Evening star., 1919-07-20
SLEAVE D. c.
FOR HOME TODAY
Warmly Entertained Here,
Veterans Make Camp
Meigs Picturesque.
CAPTAIN TELLS OF MEN

| The Czech fighters will leave wash
ington this morning, bound for New
port News and home. on the hnal leg
of a world encircling stour.
| After the warmest reception which
official Washington could give. includ-
ing review of the troops by Presl-
dent Wilson, the men who were IN
valided from Siberia were entertain
| ed by the War Camp Community SerV-
| ice and the Y. NJ. G. A. in the " nut
| at Camp Meigs last night. The Climax
was an entertainment. including dane
| ing singing and character acts. Fol-
| lowing the entertainment chocolate
| and cigarettes were distributed by the
Y. NJ. c. A.
Program Extensive.
Among the numbers on the pro-
gram, which was under the direction
| of the War Camp Community Service,
were songs by Katherine Gemmel Nc
Nair songs with the ukelele accom-
| paniment by Misses Marie and Edna
! Strudley, a juggling act by Percy Oil
yer, a soprano solo by Frances Scher-
ger with a violin obligato by DR..
George Flemer. and piano accompani-
ment by Mrs. Ettie Reeves Alderman,
songs and dances by Misses Edith and
Josephine Brown, a violin solo by Miss
Daisy FickenScher. and several acts
from Keith's, including Russian dane
ers under ALA Moskova. Rev. H. G.
Dooley camp secretary for the Y. NJ.
C. A. at Camp Meigs, delivered an ad-
dress of welcome
Wearied, Many Rest.
Many of the men. tired out after
G OH ht-S nf Wash frtnn d11r.
ing the morning in Army buses and
sightseeing automobiles, retired be-
fore the entertainment took place.
Others seized and devoured the con-
tents of CzechoSloyak newspapers.
which contained the first news they
had received from home in more than
two years and a half.
Still others took advantage to write
to their homes, advising waiting
parents, wives, sweethearts and
friends of their safety and imminent
return to the other side, after circling
the world.
Fighters Were Picturesque.
Since the days of it's construction
Camp Meigs has not seen a moro
picturesque or unique collection Of
fighters than the thousand Czechs
quartered there during the past three
days.
In uniforms of every description,
many of them wearing spiral leggins
and others with heavy cowhide boots.
the men wandered around the camp at
luxurious ease, with the invaluable
cigarette or pipe. rejoicing in the
relief from five years of military
hardship.
Capt. Anthony Nessi fluent spokes-
man of English. recited some of the
experiences Of the troops since leav-
ing the Ukraine in 1918 to the fight
ing near Vladivostok. when this con-
tingent, with others. was desperate
ly striving to keep open for their
other comrades the railroad from
Moscow to the coast.
Some Wear German Uniforms.
"since the outbreak of the war" de-
clared Capt. Nissi. glancing at nom
uniform apparel Of his passing SOL
diers. when we were issued full
equipment, we have not been able to
secure our regulation clothing. Most
of the apparel seen on our men here
has been obtained either through Chi
nese, Russian or Japanese sources.
Some of the men are wearing German
uniforms.
They are a very courageous lot.
Most of our fighting was infantry
work. and. without reliefs or rest
camps, our men remained at their
posts of duty during many weary
|
To-day they are tired. For more
than two years and a half they have
not haard from their families. I do
not know whether my old father. my
VIE Or children are yet alive. Boys
do not know whether they shall find
their parents or brothers and sisters
on their return. Fathers do not know
If the homes for which they worked
will still be available.
Predicts Joy and Sorrow.
The homecoming will be a glad at
fair. The men will rejoice to set foot
on their native soil. now free. But it
will be impossible in many instances
to have joy. There must be some sor-
row in the loss of kindred which could
not help but take place during the
long absence.
Grateful to America.
I'VE are very gratful to the Ameri-
can people for their aid to us in OBJ
tanning independence. 1 do not need
to say that. I do not need to say that
We shall never forget it, as your peo-
pie did not forget France, who helped
you in your days of liberation. We
will bring back with US tales which
will warm the hearts of our hearers
to the Americans all the more. You