The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-06-11
(By Associated Press.)


LONDON, June 10.-No greater care
and secrecy could attend the shipment
OF royal jewels than Is observed in
shipping American troops to France.
To safeguard his boys Uncle Sam
takes every possible precaution, from
the time they embark until the trans
port has reached its destination. He
leaves no loophole for the machina-
lions of enemy agents.
Usually, as result of this elaborate
protective system, the trip from can
Atlantic Port" to the French or Eng
lish port, as the case may be. Is re-
markably uneventful. All elements of
danger have been SO carefully antici-
pated that the risk is reduced to the
lowest minimum.
Until the troops and civilian pas
sengers have reached the pier they do
not know the name of their ship. 1t
Is only a number to them. On the
regular troopships 1t is difficult for a
civilian, unless he is engaged in war
work, to secure a passage. Those
who manage to do so are subjected to
close scrutiny. and their credentials
and luggage are thoroughly examined.
Embarkation often begins several
days before the transport sails. All
goodbys have been said before the
troops start for the ship. No relative
or friend may accompany them to the
pier. This rule applies to the officers
as well as to the men,
No Shore Leave Granted.
Once aboard, there they remain, no
shore communication being permitted.
This regulation imposes no hardship
other than inactivity. Until all troops
have been assigned to quarters and
organization has been effected, the
men are left pretty much to their own
devices.
No restriction is placed on writing,
and bags are kept open for soldiers
mail up to almost the hour of sailing.
This privilege gives many a chance to
get off neglected letters and postcards,
although these, as matter of precau-
ton. are put into the mails
until the ship has passed through the
submarine zone.
The troops also take advantage of
an arrangement devised by the govern
ment for the sending of "safe-arrival"
messages. kilograms or postcards
advising family and friends that the
writer has made the trip in safety
may be prepared in advance and left
In charge Of the authorities at the port
Of sailing. AS soon as word is receiv-
ed by cable of the ships arrival on
the other side, the kilograms and cards
are released to the wires and mails
Not only is much time saved by this
plan, but the soldiers are spared the
high cost of cabling from Europe.
Hour If Sai1inn lInknnxAn
With the exception of the ships ex-
ecutives and the officers in military
command, no one aboard knows the
hour fixed for sailing, and this be-
comes favorite topic for speculation
among the men. But finally the last
soldier has come up the gangpiank
and the last piece of freight has been
slowed away. busy little tug ap-
pears alongside and begins to nose
the vessel like a terrier investigating
greyhound.
Suddenly there is a blast from the
ships whistle. and then are enacted
few details of the familiar scene
which before the war was witnessed
whenever a transatlantic liner left it's
pier. The comparison. however, is
extremely limited. The call of "All
ashore that are going ashore" affects
only few stevedores and perhaps an
official or two. who move leisurely off.
What excitement there is Is con-
fined to those on the ship. There is
none on the pier for the reason that
it is now empty and it's great doors are
closed. Only blank wall looms there.
On deck the movement, instead of
being toward the transports rails. is
away from them. Orders have been
given for the troops to go to their
quarters SO. that when the ship is
leaving harbor no uniform may be
visible to any prying eyes on shore.
Slowly the big vessel is coaxed by
the tug into the stream. and majesti.
cally she gets under way A few
civilian passengers, to the envy of