The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-22
SOLDIERS AT PLAY
Italian Army Holds Games Be-
hind Lines.
Follow the Methods of the
American Y. NJ. c. A.

Correspondence Of the Associated Press)
Headquarters Italian Army.-An
Imposing military spectacle was held
near the front recently when an Ital-
ian army corps put into effect the
elaborate system of military athletic
games which the American Young
Mems Christian association Is develop
ing in Italy. Major General de Gorgio
and many other officers of high rank
were present, and some 10000 troops
were assembled from the nearby fight
ing front. From the vast plain where
the exercises were held one could see
the mountain defenses of Mount
Grappa and Mount Tomba, and furth-
er back the distant lines Of the enemy
positions.
American Day.
General De Giorgio had designated
the day american dav'' in recognition
OF the American cooperation in the
affair: the American consul at Venice,
Mr.. Carroll. and his wife were present;
American flags waved at every hand;
the official program showed the
American and Italian colors entwined;
Star Spangled Banner, and there were
many other evidences Of cordial good
will toward the American allies.
Military Games.
The military games carried out the
plan of the Y. M. G. A, Of applying
athletics to large groups, even up to
regiments and battalions, instead of to
individuals. One set of contestants
were 40 men from each of a number
of regiments These parties of 40 ran
over five mile course, with successive
lines of obstruction of trenches. barb
ed wire entanglements, bitches and
barbados. One of the barricades was
y \
to be scaled by climbing up the WIN
dow cornices on one side and down
the other.
Another contest was between ma
chine-gun sections aided by engineers,
who forded streams and set up pom
toon bridges, while the gunners
crossed with their guns and ammuni-
ton, set up hastily constructed lines of
works and opened up a fusillade with
blank cartridges.
At the same time another fusillade
was coming from the hand-grenade
contest in which groups of ten men
represented all the infantry and as
sault battalions.
In pulling the rope the artillery
regiments were pitted against each
other. sixteen men from each regi-
ment. and in football the engineers
were matched against the artillery"
"a Bohemian Unit"
Inc appearance OF the oOHcIllidH
unit. recently organized from natives
of Austria's big province, was the sig
nal for tremendous enthusiasm. They
wore the red and white athletic cos
tune of the Bohemian gymnasiums,
and in open order stretched across
the plain, went thru the Bohemian
manual of arms with its slow and
graceful physical exercises. Keeping
time with their movements they in
toned the Bohemian national hymn,
and, as they closed a great banner
was raised from their ranks bearing
the inscription, Long live Bohemia.
long live Italy"
Many Prizes Given.
Many handsome prizes were given
to the successful regimental teams,
the American Y. NJ. C. A. taking
leading part in this branch of the ex-
ercises. General De Giorgio also paid
a special tribute of appreciation to
the officers of the Bohemian troops by
presenting watches to them. Mrs.
Carroll, wife of the American consul
conferred the gifts on the several Of
ficers. And in order that none Of the
ten thousand soldiers should be dis
appointed, the American Red Cross
brought their camions loaded with ten
thousand packages. each containing
some useful articles of soldiers wear
and food.
One of the most notable features of
this affair was that these splendid ath-
letes. full of enthusiasm and vigor-