Evening journal., 1918-06-24
C0LORED SOLDIERS
ARRIVE At CAMP DIX
First Southern Contingent
Trained North of Mason
and Dixon's Line
LOOK ON AFFAIR
SOMEWHAT AS LARK

GIMP DIX, Wrightstown, n. j.. Jun'
2i.--From a warm and sunny South.
liant into northern camp where ever
thf acclimated soldiers were shiver.
inf in the blasts Of a midsummer cold
wye. there came yesterday 10 prove e
th world their willingness TO fight foI
M nag, the vanguard OF the first con
tlgent Of Southern Negroes 10 receive
military training above the old Mason
aid Dixon line. Ranging in stature
fpm dwarfs TO coal-black giants. who
lok as II they were able to manhandle
adozen Huns each, in a motley assort-
nent Of clothing. many wearing the
fpical blue denimss in which they
torked in the orange groves and cotton
lelds Of Florida they formed The most
picturesque contingent that has re-
ported to the Camp Dix mastering Of
llcers.
from Florida Those arriving yester
day have been two and a-half days on
The trains, during the last few hours OF
(which they had been suffering cOnsid-
cradle discomfort because OF the nm
A seasonable cold weather and their thin
clothing. Yet they were still looking
upon the affair as a lark. and the most
serious concern Of every trainload as
indicated by their first questions upon
detraining. was "Dosn you hab no
warm wedder up heah. boss?" The de-
tails seemed able TO get a laugh out OF
every experience.
The arriving recruits were rushed
through the initial examinations in the
mastering Office In record time. Incl
dentally, they measured up 10 the aver
age I'm the physical examinations.
Their brightest experience OF the day
was when they reached their barracks
and were introduced TO army mess in
the form Of a roast beef dinner.
Eat all you want. but don't leave
anything on your plates" a mess. ser
geant told h hungry crew who had been
living on lunches for sixty hours
"Whst for we want 20 leab any
thing2" a boy with big mouth wanted
20 know. as he lifted his messkit and
began shOveling its contents into his
spacious nav.
't"Heyi Save the plates, mean," cor
rected the observant sergeant.
Announcement has been made that
asy native Porto Ricans drafted into
tie army at this post. will be permitted
4 they desire. 10 be transferred 90 the
YortO Rican units now organizing for
iervice over there.
The most comprehensive shifting OF
men since the opening OF the camp has
commenced with the rapid transfers Of
more Eastern soldiers to illl mp the
ranks Of the s7th Division, recently ar
irving from Camp Pike, Arkansas. In
details OF varying size. from a dozen to
several hundred. the New Jersey, New
York. Rhode Island and Delaware men
OF the recent and previous draft, not
slready assigned to line regiments. are
being picked for service in General
5turgis' division.
Increased railroad fares were proba-
bly, chiefly responsible for big cut I'm
the usual crowd OF Sunday visitors at
camp yesterday, when military police /
on traffic duty had one OF the duietest
week-ends in many months. The crowd /
was large, but II did not begin to COM ]
pare with the thrOngs OF a month ago. /
The Increased rates have also resulted
ln~a cutting down OF the weekend |
travel OF soldiers from camp, as no
rate reductions are allowed on these
passes. There Is. however. a cores
ponding increase IN longer trips, which
come under the one-third fare arrange
mem, for soldiers.
A large audience at the Red Triangle
last night, was thrilled by
the address on American Fighting
by Professor Francis IT. 4
Green, iof West Chester. Pa. the meet
ing marking the opening Of anniyer-
sary week Of the Y. NJ. C. A., at this
camp.