Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Page 4 I M$ W 0 V Cl \V ♦ sob ,Jj I TRENCH AND CAMP •» CAMP HANCOCK, Augusta, Ga. . EDITION, 10,700 GEO. B. LANDIS and J. EDGAR PROBYN, Editors. Published gratis by THE HERALD PUBLISHING CO., Augusta, Ga. ISSUED EVERY WgDNESDZ ✓ Vol I—Oct. 31, 19M7.—N0. 4. Application has been made for TRxNCH and CAMP for entry as Mail Matter of the Second Class at the Augusta, Ga., Posfoffice. NOTICE. This edition of Trench and Camp is limited to 10,000 copies. An effort will be made to place one or more copies in every tent. If parties are desirous of other copies, application should be made to the nearest Y. M. C. A. building, where they will be gladly furnished as long as they last. As the edition Is limited to 10,000 copies, please do not throw your copy away, when you are through with it. Pass it on to some other fellow. News items, personals, programs, meetings, announcements, etc., from all the units in the camp will be welcomed by Trench and Camp and printed as far as space per mits. These communications can be left with secretaries at any of the Y. M. C. A. buildings and will be turned over to the editors. All copy should be turned in as early as possible. No copy can be hand led later than Monday noon, pre ceding date of issue. Trench and Camp will be issued every Wed nesday by THE AUGUSTA HERALD, Publishers of the Camp Hancock Edition of Trench and Camp. WAR AND WORDS. PROF. I. L. FOSTER. Among the various phenomena, show ing themselves in the presence of great national crises, there is none more in teresting than the development of litera ture and language during these crises. It is especially in the times of great wars, when ideals clash and the human mind becomes wrought to high pitch in its zeal for justice and righteousness, that, the results are most noticeable. As we look through the literary histories of all nations, we see certain phases of liter ary expression rising to abnormal heights under the spiritual impetus or man’s duty at the time of great need. Heroism and suffering seem to be the most potent in fluences leading to rich and durable ex— pression of human thought in verse and prose. At these times the literary revival is always the strongest in the field of poetry and song. It seems almost as if the human heart can best express its deepest feelings in measured lines. Ev,ery great war has had its poet and its singer who has stirred the people’ to unexampled deeds of heroism. There are several which stand out in special prominence in this field,, such as "la Marseillaise,” "The Star-Spangled Banner,” "Marching Through Georgia,” “Yankee Doodle,” "Dixie.” "America.” "The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The great Grench hymn, pregnant with litetary value as well as human heart throbs, has been worth many battalions to the hard-pressed armies of France. While throughout our broad land at the echo of the sunset gun thousands of our nation’s finest citizens stand at stirring strins of our great son of war and peace. Nor must we forget the work of Lowell, Whittier, Whitman and others, whose compelling verses led the nation through the darkness of sin and slavery into the light of freedom and justice. Prose has seemed to respond less readi ly to the call for spiritual leadership. Each period has had its great names in this field, each of whom has done yeo man’s service in awakening public con science. There is no more striking ex ample of this than Mrs. Stowe's “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” the great prose epic of the Civil War. Most of these books have a limited range of application and their value lies in the localized area of the cris is whch brugiht them into being- The present war has had practically the effect on literature as those preced ing. In the field of prose few, if any, real masterpieces have appeared born of the conflict or its problems. We natur ally think in this connection of "Mr Brit ling Sees It Through,” by H. G. Wells. This, however, can hardly claim a place among the enduring books of the day. “Carry On,” by Dawson; “Over The Top.” by Empey; “The Student at Arms,” by Hankey, have all three of them a certain personal touch which makes them read able and attractive, but they can hardly be classed as real literature. They are interesting to read to get the human equation in this titanic struggle between two ’Opposing spiritual ideals of justice and righteousness. The journalist has fought his way to public favor through stirring accounts of the herculean struggles of>mighty arm ies along miles of battle front. This war has been particularly favorable to the newspaper man and’he has taken full advantage of it. The great appeal to the imagination and the tremendous interest at stake have offered brilliant -chances for journalistic work from the field and many articles which might be reckoned as liter ary models have come from the pen of some of our best known writers, inspired to the enthusiasm of genius by the mar velous evolutions of myriads of men on the world's greatest battle fields. In poetry the output has been consider able, though, in general of rather medio cre value. There have been "Hymns of Hate” and answers thereto, but they have largely been relegated to the scrap basket, where they rightfully belong. Sev eral of the English poets, among them the laureate, have tried their hand and have given inspiring verses. Several of the TRENCH AND CAMP “men in khaki” have contributed real gems from the dugout and the trench. Among these should be mentioned young Rupert Brooks and Alan Seeger, both of whom wrote some enduring bits of melodi ous verse before their untimely “passing on.” Seeger, in his "Rendez-vous With Death,” has touched the high point of spiritual exaltation, and we watch a glimpse of the fighter himself, as he faces the future, red with his own heart’s blood. In song we have little of importance. Most of the march tunes that cheer the soldier on hikes and parades are old famiiiar airs. We have discovered two or three which are holding their own fair ly well. In this class put "Keep the Home Fires Burning:” "Smile, Smile, Smile;” “Tipperary,” “The Long Trail,” and oth ers of lesser popularity. It is not prob able that any of these will live after the war is over. It is also likely that some genius may some day discover a real song with a catching melody which will live and mark the “War of 1917.” It is, perhaps, in the coinage of new words and phrases, alive with the spirit of a nation, that this conflict has been most marked. We can find in these ex pressions the will and vision of a -whole .people, showing itself in permanent lit erary values. Note, for instance, phrases like "Carry on” with itn thrill of in domitable energy; "Do Your Bit,” with its undertone of sacrifice; "See It Through,” with its ring of unshakeable determination. Alongside of these may we not put “On les aura,” “We Shall Get Them,” marking the unflinching courage of the Frenchman and “On ne passe pas,” "They Shall Not pass,” the new motto, purchased with blood, of the heroic city of Verdun. There are' others also with the taint of slang from the trench and reeking field, which have earned their right to live. Some of them are remarkably touching and expressive. Can there be anything more appropriate than “Ging West” to express the passing of a heroic soul in a blaze of glory, as the radiant sun col ors with its effulgent rays the western horizon at the close of a cloudless day. How well, too, "Fed up” gives us the idea of sufficiency to the point of dis gust! In "Gumming the Game,” there is also a degree of expressiveness entire ly its own. when you want to emphasize the thought of spoiling well-laid plans. "Thumbs Up” does quite well for “ev erything is fine,” while “The best o’ luck may have a double signification as to what the luck brings with it. Tommy in the trenches speaks a lan guage quite his own and ves to the fa miliar things of his daily life peculiar names. It is well to learn his vocabu lary if you expect to be where he is. Like most Anglo-Saxops, to talk with Tommy you must talk the way Tommy talks. Some of his terms are bound to filter through into the language of the common people, and, through that, into the current language of the day in shop and market place. In common with other ideals, we must expect the standard of speech to be greatly modified by the titan ic struggle jn which we are now engaged. FLAMING YOUTH. Fate has all at once touched a hidden spring, and the old quiet times of yes terday have suddenly shot up very tall and very terrible before us. But thank God! He has touched an answering spring in the hearts of the young men, so that they, too, have leaped up, tall and heroic, to face the terror and great ness of the hour. The youth of the world is seeing and hearing something today that many an older person has failed to perceive. It is sad for those who are left behind, but it is not sad for the men themselves to offer their lives at. the climax of youth for the sake of a great adventure. It is sad to fear to make the offer, or to make is grud gingly, not knowing that there is a great adventure afoot, that the king dom of heaven has come nigh unto us. Maurice Barres in his paper, Young Soldiers of France, says: “Tracts of the French soul which had long lain fallow in us are beginning to be fruit ful once again; and these young men have won inner riches which we, their elders had lost, x x x Acceptance of sacrifice, the consciousness of a great presence at one’s side —we come across these again and again. x x x Tonight we leave for the trenches. To night I shall be watching oveh you, rifle in hand. You know who is watch ing over me.” Shall our young soldiers fail to climb tot he heights to which these others have ascended? And who would dare to hold them back from the at tempt ?”—Margaret Prescott Montague in the Atlantic Monthly. NOT AT CAMP HANCOCK OH, NO! The First Night at Camp. (By Corporal G. Caleb Clarke, 7th Co., C. A. C., Fort Screven, Ga.) I'm there with two thin blankets, As thin as a slice of ham, A German spy was likely to guy Who made ’em for Uncle Sani. How did I sleep? Don’t kid me! My bedtick is filled with straw, And lumps, and humps, and big fat bumps Tiiat punched me ’til I’m raw. Me, and my two thin blankets, As thing as the last thin dime— As thin, I guess, as a chorus girl's dress — Well. I had a deal of a time! I’d pull ’em up from the bottom — (My nighties, my B. V. D.’s) A couple o’ yanks to cover my shanks, And then my feet’d freeze! You could use them for porus plasters Or maybe to strain the soup, (My pillow, my shoes. When I try to snooze— And I’ve chilblains, cough and croup.) Me, and my two thin blankets. Bundled up under my chin— Yes, a German spy was likely the guy, And, gosh, but he made ’em thin. APPRECIATED BY AMBULANCE CORPS. My Dear Sir: I am glad of this opportunity to ex press my appreciation of the great work the Y. M. C. A. is doing among the soldiers of Camp Hancock. It Is not only my own opinion, but also that of thousands of other soldiers here, that I express when I say that this organization can not be over praised for its efforts to help the fel lows in this camp in every way. It certainly is deserving of the heartiest support of every individual who has the welfare and comfort of the soldier boys at heart. Let me give you some idea of the work it is cioing in Camp Hancock: There are eight Y. M. C. A. buildings in this place. These buildings are nothing more than large wooden shacks but they mean mucn to the fellows here. Inside there are benches and tables all along the walls, and here scores of soldiers are to be found ail hours of the day, writing letters. Sta tionery and writing facilities are pro vided free. In the evenings these writ ing tables are so crowded that we often have to wait our turn to get a chance to sit down and write. Letters and packages can be mailed here and stamps obtained too. Deliveries to the postoffice are made more frequently from the “Y” buildings than from the different company mail boxes. Every night there is something do ing in the way of free entertainment for the soldiers. In the building near est my company camp, movies are shown every Tuesda and Friday even ings. These shows are certainly ap preciated by the fellows and there is always a full house these two nights. Sunday and Thursday evening short devotional services are held. No long, tedious seiunons, but short, heart-to heart talks with plenty of singing and music, which appeal to the soldier au diences. The whole service doesn’t last over thirty or forty minutes. The other nights there is always something on the program. It may be a humerous lecture by someone in the employ of the Y. M. C. A., who travels from one camp to another, or perhaps a musical prograan rendered by some Augusta ladies’ club. Often the pro gram is left to the fellows themselves, and these nights the entertainments are by no means less pleasing than when given by professionals. In fact, quite the contrary. In one end of the room there is a piano and in the other a vietrola. These two instruments furnish plenty of mus ic and are worked overtime. The ladies of Augusta have put curtains up in all of the windows of this particular building, giving it a "homy” aspect. Here, too, these ladies gather at times and mend ail the clothes a fellow brings into them. When a fellow doesn't have any par ticular place to spend an evening he will always drift over to the “Y” to see what’s doing. Or if he is feeling a bit blue or discouraged he walks over to the “Y” where he is sure to meet some of the gang and he is soon in the best of spirits again. Every possible courtesy is accorded us by the Y. M. C. A. workers. These men often go out of their way to do a fellow a favor. They visit the sick and injured in the Field Hospitals and come and see the fellows in their tents. Magazines and Pennsylvania news papers are kept on file here. Here also the man can obtain good books with which to while away their leisure hours in camp. To appreciate the enormity of the Y. M. C. A.’s self-appointed task, one must visit the camps and see the great work they are doing. That they are performing this work is a highly’ cred ible and efficient manner every one of the 33,000 men stationed at Camp Han cock can testify. Very sincerely yours, HARRY T. ANDERSON. 437 Flagler St., McKeesport, Pa. (Now with Ambulance Co. No. 109.) OUR PURPOSE. We are going across the water To fight a glorious fight And the Grace of God is with us, As we labor for the right. We will take our place with Britain And with the valiant French And you’ll never see a slacker As we labor in the Trench We will bear aloft "Old Glory,” Across the tyrant’s land. As we carry light and freedom To his disilliusioned band. We will greet our German brothers As only Sammies can. We will show them naunght but friend ship When we meet them man to man. We wiil teach them how to profit With freedom as their guide, And the high and lordly autocrats Will slink away and hide. Democracy shall then prevail Upon this war-worn earth, And .we’ll return in triumph To the land that gave us birth. —Glenn D. McElhattan, Company D, 112th Infantry, U. S. A. A L TRUISTI C~ENC> EAVC R. The spirit of friendliness to one an other, among the men of the 108th Field Artillery is so noticeable that Battery A’s pet duck, “Bill.” has fallen in line and pays a friendly call to the Medica’ Corps’ pet dog, “Bismuth,” every morn ing. Bill also shows a fine spirit of .•ending a -helping hand by picking the fleas from "Bismuth’s” back. Oct. 31, 1917. SHRAPNEL-PROOF FIELD HOSPITAL On Monday evening, October 22nd, members of the Field Hospital No. 112 were the hosts at the fourth weekly en tertainment being tendered by the offi ces of the 28th Division, and to those people of Augusta who are finding their trips out to camp each Monday evening, becoming worth while. The Second Artillery Band left nothing to be desired in the matter of their se lections, the most popular by far being their medley of Plantation Melodies. Pri vate Thomas Bond’s-stirring recitations from our old friend Kipling and Private. Neelan’s oriental dancing specialty were other numbers very much above the or dinary. There were numerous solos, quartets, recitations, Hawaiian numbers, and a battle royal between seven of Ethiopia’s huskiest sons. These entertainments, inaugurated by Director of Field Hospitals Major Geo. S. Crampton, and at whose instance the platform with footlights and a pit for the orchestra were built, are becoming more popular eaeh week. Parking space is to be provided hereafter for the auto mobiles, since there is a tendency to impede traffic in the road, owing to the fact that there is insufficient room about the platform to accommodate them all. Competition among the hospitals re garding these entertainments is rather keen, as eaeh bunch of men are trying to outdo the others’ previous shows, but No. 112 seems to have just a shade upon the others, as they are able to point with some pride,—aside from their single and several abilities as entertainers, — to the shrapnel-proof field hospital and dressing station, such as are in use along the eastern and western allied fronts “Over There,” and which is now about completed and ready for inspection. The hospital is partly "dugout” and lias the familiar sand bag roof, covered by about six more inches of loose sand until it resembles just a large mound. It was built under the personal supervision of 112’s commanding officer, Major Theo. L. Hazlett, who has seen actual service along the Russian front, having been lieutenant colonel in the Russian Medi cal Corps. FOR GOD ANDJHE WORLD A Pennsylvania Physician’s Estimate of Camp Han cock Soldiers One of the most pleasant experiences of my life has been to visit the boys in Camp Hancock during this week. Asso ciating with them in their tents; partak ing of the mess served them; meeting them in the routine exercise and drill ing in camj; and mingling in the Y. M. C. A. buildings at the evening service, hearinb talks by the best known preach ers and speakers; I can truthfuly say that everything that can be done to make happy, cheerful, healthy, fully developed boys, is being accomplished. The conduct of the officers toward their subordinates, while authorative, is cour teous and tempered by the experience though which they have passed to arrive at their present positions. In return the boys thoroughly respect their superiors and have confidence in thei rmethods to prepare them for the struggle so nearly before them. While here I have seen the most won derful sacrifice on the part of our sol diers. Not only are they giving their lives to the cause, leaving pleasant homes and associates and remunerative positions, .but are all buying Liberty bonds to their utmost ability. Over sl.- 000,000 subscribed in this one camp. It is a lesson for the ones at home to read and assist in any object promulgated in the interest of the war, or conducive to better qualifying the soldiers that go forth to win the war. ft has been well said “soldiers win bat tles, but money wins the war.” Our duty as civilians should not be discounted by cur soldiers who are doing both. The Y. M. A. secretarial force is the most powerful influence at work. I have found them tireless in their efforts to please the boys and contribute to their physical comforts, and adding in every manner to their social pleasure and throwing the Gospel into their lives. Many are here having given up large salaries to fulfill the Master's injunction in their ministrations to these saviours of democ racy to the world. To my mind, no body of men ever went forth to do battle in the history of the world better equipped in ever respect, than our own glorious army, a typical division of which is located at Camp Han cock. Everywhere have I found the bovs seri ous in contemplation of the future, and hundreds have given decision for the Christian life this week alone. All are happy and apparently content to do their part in the purchase of freedom for the world. GEORGE L. BESWICK, M. D. _ _ . , . Wilmerding, Pa. Dr. Beswtek is a prominent physician in Western Pennsylvania, president of the Wilmerding Y. M. C. A. and rendered good service at Camp Hancock in con nection with the Sex Morality campaign. ~~UNCLE SAM ‘ NEEDS THE TIN. Food Must Be Canned. "Alaska produces about 150 tons of tin each year, but the United States requires some 60,000 tons,” says F. L. Waldo in the Public Ledger. "The food problem before us is a metal-lurgical problem,” said one of the Frankford Arsenal’s chemical staff. ‘Since food cannot always be eaten the day it is produced, when the material to can it is wanting, the food supply itself is menaced. Tin from Bolivia is now being smelted in New Jersey to th eextent of perhaps 10 per cent of'our needs. "But Bolivia is a long way from home! “Ninety per cent of our tin comes from the Straits Settlements the Malay Archipelago. “Tin is absolutely necessary to war making—as necessary as lead, copper or nickel. “The Germans are probably getting a good deal of their tin at p t from Turkey and the Orient.”