Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-03
GOOD CARE IS TAKEN
OF U. S. FIGHTING FORCE
Startling Contrast Is Drawn Be-
tween Conditions on Mexican
Border and Present.
WHAT is DONE FOR TROOPS
President Says No Army Has Ever
Had More Painstaking or Thor.
ough Care Given es tho Present
National Army.
Especial to The Times-Dispa,ch.]

Especial to The Times Dispatch
WASHINGTON. June 2.-Presideni
Wilson declared In statement made
public here to-day by the commissions
en- training camp activities that every
| cndeavor is being made to surround
our fighting men with the kind OF
environment which democracy owes
to those lighting in its behalf.
Il do not believe It," he added, IAN
cXaggeration to say that no army ever
before assembled in history has had
more conscientious and painstakinG
thought given to the protection and
stimulation OF its mental. moral and
physical manhood. In this work the
commissions on training camp activi-
ties have represented the government
and the governments solicitude that
the moral and spiritual resources OF
the nation should be modified behind
the troops"
The President's statement appears IN
Keeping Our FiEhters-For War and
After" an official account OF the edu-
cational and recreational activities In
the army and naval training ca,ups,
written by Edward Frank Allen. in CO.
operation with Raymond B. Fosjick.
chairman of the commissio start
ling contrast is drawn between the de-
moralizing conditions obtaining on the
Mexican border in 1916. when American
troops were concentrated there, and
the conditions of training camps to-
day.
What the government Is now fur
nishing It's lighting men-camp ath-
letics. theatricals and mass singing,
conducted by the governments direc-
tors, and the work OF the Y. NJ. C. A..
Knights OF Columbus, Jewish Welfare
Board. American Library Association
and the War Camp Community Serv-
ice-are described in authentic detail.
The Presidents statement in full
follows:
The twin commissions on training
camp activties-one for the War De-
partmcnt and one for the Navy Depart
ment- were appointed by Secretary
Baker and Secretary Daniels early In
the war to link together In a COM
prchensive organization. under official
sanction, all the agencies. private and
public. which could be utilized to sur
round our troops with healthy.
wholesome environment The Federal
government has pledged its word that
AS far as care and vigilance can accom-
p!ish the result, the men committed to
It's charge will be returned TO the
homes and communities that so gener-
ously gave them with no scaeJ except
those won in honorable conflict. The
career to which we arc calling our
young men in the defense OF democ-
racy must be made an asset to them.
not only In strengthened and more
virile bodies as a result of physical
training. not only in minds deepened
and enriched by partic. patton in a
great heroic enterprise. but In tho en-.
HANGED spiritual values which come
from full life lived we'll and whole
somely.
Il do not believe it Is an exaggera-
assembled in history has had more
conscientious and painstaking though,
given TO the protection and stimulation
Of Its mental, moral and physical man
hood. Every endeavor has been made
TO surround the men. both here and
abroad. with the kind OF environme mt
which democracy owes to those who
fight in It's behalf. In this work the
commissions on training camp activi-
ties have represented the government
and the governments solicitude that
the moral and spiritual resources OF
the nation should be modified behind
the troops. The country Is to be con-
graduated upon the fine spirit with
which organizations and groups. some
OF them Of national standing. have har-
messed themselves together under the
leadership Of the governments agency
in a common ministry to the men OF
the army and navy"