The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-06-17
GREAT CARE TAKEN
TO PROTECT SOLDIERS
United States Government Uses Every
Precaution and Leaves No Loop
holes for Enemy Agents.

London, June II Correspondence o
the Associated Press No greater car,
and secrecy could attend the shipment o
royal Jewels than is observed in shippin.
American troops to France. To safe
guard his boys, Uncle Sam takes every
possible precaution, from the time the!
embark until the transport has reached
its destination. He leaves no loophole
for the Vaccinations of enemy agents.
| Usually, as result of this elaborate
protective system, the trip from AN At
| antic Port" to the French or English
port, as the case may be, is remarkably
uneventful. All elements of danger have
been so carefully anticipated that the
risk is reduced to the lowest minimum.
Until the troops and civilian passen-
gers have reached the pier they do not
know the name of their ship, 1t is only
number to them On the regular troop
ships it is difficult for 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 goodbyes
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 we'll as to the
men.
Once aboard, there they remain, no
shore communication being permitted.
This regulation imposes no hardship 9th
err than inactivity. Until all troops have
been assigned to quarters and organixa'
ton 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 priv
ilege gives many chance TO get off neg
lected letters and postcards, although
these, as a matter of precaution, are not
put into the mails until the ship has
passed through the submarine zone.
The troops also take advantage OF an
arrangement devised by the government !
for the sending of safe arrival" mes
sages 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 au
thorities at the port of sailing. As soon
as word is received 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.
With the exception of the ships execu-
ives and the officers in military com
nand, no one aboard knows the hour
liked for sailing, and this becomes a ia
1orite topic for speculation among the
men. But finally the last soldier has
,ome up the gangplank and the last piece
II freight has been slowed away.
,usy little tug appears alongside and
,egins to nose the vessel like terrier
a greyhound.
Suddenly there is a blast from the
hips whistle. and then are enacted
ew details of the familiar scene which :
,efore the war was witnessed whenever
trans. Atlantic liner left its pier. The
omparison, however. is extremely limit
a. The call of "All ashore that are GO l
ne ashore" affects only few stevedores 5
nd perhaps an official or two, who move a
of. T
What excitement there is is confined TO I
hose on the ship. There is none on the /
Ter for the reason that it Is row empty
nd its great doors are closed. Only a n
lank wall looms there. {
On deck the movement. instead of be- d
,g toward the transports rails, is away n
rom them. Orders have been given for c
he troops to 20 20 their quarters. so that 4
hen the ship Is leaving harbor no uni Z
,rm may be visible to any prying eyes L
D shore.
Slowly the big vessel is coaxed by the b
II into the stream. and maiestically she n
IS under wsy. A few civilian psssen- "
,rs. 70 the envy Of the officers and 4
en-. hang over the rails and watch the a
tvs skyline fade away. e
SON the port Il only a blur in q veil q
mist II Is safe now for the troops 10 h
pear. They rush out on deck. boyish- a