The Washington herald., 1917-12-23


equipment had not extended to Camp
Meade.
Lined up In dress parade formation.
they were addressed by Secretary
Baker. Because OF the fact that only
q limited number Of the soldiers were
within the zone of his voice, his re-
marks were limited 10 extending con-
gratulations to Gen. Nicholson and
his stan and the soldiers themselves.
Secretary Baker Speaks.
at Is a particularly Significant spec
tacle that We witness here this after
noon" he said. I'VE ind here 5000
were engaged In all kinds OF civil pur-
suits. Thrust into an entirely new en-
vironment-a life essentially different
from that to which they have been ac-
customed-their proficiency. as dis
played after only limited training. Is a
concrete illustration that their hearts
as well as their bodies have been
given TO America and the cause to
which every true American stands
pledged"
II congratulate you, Gen. Nichol-
son, your officers and particularly the
rank and file of the men l see before
me today. American men have never
failed in a crisis. They will not fail
now In our determination to show
that in making the world safe for
democracy we are also making democ-
racy safe for the world"
The general appearance OF the
men indicated that the training has
put them in the pink of condition,
and gives the lie to rumors ema-
mating from pro-German propagan-
da that Camp Meade 10 suffering
from epIdemics of smallpox and
pneumonia.
List Of FurIoughs.
Following the interview, the men
marched to their headquarters and
the start of the Christmas festivi-
ties was on. The entire camp ra-
dated happiness over the success
Of the review and the generous
granting OF furloughs. About IS
per cent OF the District soldiers left
for Washington at 8 p. m. with fur
loughs until IL a. m. Monday. An
other increment of the same size
will depart from here about noon
Monday with passes good until / a.
m. December p. The third contin-
gent will have from noon December
90. until IL a. M, December 81. The
final group of District boys is
scheduled to leave camp at noon
the 3lst and can remain away un-
Ill l a. NJ. January 2.
The wisdom of dividing the fur
!oughs in order to prevent conges-
ton on the trains was apparent af-
ter the review. when hundreds OF
tho spectators had to walk to the
Odenton station and some to Naval
Academy Junction through inabll-
ity to get on the loop trains into
the camp.
In the eight Y. NJ. c. A. huts and
in the main auditorium there were
vaudeville and moving picture en-
tertainments and today appropriate
Yuletide religious services will fea-
ture the Y. NJ. c. AS and knights
of Columbus building.
Monday the social activities will
be resumed with carol singing.
dancing. Christmas trees, vaudeville
and the distribution of delicacies and
presents from the friends back home.
Every barracks in the cantonment
has a holiday atmosphere, with ever
green. holly and pine decorations.
N'on ~.
Christmas night the Y. NJ. c. a.
bungalows VIII have moving pictures
and special features. the District
soldiers will have special celebra-
ton and the 31Ith Infantry has ar
ranged for bonfires and an outdoor
celebration, rain. snow or hail, &C.
cording TO Col. Darrah. the command
er and sponsor for the plan.
To Gen. Nicholson goes the bulk
Of the credit for the splendid show
ing today. He has worked far into
The night with the object in view
Of making the first regimental re-
view one that could serve as the
highest standard for the other can
comments and the general opinion was
that he succeeded to a marked de-
e'o~' "A "a SSINlCo " lIe