The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1919-03-27
SGT. SAGE SAYS
BOYS ANXIOUS
TO GET AWAY
FROM ARMY LIFE
To the Editor:

I
February 10. 1913. an article written
by a certain officer. expressing his
surprise at what he terms. false views
about doughboys' ideas on demobiliz.
ing.
| /. as one of the doughboys OF the A.
E. F., beg to differ in opinion to con
i siderable exteEt. with above men
toned. ! have not soldiered six
months, a year. but over four years,
and l feel justified in saying that l
am fair judge of a doughboy's true
nature and desires, l was sent to
France, arrived here November 8,
1918. l have taken no active part in
the fight, but have taken consider
able interest in finding out what |
could about it by conversfng with
numerous "doughboys"-w
have had the experience on the front
lines. and l also state that have a
fair average view regarding their anx-
iety to return to civil life. and / dare
say that 80 per cent of the A. E. F.
soldiers truly desire their discharge
Immediately. notwithstanding the
statement made by the above-men-
tiOueu OllCer.
The desire of the doughboys to be
demobilized is not the mere thought
| of ridding himself OF the uniform as
would be assumed by reading the ar
ticle, for any one of them would do
as he did before, in case of necessity.
give all.
1t seems folly to assume that any
man that mas home ties or ambition
would desire to continue in the mill
tary service where he has practically
no freedom. no chance OF promotion,
farther than perhaps to draw an in
come Of $45 a month. No opportun-
ity to prepare for his future, living
from hand to mouth without a friend
| except those who are ones friends
when he has a dollar in his pocket.
l The statement was made that "the
majority of the army of occupation
were happier and more contented in
the service than at home or in their
prior civil life" l beg to differ
greatD with such statement. 7,
when~summirg up various statements
OF the service. who have a home and
friends in the United States, who do
not enjoy their companyfenopre than
pleasures offered to the boys In the
A. e. F. service. I prefer to draw much
less than is paid in The service just
for the privilege OF being FIRE, to put
on my hat and goirg where I might
when l feel like II instead Of when
someone else directs that I-have per-
mission to go. Don't misunderstood
me. I am not Judging others by my
self. but the general desire OF any
well-balanced man is to be home
will admit that there are few who
have no home ties, trades or ambition
to advance. etc. who are perfectly
contented In the service. but would
hate to state that the majority OF the
troops who have served their country
are such.
Some of the men of the A. z. r. are
non-combatant troops. etc. who hold
jobs perhaps making 800 month or
more. and who have been working for
considerably less in civil life. Natur-
ally. their opinion expressed. confirms
the statement made by the captain.
will quote a portion OF the article
and then explain 1t: The captain
says: "Why should they be Take
the case OF a private He is clothed
he is fed. he is eIaborately and well
cared for and then IN addition he has,
minus any insurance money he may
pay. his $50 month. What are, they?
Pocket money? Pocket money and
nothing else. Most OF the American
lads in the army have never enjoyed
such incomes, that could be freely
Themselves appreciate the fact" The
above is we'll stated. take 1t for it's
outer meaning, and will endeavo- to
explain the nner facts: The boy ?
young and has a varying mind as al
yourg men do. The general tho.lg h:
among the soldiers Is to draw theiI
money, 'the $50 dollar pocket money
and spend 1t without delay. The
source of amusement in the A. Il. r
among soldiers is gambling. and wfer
they go to town 1t is nothing bul
drink ard the enticement OF French
women. Other than that the youns
man may buy feed of French fries
and return to his barracks The men
toned pleasure OF soldier is natur
ally against orders, but in place o.
|, setting on his bunk, sucking hii
thumb. he will at times take part ir
some OF the sports. This Is speakIn!
in general Now may ask: is ths
service an advantage to that yount
man; Is the pocket change an item ft
be considered? or would IL be bettel
for him to get less money and be nj