The Washington herald., 1919-02-22
ARMY At BREST
WELL CARED FOR
Rain and Mud Comprise
All to Be Said Against
Camp In France.
ny LOWELL MELLETT.
Copyright Isls By Uuited pr.S

BY LOWELL MELLETT.
tCopynsht, Isla BY United pr.S
Brest, Feb Z--The nothers o.
America, who are waiting for their
boys 20 come home, may rest assured
that Brest is not a pest hole" de-
spite reports 10 the contrary.
This assertion is based on oricisl
figures Showing the sick and death
rate here 10 De lower than in snv
other camp In France, and on the
results Of personal investigation BY
the writer.
Brest was selected as the chief mort
Tor the arrival OF American troops
in France, primarily because n IS
the closest to the United States. and
dangers Of submarines and mines were
lessened in consequence. Its strategic
and geographical advantages out
weigh fits climatic drawback. The
rain seems to fan everlastinrly Ia
Brest The soft ground IL usually a
morass OF mud. But when rain and
mud are mentioned the worst is told.
Soldier, Well Cared For.
A trainload OF soldiers. arriving a.
Camp Pontanezen from the city, find
Red Cross nurses waiting on the plat
form 10 serve them with hot cSoco-
II u Is In the day time II Il S al
night the soldiers are given a bic
supper at kitchen capable OF feed
ing 1000. When they arrive at the
camp proper they are bilIeted either in
tents or barracks. These tents arc
hoored, have stoves and are eoufp-
ped with hunks securely fastened in
the side walls. They hold six me,
each, receiving more air SPACE than
the regulations provide When given
their choice, many newcomers prefer
tents to barracks. The same Is true
Of part OF the permanent garrison.
There is no question OF their warmth.
The correspondent visited several on
one OF the coolest nights Brest has
experienced this winter.
This describes conditions the aver
age trainlOad OF soldiers finds. but
occasionally failure OF TRANSPORTS IN
arrive on time results in cnowdinr.
causing emergency utilization OF up-
hoored tents. In such cases, per-
manent troops turn out and collect
duckboards from storChouses. with
which temporary flooring Is made
Tented Areas Wei Drained.
Tented arcas are we'll drained. re-
Saroless OF rain. Tho newcomers
ar" warm and dry before night.
The next morning they arc given
a breakfast OF braised beef. corn
meal mush, bread and jam. or syrup.
and coffee. They are given a bath
which Is designed 20 remove any
vcrmln ana leave all their clothes
behlnd. receiving a complete new
outnt. Then they move TO new quar-
ters, either in tents or barracks.
Dinner consists Of roast beef.
mashed potatoes. brown gravy.
salad tusually made Of cold beam.
onions, tomatoes and picklCsE
peach cobbler. coffee. and. Of course.
bread. For supper they have stew.
baked beans. CrCamed potatoes.
bread pudding. bread and corce.
This Is one days typical menu for
men and officers alike. The menus
vary among the kitchens. and from
DAY 10 day. Tho result il there
is keen competition for the prize
given the kitchen judged to be serv-
ing the men best-a weeks leave
every month. Sometimes, as a con-
sequence, the men get hot cake-
and doughnuts for breakfast, pie
for dinner, etc.
The amount OF food allowed 70
each man is unlimited. He can re
peat the whole dinner II he desires.
Feeding is done on exact schedule
by which II Is impossible for a man
10 spend more than thirty minutes
going and coming between the bar
racks and kitchen. usually about
iWcnty minutes. This would seem
TO dispose OF the idea that the mon
stand Tor hours IN the rain. vaitfu-
to eat.
While IL is never necessary 10 90 70
courage the men 20 move rap,dlr
TO get their food, one negro ser1rnS
a negroes mess, seems 10 think IT
Il.
His Threat Meaningless.
The correspondent watched him
ladlinE out rice pudding, shaking
his ladle from side TO side and cry
inE. The longer I shakes the less
you GET Tho first time he did this
the diners eyes popped out a. thcr
watched the last grains pour on tho
ladle, whereUpon the lsdler would
grin and dip up great ladlefulis
into the waiting plates. Meanwhile.
another server would be crying.
this way 10 the hash barraEe." Al
together, the kitchens are a merry
place.
1t has been seriously charged that
the men are compelled 10 wash their
own mess kits This is true. They
have to do 1t in the field, often
with cold water and TO soap. But
IN Brest the washing consists o.
dumping the refuse in garbage cans.
then dipping the aluminium plstes.
cups and spoons in big tanks or
constantly boiling water from whiCf
they emerge not only clean, bur
stcrilized, and dry almost as soon
as they strike the air.