Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-07-23
At HLET|CS AID
j. S. SOLDIERS
Wonderful Asset in the Develop
mcnt of Our Fighting
Men.

Washinpton. ID c.. July % The
vaIue of athletics rs military force IN
developing our soldiers into two-hsted,
appresSivc fighting men. has been uni
vcrsallv attt,sted by commanding officers
throughout the country IN statements
made to the War Department 5 ComInis-
sion ON Training Camp Activities. which
has charge of the non-milltary activities
in the training camps,
Nraior-Gc Charles IL Muir, COM
man,linc officer, 2Sth Division, Camp
Hancock. Georgia. says "Athlehcs as
carried on nj this camp have had a very
good effect in developing the lighting
efficiency of the soldiers by getting thcm
in good physical shape and keeping them
contcnted.
Major-Gcneral \. T. Blockson, 3fth
Division. Camp Cody. y. NJ. says.
Athletics develop initiative, agility, Co
ordination. aggrcsSivencss and endurance
Added 10 this they teach quick, accurate
thinking under stress
Br,gadicr General w H. Sage, 3Sth
Division. Camp Shelby. Miss, says In
my mind the Importance of athletics IN
the army Is secondary only IN import
anccl TO drills and military instruction
Colonel NJ b. Stewart chief ot stan,
10Th Division, Camp Devens, Mass
saws: Physical fitness is the foundation
upon which fighting efficiency Is built.
and ANYTHING that contributes 10 the
uphlnldine of the soldiers physique is IN
corresponding degree contributing 70 his
fighting efficiency
Rrip,dier- General Frank L. WInn, S9th
Division. Camp Funston, Kansas. says
Athletics increase the endurance and
sclf-confidencc Of the man. and IT affor'ts
form of relaxation and recreation which
is so much needed by the hghtlng men
during their perIodS Of inactivity. Ath-
letics have 3 place III the training ot
fighting man clearly as Important as skull
at arms. All phases Of training must go
hand in hand
Maior-( (,encrai Henry T Allen Goth
Division. Camp Travis. Texas, says;
'sB0xing undoubtedly is one Of the most
valuable forms Of physical training which
a ssdier ran have; especially is tins true
IN the case Of the bayonet man whose
phyrssrsal power is an absolute essential
and whose greater speed and punch than
h,ss opt,or-cnt make him sure winner m a
hsyonet fight.
Msior-General H. A. Greene, alst
DIVISION. Camp Lewis, Washington, SAVE
'One has only to compare the appear
srcss az this command today with that
presented At the time they reported tor
duty here 70 be convinced Of the value q
athletic training in developing fighting
men =
Nsjo.-Generd J. F. Morrison. Sth !
DIVISION. Camp Fremont, Gal, saws
Team work. the team spirit, company |
feeling and pride are very important IN |
fitting mon for the test Of battle De
veloring the above Is greatly helped by |
teams from one organization competing |
with others
Major-Csenc~al Il L. Scott, command
ing general, Camp Dix, \. J. SAYS In |
connection with representatives furnish |
ed this cantonment by your commission |
II assist in the promulgst,on OF athletics !
throughout this camp. beg to submit 70
YOU m. appreciation Of the value Of
athletics at the present time, both IN de-
,~lopIng the American soldier. and IN
providing for healthful recreation At
such times as he may not be actively en-
gagged in military work