of the willing
ness and cheerfulness Of all the
/ young men, who are enjoying this
experience. who are being looked
after so carefully. it did seem 10
me that private Citizen-soldie
might raise his voice against the
cracking noise of few malcontents
/ and self-seekers who have sought TO
\ give all sorts Of erroneous impress
sions Of the things that really are"
Georgian Finds All Well.
Mai Macarthur also made public
/ the text Of a letter written Aug. Z,
| by the father of a Georgia guards
man 10 "A third party, and forwarded
| 10 Sec'y Of War Baker. as follows:
Il see by the papers that the Gus
tomary crop Of critics is complaining
| at the administration OF the war de-
partment and its treatment OF the
militia. IL has occurred 10 me that
/ the secretary of war may be interest
ed 10 know that the Georgia troops
are in fine spirits and prospecting in
every way l went 10 Camp Harris. a
I few DAYS after they were concen-
itrated there. and personally inspected
I