El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-05-14

. their hearts content without fear OF
reprimand-
Although so percent Of the ques-
tiOnnaires went TO men supposed 10
be dissatisfied with the service. $50
percent stated that their army life
had benefited them in one or more
ways, and only 10.5 percent believed
they had not been benefited; 70 per
cent are glad they received their mill
tary training for its own sake. apart
from their patriotic pride in having
served when their country called -
percent favored a system Of universal
military training; s percent opposed
II and 1 percent did not commit them
selves.
Better-fitting and beter-looking
uniforms and improvements in tne
mess were the most usual sugges-
tious- II percent Of the men asked
food usually complaining that the
kitchen personnel was not sufficiently
trained; 10 percent wanted better
quality Of food or a different diet
A number asked for the same priVl-
teges civilians have in regard 10
drinking, but most Of the men seemed
satisfied with the entertainment and
social life offered the soldiers during
the war. Some few complained that
TOO much care was taken Of the sol
der in this way, demanding that he
be allowed to invent OF find his own
amusements.
Morals Benefited.
OF the 1881 men answering the
questions, so stated that their relig-
ion had been harmed while in the
service, but l37 believed their religion
had benefited; so claimed harm done
TO their morals, and 22z thought they
were benefited in this way; 3OS men
toned that they were benefited in
their habits. and 97E in their health
or physical strength
The answers to the questions as to
the necessity for the disciplinary re-
lations between officers and men
show that a big majority Of the men
, believe they are necessary. that good
discipline and familiarity cannot CO.
exist. and that the treatment OF the
men is more fair when the officers do
not mix socially with their own men
The men questioned are representa-
tives Of 10000 Of a division that was
ready for overseas service when the
arr stice was signed.
An ANALYSIS OF the answers OF the
men opposed to military training in
dicates that they are generally OF the
small minority that is constitutional
" opposed to any kind Of supervision
or control One representative Of this
tyne expressed himself thus:
Il don't think I have received any
benefits I need no guidance and &C
cent none I depend upon my own ex-
perienCe and not what 7 am told Drive
all the refOrmers and uDlifters out Of
camp. lTen able TO be decent officers
are scarce There are very few people
capable Of handling anything or any
body. The argument in favor Of uni
versal training is that IL creates a
respect for authority and improves the
mind and body I don't consider So
called respect for authority good
The Questions. 81
The questions put TO the men wers
as to their opinion OF the benefits
gained by military service, physically.
morally and otherwise; the effect Of
the service on their finances and pros
poets in life asking suggestions as 20
food and equipment asking for criti-
cisms Of military training and disci-
pline and opinions as TO the desira-
hflity Of universal military service
and others dealing with the impress
sions gained during their term OF
service.
The average age shown on the re-
turned missionaries was p years
and months. The great majority Of
the men were in the draft age
Here are q few typical answers and
comments OF the men:
Some Answers.
The army has riven me a broader