Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-03-21
PREPARING FOR
REALISTIC MINES
Underground Explosion to Show
Actual Conditions of
Battlcficlds.

Camp Dix, Wrightstown, N. j., March
21.-Burrowng far underground, en-
glneers of the 18th Division yesterday
began preparations for planting tour
great mines at the base of "Marne Hill,
through the explosion of which actual
battle-ground conditions will be created for
the practice work Of machine-gilnners
and charging infantry The mines, which
will contains 10 ton of powerful explo-
sives, at depth of 60 feet, will literally
turn inside-out the field under which the
shafts are now being drilled. The cxpio-
sions will be a spectacular feature OF tram
ing work here, and arrangements probably
will be made to follow with an actua
charge of infantry from the adjacent
trenches after machine-gunners have
manned the crests Of the huge craters
formed by the bursting mines.
The mine work is in charge OF the 3O3d
Engineers, Colonel Markham command
ing. Foreign engineers who have directed
the building of similar works on the west :
ern front are aiding with suggestions In
sinking the great shaft and the long
laterals. The work is to be we'll cam
ouilaged. A visitor can walk all around
the trenches from which the shaft IS
started without sign indicating the
enormous operation in progress. Pumps
Will keep the saps dry IN case water
becomes troublesome on the lower levels
Forty New York debutantes, members
of the Junior Book Committee formed by
authors to procure reading matter for
soldiers in the training camps and at the
front, will visit Camp Dix tomorrow.
They will come at the invitation of Major
General Scott to see the actual needs Of
the men for good books. Following
an inspection Of the camp they will be
guests Of Colonel NJ. B. Stokes and
officers of the 3llth Infantry at recep-
tinn in "Y" hut No 3. Miss Edith
Gould, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. George
Gould and sister Of Sergeant Major
kingdom Gould OF the Headquarters
Troop, is secretary Of the committee and
is in charge of arrangements for the visit.
BANDMEN PUT TO WORK.
Rookie" infantryinen and cannoneers
suddenly forgot their jealousles OF the
band men of their regiments, whose
supposedly easy army life has heretofore
| aroused their envy, when they saw the
orders issued by General SCOTS office
yesterday, directing that twice week
hereafter the band men are to be drilled
in first aid and htter-carrying. The
orders brought to their realization the
full appreciation of the work the musicians
must do on the battlefield, when, in
bringing in the wounded, they must
expose themselves to dangers of bursting
shells and shrapnel, from which the
"doughboys" themselves are often nn-
mune in the shelter OF their dug-outs.
The new order consigns dozens of the
best musicians in New York and New
Jersey TO one of the most dangerous Of
missions when the division is IN the
trenches Some of the special units In
| camp have enlisted their band members
from famous musical organizations In
many parts of the country.
Pneumonia caused the death OF Sergeant
James Houghton, a member of the 59th
Pioneer Regiment, formerly the Delaware
National Guard. Sergeant UOushton was
member of the company organized IN
his home city of Newark, Del A military
funeral was held this morning, and the
body sent to his home under escort.
Regimental officers were ordered to
submit to camp headquarters lists of
men in the recent draft, now quartered
with their regiments, who may be listed
as alien enemies Another record of
so-caled conscientious obiectors, with d
record of their offenses, is also requested.