Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-01

tonary Forces, Colonia Dublan, March
3-(By motor truck to Columbus, N. NJ.
March 3)-Establishment Of field bak-
cry on plantation near headquarters
has released half dozen automobiles for
other work which up to today have been
distributing bread baked on the United
States border, among the columns of the
expedition.
The new field kitchens, comprising two
enormous ovens. are capable Of turning
out $500 one-pound loaves Of bread daily.
Days Ration
A one.pound loaf Of army bread is
davis ration for a soldier in the field.
The estimated cost of carrying this
bread from the border to the bases in au-
tomobile trucks was $50 per day for gas
oline fuel alone. More important than
the saving in money was the release OF
automobiles and other transport facili-
ties for carrying additional supplies. The
space released can furnish, for example.
a daily grain supply for about one regi-
ment Of cavalry horses.
The bread baked at the new ovens is
from native Mexican flour, the first OBJ
tanned by the expeditionary columns.
The ovens were made of native brick and
adobe mud. Each oven has large fire
box. enclosed on all sides by very tn ok
brick and mud walls. A wood fire is
built in this box, burning for about an
hour, until the temperature in the box is
about 600 degrees. Then the fire is re-
moved quickly. wet cloth on a pole
wipes out the wood ashes and on wood
en- ladle with a handle about 20 feet long
dough loaves are deposited in the firebox.
In about an hour they are done. The
process is repeated every two hours
without interruption, day or night, the
bakers working in eight-hour shifts. The
Yeast for this bread had been made from
Mexican potatoes. A little sugar is put
into the dough.
A Valuable Experiment
Whatever the outcome of the chase for
Villa, it is evident that the presence of
the army here in Mexico. under General
Pershing, is giving opportunity for an
actual test of the military inventions
under service conditions. The "a motor
trucks doing transport duty are under
test in a country without roads, where
hill and mountain climbing on rocky
trails are necessary if the army is to
subsist.
The big trucks not only have done all
expected of them but they have in sew
eral respects outdone the famous lighter
makes of automobiles in pacemaking un.
der difficult conditions.
The aviation service is working UNI
der conditions calculated to living out
sharply every necessity which may be
considered in increasing the aeroplare
establishment.
The infantry in the field already has
met the problem Of living in II coun-
try which is virtually without salt.
With the expectation that it would in
part live off the country through which
1t is passing. paying for what it con-
sumed. even the scanty food supplies
which were anticipated in the devast-
ated Chihuahua districts have not all
materialized Most of the available
pork. for example, has been found in
fected with trichinae. These and other
incidents have complicated an already
difficult transportation situation,
throwing the army upon its resources
to work out quick substitutes for the
ordinary means Of subsistence.
Forced Marches eSted
Practically, however. it is under
stood that the field forces. by hard
work, endurance of the cavalrymen
and horses and the remarkable march,
ing powers displayed by the infantry
men have made up for a considerable
portion of this handicap. Adaptation
of the troops to emergencies have fur
nj to nhioct 1eSSnnS
to which American armies can be
driven on forced marches.
The Camp Life
This was a hot day at the head
quarters camp, the men seeking relief
in fishing. swimming and such other
customary American recreations as
they could devise on a broad and ex-
tremely dusty mesa, with small ice
cold river running through it. There
was not a fish hook in the entire camp
this morning, but by night the supply
Of nails, pins and needles had been
visibly reduced. having been hammer
ed and twisted into fishing tackle
which really caught fish. For lines the
men used small rope or thick cord.
During the rest hours in camp
among the soldiers hardly a word Of
discussion about the significance Of
this Mexican expedition was heard.
The officers, however discussed the
Mexican situation guardedly, from
many angles, but all of those in camp
here were outspoken about one desire,
namely to hurry southwark and join
the pursuit of Villa.
Today at headquarters the men
stopped using the creek water and OBJ
tanned water from shallow wells dug
since the base was established here.
Now each organization has been al
lowed swimming hole along the
creek
Country Devastated
The country over which Gen. Pershing's
march has been made is destitute Gen.
Pershing's commands have not been able
10 live off the resources of the territory
passed. being devastated by four years
OF Villa warfare.
Wireless and aeroplanes have assisted
IN maintaining the 300-mile line into Mex
'co' but the cavalry has outdistanced ev-
erythng except the aeroplanes. The
wireless is pushing forward some dis
lance behind the forward columns. The
aeroplanes are now going through vir-
tuaily all the way The only advice the