The Nome daily nugget., 1918-01-17

Now that the instruction camps are filled with American youth-volun- Guordsmen under training to go to the front in the great European war, the nation Is deeply interested in the conditions of their service and the prospects of their return To the friends and relatives who have bldden their soldiers goodbye the chances of life and death, or wounds md disease, are the most important consideration; but to the boys" themselves and to their dependents, present or proSpec- tive, tho remuneration received in re- turn for their services is no small item.
 In this connection, it appears that the privates in our ranks are not only more bountifully paid than the sol diers of any other nation, but proba- bty get net income larger than they would receive in tho ordinary occupa- tions of civil life. A comparison be- twee.l the wage paid to the prlvatcs in our Army and the Second Lieu tenants in the European armies brings out the following facts: Second Lieu tenants in Great Britian receive s4ce annually: in France. s452; in Germany SS67: in Italy. $3s0: in Austria Hun. gary. s386: In Russia, s274 4 first. class private of the United States serving overseas. will, on the other hand be paid 3i75. still further, Sec. ond Lieutenants must furnish their own uniforms ana food: while the Uni ted States private. since he gets board and clothing free. finds that his wage. are clear gain.
 This liberal pay of soldiers is m outgrowth of free institutions. Up to tho breaking. out of the Civil War. privates in our Army were paid only sll Q month. This amount was raised to SlS and subsequently, to Sl7, which remnlned the rate until preparations were made for the present war, when the pay was increased to 3S0 a month. In connection with the Spanish Amer ican War. however. law was enacted adding 20 per cent to the compensa- ton of both officers and men serving in a foreign country. Since this law is till in effect. the private who goes to France will receive S36 month or s4s2 a year. besides all hls necessary expehsea. IT he chooses to dcl.y him. self Mxuries, he can save most of that suan. And how many of the men selv- ing os privates have been layins up S1oo year out of the salaries received in connection with their peace time occupations?
 Ana the war furnishes opportunity Tor even better pay. The captain of each company has authority to re- ward eficieney by promoting the best soldiers of the ranks of First. Glass Privates," in which the basic pay ia ssS a month at home, ana las. 60. or Sa7o.20 a year abroad. Should the private become n corporal the pay is Sals.40 a year--all probably clear money.
 The generosity Of our Republic to its citizen soldiers appears greater by contrast with the pay of the private soldiers of other nations Great Brit. ain pays about ts5 year: Germany sto and France ss5. Moreover. in ad- dition to pay and subsistence, the United States Government provides q generous sum in life. insurance, and cares for the soldiers dependents in case of his death or disability. Be. sides these governmental allowances. generous private aid is given through the Red Cross. the Y. NJ. c. A., and tho various fraternal organizations of which tho Order of Eagles is 6 lead ing type. These organizations furnish writing and reading facilities, amuse- ment nuts" md refreshment canteens and supply ''comfort kits" and lux.