The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-08

determine there have been no out
breaks or assaults in this district
since our arrival | have talked with
hundreds of other militiamen that ar
rived soon after the cali. and with
out an exception they say that condi-
tions are the same as they were on
their arrival.
This has led most of the men to be-
lieve that someone (who knowsO has
forfeited solemn trust and betrayed
the solemn unwritten covenant. Some
of us have about concluded that we
have been made the goats, or doped,
or roped in, and instead of fighting
or rather, instead of being home-we
are doing patrol duty (which in my
opinion is farce. Most of the men
believe that this is useless and not
the object or duty Of the National
Guard The enthusiastic patriotism is
learning little that will enable us to
earn a livelihood. In fact, when we
get out of this-I dare not put the
name) we shall be in a worse condi-
ton. or rather position. to make liv-
ing. than before-our jobs gone, bus
mess ruined, sweethearts married
and mothers and babies are crying for
our return While we are marking
time. in fact going backward. some
one has stepped up and taken our
place and is advancing.
While | can not trace this to any
official source, it is rumored that
some of the army officials have stat
ed that the object of the mobilization
of the National Guard was for train
ing only; while Rupert Hughes init
mates that the object was to break
up the National Guard. | cannot say
which was the object, but granting
that both are correct, the mobiliza-
ton and the exile Of the guard has
proven a huge success. We are
trained and probably when the militia
returns this will also be broken up.
There are other reasons that cause
this "contentment" which for reasons
or fears of omnipotent authorities, as
stated before. | shall not mention.
Being an American. and brought up
in the atmosphere of freedom (per-
sonal. free press, and SPECIFY, equali-
ty and independence, could you be
contented to be member of an auto
cratic organization in the most demo-
cratic government of the world
where the line is drawn between Of
ficers and men tighter than between
the white and the black. where some
of the authorities are ruling and run
ming things their way" who are hard
ly capable of running their own fam
lilies. where men are over you that
you cannot respect and would not as
sociate with in civil life? Would you
be happy to live in a place where the
ptopit VI tudt place. tOHSlutT yOu
tie better than a negro? Would you
enjoy living in place where you are
welcomed only on payday and then to
receive no courtesies other than your
money demands? Would it feel very
pleasant to go into a store to make
purchase and be greeted with what
you want,"-or, in other words, what
in the devil are you doing here?"
Would you consider yourself well
cared for if on four-day march your
shoes were worn out, no socks. irreg-
ular scarcity of water and when every
meal consisted of slice Of corn beef
and a mixture of tomatoes and bread?
Yes. we agree with these official
correspondents" that the militiaman's
life is full of case. comforts, luxury,
happiness joy and contentment, and
that the border is a haven of bliss.
Do we? You answer.
Iarado Tayoc Dan 1Q1c