Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-22
Secretary Baker and Other
Military Officials to See Drill
at Camp Meade.
HOLIDAY PASSES FOR MEN
Special correspondence Of The Star.

|
Thousands of visitors are expected to
witness the spectacle, when more thar
10000 soldiers will be assembled and
inspected.
| Bright and early the men were turn
| ed out to make everything spick and
span for the occasion. They cleaned
their guns, polished their metal equip
ment and made spotless their uniforms
under the supervision of their i'm
mediate superiors.
1t is big day at the camp, for fol-
lowing the review of Brig. Gen: Nichol-
sons troops. the first contingent of
men who have obtained pass privileges
will leave the cantonment.
Place Radiates With Happiness.
The entire place radiates happiness
today over the military spectacle and
the generous granting of furloughs to
the men. The latter undertaking has
been badly misunderstood or interpret
ed by many of the persons who have
been overzealous in having the boys
enjoy visiting their folks during the
coming week
Many of the military officials. includ-
ing Gen. Nicholson, have been much
misauoted regarding the situation dur
ing the many changes of orders and the
attempt to interpret the motives be-
hind such movements
The latest error CAME near causing a
break that might have resulted in many
of the boys losing their opportunity to
get home during the holidays.
To correct such impressions Gen.
Nicholson again emphasized the fact
that all soldiers would not be released
at the same time, nor that they would
all enjoy being home to eat their
Christmas dinner, although probably
each man in good standing will be
given pass for some period during
the next ten days.
To prevent congestion on the rail-
roads and electric lines the matter has
been systematized SO that only a por-
ton of the camp garrison will be away
at one time. Further. this will not
hamper the progress of the training
course.
To illustrate the point, IS per cent of
the District soldiers will be permitted
to leave the cantonment at O'Clock
this evening, with orders to return at
Ii am. December "a. Another incre-
ment OF the same size will depart from
here about noon of the 24th with passes
granting them leave until 1 am. De-
eemoer u The third contingent will
am December 81 The final group of
District boys is scheduled to leave
camp at noon the 31st and can remain
away until l am. January 2
The same schedule is in effect for the
soldiers that live in Baltimore and
other sections of Maryland Another
plan is being formulated for the SOL
diers who live at distant points. such
as Philadelphia and other parts of
eastern Pennsylvania
In the enthusiasm that fol1owed the
announcement that the soldiers had
their Christmas passes restored. lib
eral translation of the matter was given
much publicity. For instance it was re-
Ia,ed. Gen, Nicholson said. that all the
soldiers of the cantonment would be
with their folks on Christmas day
which is not only untrue. but a direct
violation of the orders issued by the
War Department.
But the passes and the review will not
be the only bright spots in the pro-.
gram of the day at Camp Meade. 1t will
also mark the beginning of the elab-
crate Yuietide festivities to be held
for the liberty boys who will be in
camp for the next few days.
Most active in this form of enter
tainment is the Y. NJ. C. A, which has
mapped out a series of social affairs
for all the green bungalows the asso-
citation has provided for the boys of
the Liberty Division.
Entertainments Tonight.
Tonight there will be movies ana
vaudeville entertainments in eight Of
the huts, while a. basket ball fray will
be staged in the big auditorium To-
morrow special religious services win
be held with appropriate ceremony for
the coming Yuletide.
The social activities will be resumed
in the form of amusements Monday.
when duslly carol singers from the
negro regiments win tour the canton
ment in motor trucks warbling Christ
mas carols and darby melodies.
During the late night hours the negro
singers. plus their string instrument
jazz" players. will serenade the SOL
diers in the different barracks, loudly
proclaiming Christmas eve lis var"
In the bungalows will be Christmas
trees. Christmas talks and fun and
other forms of entertainment. In addi-
ton to this the soldiers are planning
to hold informal gatherings in their
own barracks, during which the COM
pany comedians, singers. player-pianos
and monologists will provide amuse-
ment for their. comrades.
Christmas night the Y NJ C. A..
bungalows will have moving pictures
and special features. The District SOL
diers are planning big celebration on
this night. while the 314th Infantry
has fixed gigantic regimental party,
with bonfires. enormous Christmas
trees and special entertainment. It will
be held outdoors. rain, snow or hail,
according to Col. Darrab, the COM
mander. and sponsor of the plan