The Washington herald., 1917-10-03
D. {. BOYS HIKE
over 3 MILES
Experience the First Real
Pedestrian Test at
Camp Meade.
By ANDREW r.. KELLEY.

Camp Meade. Admiral. Md. Oct.
2.-Ovcr the hill and over the dales
went the first quota of the Districts
representatives in the national army
today.
II was the first real hike that the
washingtonians had experienced, and
when taps sounded tonight there
were few men who were not anxious
TO hit the hay"
There was no particular objective
when the men started out, but when
they had traversed a trifie Of over
three miles the leaders led them into
a pear orchard to break ranks. At
tack upon the pears was complete
success.
Company \ also hiked. and its
turning point was a tomato farm
that tonight is very much depleted.
Boys Well Fed.
one OF NapOieOn's famous remarks
was that "an army travels upon its
stomach" II the famous French
commander spoke the truth. the 3l2th
Machine Gun Battalion will go much
further in the days to come than
hitherto, for the food has been no.
tieeably improved.
All OF the District boys reported
that not only had they been given
enough 10 cat but the quality and
variety Of eatables was vastly su-
peTior to that served in the first four
days OF camp life.
The hopes of many men who have
pinned their faith on discharges be-
cause OF minor physical ailments,
went a glimmering today when ply
sicians announced that the number of
discharges for disability would be
limited
Instead Of releasing selected men
who fail TO meet the rigid physical
requirements of the army doctors,
the men are to be kept on the rolls
OF the national army and subjected
10 a course Of treatment that will re-
store them TO normal health.
Men afflicted with serious eve
troubles or chronic diseases that in
capacitate them for army service will
be sent home, but very few men at
this camp come within this class.
Briefly. the army doctors propose
10 reconstruct scores Of the men. and
through the aid of medical science
build up their bodies to such q high
point of efficiency that they will be
able to take their places with the
very strongest.
The attitude OF the conscientious
ClieCtOrs To war was defined ycster-
day in statement by Benjamin
RoOp. Of Westminster. Md. None Of
these men are obliged to drill or take
part iE the army work until the At
torney General has passed upon their
status. They include QuakCrs. Dunk
ards. McnnoniteS. and others whose
religious prinCIpsls are against war.
RHOp said: Il want II understood
that | am a. good patriot as any
man iu this laud. { was within half
? mite Of the Mexican border when
I received nv summons. and could
have easily avoided the draft. I did
rot care to do that. 50 / returned
home. While here I shall insist upon
M rights. ana shall protest against
service that involves the killing of
g human being ] am willing to take
an assiCncmcnt with some sanitary
Udt. or with an organization that
performs a work Of mercy upon the
tcld I feel that ! am voicing the
f"elIG= Of other conscientious object
urs who are here"
Warning Against Booze.
An emphatic warming AGAINST
bringing WHISKY into camp was sound
ed today. and il was announced that
the. military police will be doubled
Additional facilities for prisoners who
violate this rule will be erected near
Admiral
Lieut.. Col. Ross announced that
henCetorth visitors viii not be well
come unless they obtain a pass Even
then, few as possible are desired II
iS A stern business going on here.
While the spectacle of 1900 men in
training is thrilling and at times daz-
zling, Gen. Kuhn feels he is not run
,-inr q ahn,r- fnr Tia .rn-ra.