The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-08-05
NATIONAL ARMY HAS WONDERFUL
 ESPRIT DE CORPS

LO1 A11 Uk VVM U
 CAMP LEWIS. Tacoma, Wash, June 3O.-"Let me tell you that the million men now in the United States army and the millions who may eventually enter, are not coming back to their home communities and stand for the inadequate municipal control of health hazards. Even at last Christmas time the Bowery boy in Eastern camps went home and threw the coal from the tenement bath tub because he had been taught in the army to take a body bath at least twice a week, and to wash his hands surely before each meal, and not to drink out of cup some one else had used. The city and country boy went home and distressed his good mother by telling her that her ice box was dirty. No more will these men sleep in stuffy bedrooms to avoid catching cold. And when these millions of trained fighting men re- turn to their home communities after the war, they will surely be a strong force for a responsible, able and well financed municipal health department"
 In these words Colonel Peter c. Field. chief surgeon of the 91st Division. predicted the future results to be expected as result of the practical health measures taught the men in the national army. Colonel Field was addressing the citizens of the city of Tacoma on an efficient health department, and urging CO., operation between the municipal and army health officers in order to pro- tect the soldiers outside of camp as we'll as in camp.
 Colonel Field characterized Camp Lewis as new community, halfway between Tacoma and Olympia. where your sons and brothers have formed new little city"
 Perhaps you will admit that the national army at Camp Lewis has what is known, even to the Huns, a wonderful spirit, or esprit de corps. We perhaps take ourselves too seri- ously. But, we, perhaps more than you, know the business ahead and every day teaches us that the more preventable disease that exists among us, just to that extent are we less fit to represent you over there.
 "I have said that the spirit of these men from your homes is truly wonderful. It is so much deeper than the similar spirit in evidence in the regular and national guard divisions that it has been the subject of re- port by inspectors. It is so true a spirit of to do and die if necessary, that it is reported the war depart ment looks to the national army di- visions to provide the backbone of the whole army of the United States which includes regulars and national guard.
 "If representatives of Portland, Olympia, Seattle and Tacoma could be invisible spectators in my office during the many daily interviews with soldiers of the Wild West di- vision who come to me with requests to be released from quarantine in order that they may go home to see a dying wife, child or mother, these representatives would go away with a completely new point of view. And if they could read the letters from the dear ones and hear the state ments of these men to the effect both mother and sister or wife feel that permission to go back tn their sick ones should be decided entirely upon the basis of what is best for all. When the mother or wife writes that she is quite willing to die without seeing her soldier boy if the best interests of the country demand it. and the soldier boy standing before me with tears in his eyes states that he is ready to accept the decision that releasing him from quarantine or training is detrimental or dangerous to a com munity or his country. then it is that my spirit of resentment is apt to rise against those in civil com munities who would decide the mat ter of protection of soldiers upon the basis of the almighty dollar or polit ical expediency rather than upon the demand for united effort of all individuals and all communities foI the final victory"