New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-05-27
ARTHUR GUY EMPEY
ON KEENEY'S STAGE


needs to convince him that we will
win the war, according to Sergeant
Arthur Guy Empey veteran of a
score Of battles in France. author of
over the Top and patriotic lee
threr. Empey, who was wounded
seven times in battle, recently re-
turned from Camp Wheeler, where
he and company Of Vitagraph play
ers who appear with him in "Over
the Top the screen version Of his
famous book, went to make trench
scenes. They were there more than
two weeks and in the making of the
raiding scenes more than $500 regu-
lar soldiers were used.
Albert E. Smith, president Of Vita
graph says that the scenes made
there are the most impressive Of the
sort he ever saw, and he believes they
will prove a revelation not only to
the motion picture public, but to the
war department officials as we'll.
Empey, who formerly was a SER
geant-major in the L. S. Regular
Cavalry and saw service on the Mex
lean border long before he dreamt
OF a war in Europe or service in the
front line trenches of France, was
+ high in his praise of Camp Wheeler,
the officers and the men who will
soon be facing the Germans on the
other side.
Il had been to Camp Wheeler four
months previously" he said Ito adj
cress the boys and look over the
camp, and while they were in fair
shape then, when I returned this last
time the changes I found were start
ling. The camp is a model of SAM.
tation, the men are finely quartered
and they are happy and in good
health. Their physical condition is
splendid tribute to the methods of
training and the care which is given
them.
1.-The boys at Camp Wheeler are
undergoing system Of intensive
training that will make our Allies
and even General Pershing himself
sit up and take notice, because it is
going to make them practically fit
for first line duty before they even
leave the United States. Of course,
there will still be a great deal of
work for them after they reach
France, but through the training they
are receiving now they will be so far
advanced that there will remain for
them very little to learn of actual
trench conditions. l cannot go into
being taught, but you may bet all
your Liberty Bonds on it that they
will give Fritz all the trouble he
could wish for even on his busiest
day.
"The officers and men down there
would be a credit to any nation. and
the spirit of all of them is an in
spiration. When you meet any of
them, from the commanding general
down to the last private in the ranks,
they make you feel proud that you
are an Am erican; and as one who
has been across. I can testify that
they are such a fine lot of fighting
men our Allies too will be proud
and happy to have them alongside
them in the big argument"
Director North reported to Albert
f. Smith that the officers of the
comp, from General Hayden, its
commander, down to the youngest
lieutenant, were most helpful to him
in making the trench scenes and gave
him the finest kind of cooperation.
Military discipline was maintained at
all times and in the big scenes
where thousan of men were used
they were led into action by their
own officers the same as they would
be in France. He said that the men
were so thoroughly trained and per-
1med their raiding operations with
such vigor it was hard to realize that
they We're not actually enga ged
against the Hun.
The men. he said. went at their
work with all the seriousness in the
world, and performed like veterans.
This Mr.. North attributed to the fine
instruction they have received dur
ing the few months they have been
in camp.
1t was reported to Mr.. Smith that
one of the high officers stated that
the visit of Empey was an inspira-
ton to the officers and men. Of all
the lecturers on the war, this off,
Ger said, he considered Empey the
one who actually tells what it is. His
lectures, he said. are especially val
liable to soldiers in training because
OF his varied experience as infantry
man. bomber, raider and special
service man.
While he was in Macon, Sergeant
Empey delivered a lecture before the
local Red Cross chapter at a WASH
iEgton Day fete and his appeal aid
ed materially in raising funds for the
organization. Newspapers report that
'ilt lr'll was pdcheu ~ OFefllOWlnS
with persons anxious to see and hear
the magnetic little soldier. In addi-
ton to this. Empey also delivered
several lectures to the soldiers in the
Y. M. G.. A. auditoriums at Camp
Wheeler
Sergeant Empey himself will be
seen at Keeney's theater all this
week as the hero of the Vitagraph
production of "Over the Top