The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-20

"a.
thei. route to the port of erfbarka-
ton, nor the name of the port. Nor
can it be told whether they are yet
within the United States, ION the
oceaI. or landed in France. i
Censorship rules forbid publication
of such information.
! But many of them have gone, altho
NOT a division The nucleus of the
EiGhty-n ninth division, from which
they were taken, remains at Camp
Funston They have been or will be
Joined to another division more fully
prepared. the number of which is
withheld for evident reasons, filling it
to capacity. In such a way will the
EiShty-ninth division be filled when
the opportunity for overseas duty
comes to the men who are left be-
hind.
Men Well Trained.
since these men left their homes in
Topeka and other cities, their farms
in Kansas, and every other portion
of lh9 middle western seven states,
thew have spent their time well. Every
month and every week, every day and
every hour has been devoted to some
form of training for the big confl1ct
on that strip of blood-soaked ground
dividing Europe from north to south
Drills and formations, marches and
hikes, schools and instructions have
made them trained soldiers so Tar as
understanding of orders and ability 10
withstand strain is concerned. IN
struction from skilled bayoneteerS has
eouipped them to meet the boche in a
hand to hand charge over the top Gas
instruction has taught them TO oon
the life saving mask with its oxygen
tank before a gas attack could be
successful. Rifle range practice mas
made marksmen of no mean skill In
fact, they are different lot from the
motley collection of clerks and bank
ers tradesmen and artisans, farmers
1RN1e of MI
Funston last fall They came as boys,
for the work and pleasure of train
ing camp and left as men. equipped
and trained to do a mans work in pro-
tecting those principles for which the
midwest stands with the nation.
No Sadness on Leaving.
There was no suggestion of sadness
when. they prepared to leave Bands
played and regiments paraded. Fare
we'll celebrations were held nightly IN
every barrack. Men who were to re-
main in camp made the best of their
fate getting a measure of the enjoy
ment by feasting and banqueting the
departing bunkies. Speeches by colo
nels and privates picture the spirit
driving them on and portraying their
hopes to be worthy of the trust.
No one shed a tear 1t was not
time for tears. 1t was time for
songs and they sang; a time for cheers
and they cheered.
from the depot at Camp Funston,
loaded to capacity with consignments
of olive drab, there was bedlam of
bands, cheering and singing. Banners
were displayed everywhere, lettered
with slogans of determine ton to reach
the stronghold of the arch criminal;
determination to show Missouri what
her boys can do to make Kansas
proud of her output, cheers for the
other five home states, entreatieS for
just one chance at the boches, and
farewell to the folks back home. a.
Boys Left Determined.
They left, and going left behind a
renewed spirit of determination un-
conquerable in the remaining men.
How long ago they left cannot be told.
But the echoes of their departing
cheers are still reverberating in the
hearts of the men in camp.
Their training period in France will
be short. They are the best of the
middle west for only the best could
go, lacking only the polish of the
training fields of France to make
them the equal of the most seasoned
soldier of Britain or France.
In due time the war department will
make an announcement of the divi-
sion to which our middle western
drafted men are attached. Our inter-
est then will be divided, share and
share alike, between that division, the
regiment of engineers who have been
in France for months and the signal
battalion and ammunition train of the
rainbow division.