The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-02-28
GREAT SPEED OF YANKS
THIS WAS DESCRIBED BY
MAJOR HENRY SANBORM
Relates Experiences Overseas;
Address On Washington BY
W. [. Comstock


Yanks, the steadfastness of the
American, his quick adaptability to
the service and the wonderful speed
with which America raised great
citizen army overnight were told by
Major Henry Sanborn in his address
at the Episcopal parish house last even .
Ing. Major Sanborn said that people had
scoffed when W. j. Bdyan made the
declaration that the United States
could raise an army overnight, but
that this had been practically tTue--the
United States raised and equipped a
huge fighting machine, almost over
night
Major Sanborn, when he went
overseas, was in command of troops
which had been recruited from the
stockyards of Chicago. He stated that
in one month and ten days from the
time these men arrived at camp they
were inspected by regular army Of
ficers and pronounced fit in every re-
spect for overseas service. A few
days later they went overseas but
failed to arrive in time for any Of
the fighting
The speaker told of his experiences
as assistant commander at the Of
ficer's training school at Leon
Springs and in. this connection paid
Ia high compliment to the national
guard troops and to the national
guard officers who took their training
at this school. He declared that the
regular army instructors made it a
point to fail as many guardsmen as
possible. He stated he felt sure the
national guard had made good-that
lit had established itself in the coun-
try and the officers and men made
good on the fighting line.
Speaking of the return of the men,
Major Sanborn declared the business
men here should do something for
the boys when they return. He men
toned the fact that the house of rep
Iresentatives had reported unfavor-
ably on the free employment service
bill, because, he claimed, the paid
money off the returning soldiers.
Judge Comstock interposed and de-
clared that action should be taken
Immediately. At the end of the adj
dress by Major Sanborn, Judge Com
stock made motion that the rep
resentative of this district in congress-
and one of Minnesota's senators be
informed that the men assembled
protested against any action seeking
to destroy the free government en-
ployment agencies. The motion was
unanimously passed
Tribute to Washington.
Judge w. l.. Comstock gave the
first address of the evening" glow
ing tribute to the greatest of Amer.
leans and the greatest of mem
Washington. whose birthday Ameri-
ca will celebrate tomorrow. Judge
Comstock traced the history of the
Father of His Country" from his
boyhood until he took his place as the
first president of the American ma
ton. He declared that Washington
was too great to be eulogized, that
one might as well try TO increase the
glory of the midday sun or the beauty
of Gods rainbow.
Through his years as surveyor,
later as colonel of the Virginia
militia. and finally as commander of
the American forces of the revolu-
ton the speaker traced the strong
traits OF character that marked
Washington as apart from other men.
He declared that he was a soldier
first-that his whole efforts were
given to work that would better fit
him as a soldier and commander.
He was also. Judge Comstock de-
clared, a great statesman and a dip
lomat, in fact the greatest of all
Americans.
mo man was quite so great as
George Washington, he said. mo
man has done so much for the Unit
ed States and all the world in light
ing the torch of liberty. Americans
may we'll use Washington as an ex-
ample in all walks of life"
Questions aWere Asked.
During the latter part of the even
ing the mer assembled asked Major
Sanborn questions in regard TO the
condition of the American army, of
the camps and of other places of the
service. Many of the questions and
answers were such that Major San
born requested they be not made
public.
In reply to an inquiry regarding
Brest he stated that this was the
only harbor deep enough for the
Americans to use as a disembarka-
ton camp. He stated the soil was
mucky here and that it rained almost,
every day. Consequently he had
often gone in the mu.. almost to the
top of his boots in the camp, but
this was the fault of no one. The
government did all in their power to
help the situation and he found nc
real cause for criticism.
Another question was asked re-
garding American hospital service.
Major Sanborn said it was magnifi-
cent. The British and french asked
that American doctors be sent to
their HOSPITALS and the, equipment
and facilities of the Americans were
superior TO any in Europe.
Criticism Not Justified.
The question of the criticism
brought by Governor Allen of Kansas
over the claim that Americans were
not supported by artillery was
brought up. Major Sanborn declared
he did not believe the criticism justi-
fed. He made the open declaration
that artillery was useless without
aeroplane support and he declared
that all through the war. the German
air service was superior to the allies.
He said the allied forces never had
the supremacy of the air. They