Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-25

comrades sp,a n ths discomforts ot
cold weather ca Inments. AZ the be-
ginning Of the Ar the nghtinS men
were more than leased to discover
comparatively drySspot under the trees
Of forest or In drafty stable or
barn in which to pass their very rare
and short periods Of repose.
Now all has been changed and ev-
erything possible is done to provide
some sort OF comfort and distraction
for the men when they come down
from the front-line trenches. 1t must
not be supposed that all the modern
aids 10 human comfort are furnished
to the soldier but his lot is luxurious
compared with that during the early
months Of the war;
In every village in the immediate
rear Of the fighting line out Of range
of the German guns a town major mas
been appointed, who makes it his bust
ness to know of every nook and y
ner where men and horses can pea
housed. When a battalion or a regi-
ment marches in, everything Is in
readiness for It's reception. Regimental
workshops and offices. stables ana
kitchens already are arranged, ana
billeting accommodations for officers
and men listed in such way that the
soldiers have only to go In and oc-
cupy their quarters. Sometimes they
are lodged in the cottages, but in gem
eral It has been found more convent
emit to place them in farm houses ana
barns, as the hygienic facilities in the
country houses are far from modern.
Every available grange and barn
has been thoroughly gone over and
made watertight by having its root
covered with tarred paper and its
walls made draftproof by thick creme
lated cardboard. Electric light has
been installed, every building provided
with a stove and washstands. Parti-
toned of Is compartment where the
baths. In the nearby kitchens every
requisite is handy for cooking.
AS to the mems personal comfort
each Of them is given trestle bed.
with straw mattress. known generally
as "six-foot feathers" bolster, sleep
ing sack and blankets.
In the vicinity Of the villages sports
grounds have been enclosed and
marked for football games, while
numerous plots Of land are set apart
for truck gardening and generally Gull
tivated by old reservists who do not
go into the firing line. The produce
is much appreciated by the troops
who. when at the front, have to con-
tent themselves with canned vege-
tables
In each cantonment a large hut has
been erected to serve as a recreation
and reading and writing room. 1t is
provided with a fairly extensive IL
brary and all kinds Of indoor games.
Every week or so a moving picture
performance is given by the army the
alter, which also arranges dramatic
shows.
Besides these official arrangements
for the troops other efforts are made
BY private bodies to cheer the men
between their arduous and perilous
periods Of trench work. In almost eV-
cry cantonment carteen has been es-
tableshed under the auspices OF
French, American or British women,
who serve the men with hot coffee, tea
and bouillon and little food delicacies.
During the chilly months from Sep
TENDER to May each soldier Is given
extra supplies Of warm clothing, COM
pprising three cotton shirts, two pairs
Of fannellette under garments, two or
three pairs of wooden socks, three blan-
kets. one sweater one scarf and a pair
Of wooden gloves. and in the Vosgcs
mountains and other sectors where the
cold is most severe still more warmer
clothing ia p1aced at the disposal OF
the troops in case Of need.