Trench and camp., 1919-05-08

NV pCOp1G ON 0@xIn are more 9ppfo-
c1ative Of q good job well done than
are those Of the United States. The
United States military and naval
forces made good job of helping
tneir allies to hnish of the Hun, and
IL was so well done that the world has
been amazed ever since. Such being
the case, can it be wondered that the
welcome being extended the men who
accomplished the results Is the great
est, most enthusiastic and most sys-
tematic ever extended returning he
roes?
Not for one moment did the folks
VINO remained behind waver in their
nrm belief that their sons would ac-
e0mplish the feat of rolling up the
apparently all-conQuering Teutonic
forces. They backed their faith to
the limit, and the faith was justified
by the outcome. Now the hackers of
the American soldiers and sailors are
expressing their appreciation of the
services of the men who turned the
trick. The welcome extended the re-
turning forces is not only an evidence
or anection, but of profound pride.
The home folks are receiving the in
dlv1dua1 as such to their bosoms, but
they are receiving him as a soldier,
sailor or marine with the further
sense that he performed an arduous
duty In self-sacrificing and uncom-
planning manner that will forever re-
dound to the glory of the nation.
1t Is felt that the best in the house
is none too good for the man who &C.
tualIy fought, or the one who was
ready to fight but was deprived OF his
ming In that direction, and had to con-
tent himself with the conscientious
discharge Of less spectacular but
equally important functions. The
fighter or would-have-been fighter is
receiving the helping hand as well as
the glad hand. He is not regarded as
an object Of charity, but as a friend
Of the family who has helped out in
time Of trouble, and is entitled to first
consideration. Among men Of the
kini who forced the Hun to sign the
armistice there Is no desire for char
ity or gratuitous aid. What they want
is to reenter civilian spheres with an
even break and the chance to over
come the natural obstacles in the bat
tie for success, as they overcame the
enemy on the battlefelds of Europe.
That the soldier shall have the
chance he desires after his release is
the determination Of all true Ameri-
cans, and they are making unprece-
dented efforts to assist him. 1t is
true that In the course Of readjust-
ment. which involves placing tens of
Thousands Of munition makers and
other war workers, in addition to the
men released from the military and
naval establishments, some over
cr0wding has resulted, and many men
have not found work as rapidly as
they hoped, but those who could bear
the hardships Of winter campaigning
In France without murmuring will
have the quiet courage and the we'll
balanced minds to bear the temporary
hardships that may befall them in the
States, without becoming sulien, and
falling easy prey to the professional
preachers Of discomfort and disorder
While the large cities are doing all
they possibly can to accommodate the
returning soldiers and sailors, they
have frankly become overburdened,
partly because of the foolish tendency
Of many discharged men to spend
their money recklessly where demobi-
Hzed, instead Of going home. Unem-
ployment Is the disturbing problem in
such cities &s New York, and will be
for many q day, but In the interior
the demand for workers of every sort
"a more than the supply. There is
more than abundant room and oppor-
tunity for both brains and brawn
away from the ports Of debarkation,
and the welcome fellow will receive
In communities where he in needed
win be one he can appreciate. 1t will
consist of more than decorations of
the streets and cheers from the ad-
miring throngs. The main features
will be the opportunity to decorate
himself inside with plenty of substan-
: tial grub, and the cheers will be sup
p1emented by queries about how soon
he viii be able to go to work.
It is natural that the doughboy
who has been on the other side for
months should wish relaxation. and
recreation in his own country after
he gets back. The point Is that he
should look for those elements in his
home town, where he will find the old
friends and neighbors more than
willing to help him forget the trials
and tribulations of war. If he thinks
he viii find the hometown sympathy
and appreciation in the large cities
near the debarkation and demobfliza-
+. ton points, it might as well be plainly
stated that he is sure to be disap-