Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-06
Feminine Preparedness
BY Frederic ]. Haskin

At first there were paper napkins but
during the second week of the en-
campment these ran out and were
superseded by embroidered handker-
chiefs-and khaki -
After breakfast there are drills
and lessons in warcraft. Naval in
'structors instruct squads Of debu-
tante soldiers in the intricacies of
wireless and wigwagging, while 9TH
ers are learning to make bandages,
pillows for the wounded and listening
to lectures on dietetics During these,
the very strictest military discipline
is maintained and the girls wear a
look of dignified importance. Groups
of khaki-clad figures may be seen
around the telegraph instrument. at
the sewing machine, taking notes on
dletetic demonstration or watching a
naval officer wave red flag in weird
gestures signifying various important
things. ,.
Government bulletins on household
economics are at the disposal of the
students and several well known
authorities have given and will con-
tinue to give interesting talks on sub
iects relating to military life, such as
health and sanitation, European meth
DDS of taking care of the wounded,
Red Cross duties and the preparation
Of food and clothing for the Red Cross
hospitals. These lectures are open
to the day students attending the
camp, of whom there are about Ave
hundred. as well as the public in
general. Even should the United
States manage to escape war, this in
formation IS OF inestimable value to
society women who constitute the
major support OF the American Red
Cross which has sent so much assist
ance. both in supplies and money, to
the sufferers of Europe 5.
At o'clock. however, the camp
loses its studiOus appearance and there
ensues recreation period during
which 1t receives visitors, and the ice
cream parlors across the way, erected
temporarily for the purpose. does a
f1Ourishing business in ice cream
cones and lemonade. Male visitors are
paraded proudly about by military
damsels, who take equal pleasure in
exhibiting the camp to their compan-
ions and their companions to the
camp. Two stalwart policemen guard
the entrance and question all sus-
picious looking visitors, their blue uni
amid the prevailing khaki The off,
Ger Of the day meets all persons
passed by the policemen and inquiries
into their business in much the same
manner as one receiving at a tea. The
camp is for the time being without
discipline. The fascination Of wig
wagging is almost always evident.
Girls may be seen fourishing their
arms in all directions in ambitious
imitation OF the young naval officer,
while others pose in military attitudes
at the doors of their tents and still
others simply stand and chatter in
groups. The military salute is very
much in vogue. Every time girl
passes any Of the Officers, whether
captain, first lieutenant, second lieu
tenant or corporal she salutes, and as
this happens at least twice every sec
ond it is really remarkable that the
tendons Of the right arm do not be-
come paralyzed But it Is all very
gratifying to the adoring mammas and
aunties who expect to see something
Of the kind.
Everybody Is always back in time
for supper, when the same pro-
nounced appetites are evidenced, in
spite of numerous cones and lemon
AIDES consumed during the day BY 10
o'clock the camp has assumed its most
military appearance. Rows of dark
tents are barely visible In the rehec-
ton Of the avenues electric lights.
All the recruits are sleeping of a
healthy, mental and physical fatigue,
with the exception of the colonel, who.
Of course is bending furrowed brow
over the maps of warm this case
letters from hundreds of applicants.
Nothing is heard but the click Of the
typewriter turning out replies.
Thus have the women Of America
taken up preparedness. The visitor
to the Chevy Chase camp usually goes
away somewhat impressed. He may
smile at the homogeneous juxtaposition
of certain distinctly feminine attri.
butes with the paraphernalia of
battle and sudden death, but beneath
the smile there will be respect For
the spirit Of the camp is the growing
spirit OF America 81. -2