The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-20

en- their first lessons in trench warfare,
and conditions as near as possible as
thew existed on the battfefields OF
France and Belgium, are reproduced
We next visited the artillery range
where batteries of artillery were firing
at the shields three thousand yards
to the west The general conversed
with the officers and after noting the
work being done praised them for their
work.
Returning, we passed thru Forsvthe
CANYON and made a short stop at the
"gas house." where a battalon OF
troops were being taught how to don
the masks six seconds after the com
mand was given. They were also TAX
en- thru a chamber charged with chic
rine and tear gas, similar to the kind
the Huns ha re beg using on the west
ern front. During their stay IN the
gas house re men are ordered to re-
move their masks so that they may get
n taste" of the different gases, there
by being able to recognize the door
should they face such an attack on the
battlefield.
II was about 1915 O'Clock in the
afternoon before we eturned to the
generals quarters for our midday re-
past 1 felt that the morning had
been speI.t very much to my advan-
tage, having been educational and i'm
pres3tve down to the most minute de-
tail AIIeE ldhlllS lullCil, lAlO SChCf al
again went into conference with the
chief of staff and other staff officers.
Drill Grounds and Detention Camps.
At o'clock we we're ready to re-
sumo our pilgrimage thru the bar
racked home of the embryonic fight
ers. The general suggested that we
take the motor car on the afternoon
trip and the chauffeur was ordered to
drive to Smoky Hill Flats, a large strip
of lowland near the river, so called be-
cause the mist which often hovers
over the terrain. 1t is considered one
of the best drill grounds in camp. We
drove thru detention camp No. l, just
outside the confines of the camp prop
er on the west, which is almost wholly
inhabited by men who have slight ply
steal disabilities, which are being rem
edied so that the men may be eligible
for service.
Many kitchens and tents were in
spected either by the general and my
self or the aide and everywhere clean
illness prevailed. The guard was
turned out and after a careful scrui-
my of the mount and the surround
ings. the general exchanged greetings
with the camp commander and COM
mended him on the police 9th unit
We next passed thru Fort Riley, the
old cavalry and artillery training GEN.
Service school of the army, which has
now been converted into a canton
ment of base hospitals. We crossed
the kaw river and before US was the
famous flats" We alighted from the
machine and proceeded on foot to the
trenches. The rifle grenade was being
fired and as we moved back about 200
yards, we were given an exhibition of
throwing grenades. The grenades used
are real things, as deadly as the kind
that were used lover there"
The Deadliest Weapon in War.
AS we moved. our attention was at
tracted by a dozen sharp reports. 1
was told a battalion was getting ac-
quainted with the workings of the
Browning automatic rife. Just beyond
this demonstration, the deadliest wea-
pom of modern warfare was in full
operation. 1t was the heavy type of
the Browning machine gun splitting
forth steel at the targets several hun
dred yards away. The officers in
charge of the gunners spoke highly
of the gun.
An inspection tour of the hospitals
was our next move and it was notice
able that the general was exercising
great care in looking over the wards.
He Intercepted several patients as to
the food and treatment received, and
seemed pleased when all declared they
were we'll satisfied.
The Camps Amusement Center.
We arrived on the Zone, The camps
amusement center, shortly after
o'clock and from there viewed the
daily evening parade. 1t was truly
wonderful sight. the transformation in
six months from civilians to soldiers
ready for the fray. struck me as re-
markable and I could hardly believe
my eyes that these were not veteran
troops.
After supper we made another trip
to the trenches to see how the men
subsist in actual battle conditions. We
returned to the generals quarters
shortly after ten o'clock and 1 was
fairly well tired out. 1t was truly an
eventful day. I had never pictured a
general like that 1 babe him good
night and proceeded to my quarters.
AS walked down the road, CHANGED
to meet an officer whom I have known
for some time. After I had narrated
my experiences with the general, the
officer replied:
That's nothing for General Wood,
it's only an ordinary days work for
him"
By the way, in closing let me note
that General Wood is in prime body
and mental vigor, alert and active and