Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-20
PERSH|NG''S TROOPS
AMER|CAN|zE TOWN
French Wonder at Pistols and
Equipment of Expedl-
tionary Force.
sIBERT INsPEcTs CAMP
By the Associated Press.

AMERICAN TRAINING CAMP IN
FRANCE. July 20.-The encampment Of
morphosed this thoroughly and dis
tinctively French town into an Ameri-
can community, Notwithstanding the
fact that the soldiers have taken nota-
customs and habits Of their hosts.
Yesterday an American corporal
opened a barber shop in the abandoned
quarters of a one-time French barber.
who now is at the front Almost i'm
mediately the American cornered vtr-
tually all the trade in town. He had
so many customers. both French ana
American, that he announced that bust
ness here was far better than in his
previous army shops in Manila. Ha-
waii. Alaska and on the Mexican bor-
der.
As the kits have been unpacked
ance and the daily military concerts
are supplemented by informal phono-
graph recitals. The French soldiers
who are camping adjacent to the Amer
American equipment and its practical
bility. They particularly praise the
cotton belt worn by the Americans.
which they say has not an equal as q
tudinous gear, such as cartridges. pis-
toll knife and other things.
Wonder at Pistols.
They express wonder at the huge
number of soldiers among tho Ameri-
can troops who carry pistols They ad-
mire also the new harness and the
trappings of horses and mules. and
envy every American soldier his COM
Portable cot and sleeping equipment.
Likewise they marvel at the tnde-
Ssndence of the Americsn oficers. who
shN almost entirely for themselves.
withoat the aid of the customary or
derlies and servants.
Several Thousand soldiers were made
happy today when as many letters or
packages arrived and were distributed
among the various camps. 1t was Tor
Hnany, II not for most Of the men. the
first mail they had received since leav-
ing the United States. and it was more
welcome than anything else could have
been.
The original addresses on the letters
indicated often how long the families
of men had been out of touch with>
was addressed in care OF the former
assignments of regiments-for in
stance the Mexican border and west
ern forts. Others had found their way
withstanding the addresses; others
had been addressed to the recipients at
Washington in care Of the War Depart
ment. while the others had been for
rious regiments.
The mail here has been put in charge
Of one Of the army chaplains. who thus
has a busy week between his Sunday
duties and his work as postmaster. All
letters and packages are forwarded
from Paris and must be sorted and dis
tributed under his direction. Likewise
he has charge of all the outgoing mail.
which is turned over to him after hav-
ing been censored by company officers
Though he has been working on the
complicated problem only a short time.
the chaplain already has evolved a
thoroughgoing system which tnsures
the soldiers receiving their mail with
in a few hours after its arrival. The
outgoing mail for the United States
leaves by way Of Paris once daily.
Gen. Sibert Inspects Camp.
Mai. Gen. William L. sibert went
through his entire camp today on the hrst
official inspection tour he has made. From
early morning until late in the afternoon
he made the rounds and did not call It q
day until he had examined each set OF
quarters and inspected virtually every man
in his command
As the entire army 10 divided INTO squads,
the majority of which are billeted out
with the inhabitants Of the district, the
task of inspection was tremendous one
and could be achieved only by the amazing
stafr off their legs and set pace obviously
stin for the youngest OF the men. The
result of the inspection was apparently
satisfactory in the main, for the general
good word for the results achieved by
the troops in cleaning up the quarters into
which they have moved.
Here and there he found lack OF clean
illness and proper sanitation, which he or
,dered rectifed. Occasionally also in pass
ing in front of the troops lined up for his
examination he found time to stop and ex-
change word and ask questions.
The inspection trip began punctua1ly
ut 1880 o'clock in tho morning. for the
general is an early riser, and At noon
enough to snatch q hasty luncheon be-
fore starting out again. Rain fell in .
steady stream most Of the time, but
that did not deter the inspection in the
slightest.
Give Away Insignia.
Gen. sibert early noted that many Of
the soldiers were without tho regu1a-
ton bronze button bearing tho letters
U. S. which is worn on the collar. In
vestigatfon showed that some of the
men had actually lost the insignia,
while others had thoughtlessIy given
their button away to admirers. Three
aids were constantly at the generals
terations or noting recommendations,
while the officers Of each regiment Wis
tied followed as closely as the generals
pace would permit. explaining details
and arrangements.
The French residents at various
points viewed the inspection curiously,
but enthusiastically and occasionally
cheered the general and his staff
The day was holiday in part for the
troops. for the inspection relieved them
of drill for the period Of It's duration.