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Soldiers Must Be Physically Fit
By Regis Welsh, Fifth-sixth Brigade
Headquarters.
In every mode of life, red blood is a
requisite that is absolutely essential to
success. And the real red blood, the
kind that thrills over victory, over the
success of difficulties that seemed in
surmountable, and eventually makes
its predominate over all obstacles, is
obtained by an open, free and athletic
life. One look through that famous
publication, “Who’s Who In America,”
will prove that the assertion is true be
yond argument. Men who have become
prominent factors in civil life, promot
ers and architects of some of the big
gest schemes and successes of this
great nation, have laid the foundation
of their success by struggles in the
open, either in athletics to gain pre
dominance in that branch of life for
which they were best fitted.
When, after two years of' silent
acquiescence in the unrestricted, un
lawful acts of the German Emperor, in
his fitful struggle for world’s supre
macy, this country was drawn'into the
vortex of the world war, some persons,
termed pacifists, loudly proclaimed that
this country was wholly unready to
cope with and demolish the gigantic
machine which then |>id fair to control
all Europe and spread its tentacles to
this side of the ocean. Our President
felt that his course in declaring war
was right and justifiable and in accord
ance therewith this country was drawn
into the fray. Howls went up from
those who looked upon war Ss a curse
from the Most High and did not real
ize that only by such a procedure could
the world be made safe for the methods
of living for which the world had been
created and peopled.
The first step taken by the govern
ment was the calling into service of
all members of its Regular Army and
the National Guard. This represented
the cream of the fighting force of this
country but in numbers it v'as a mere
handful compared to the millions w’ho
had already laid down their lives on the
battlefteldo sf Europe. Census figures
in 1916 showed that in this country
there were 21,000,000 young men, be
tween the ages of 21 and 31, and upon
these did the government base its hope
of bringing the war to an early and
successful conclusion. The draft was
the next step taken, drawing from the
ranks of those eligible over one-third
of their number.
B '■
Have You Written
MOTHER
SOLDIER BOY
—or have you failed
to send your weekly
“chat” for lack of
Attention ° ur line
Army Men ° F * ne Wrlting Paper>
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DO DEVELOPING J v \ T 1 A 1
Send Us The Handsomest and
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in the city.
WHEN
SHALL WE
EXPECT A CALL
* FROM YOU, SOLDIER BOY
You’re Welcome.
JOWITT’S
864 Broad Street. Augusta, Ga.
BZ_ ZIIZZZIZZZZIZ^
TRENCH AND CAMP
To take a man from cis? life, wheth
er it be at the desk, the shop, the
factory or any other mode of industrial
occupation and throw him into the
open life of soldiering, w r as a problem
to conjufe with. To most people tht>
one thought of being a soldier is to
shoulder a gun and be an expert
marksman. Rittle idea is given to the
fact that before a man can be depend
ed upon to do his utmost as a soldier,
he must be as physically fit as a base
ball player, football player or fighter
who is matched with an able adversary.
Conditioning 1,500,000 naen was the
problem that confronted the govern
ment and the first step taken in this
direction was fostering of athletics.
Setting up exercises to bring into play
muscles that had lain dormant for
years has been a part of the army
training from time immemorial. In a
time of peace, these simple little work
ings of the muscles. sufficed for the
soldier. But these are extraordinary
times and necessarily must have extra
ordinary methods to attain success. So
it became evident that if our soldiers
were to emerge victorious in a hand-to
hand struggle in No .Man’s Land that
something more than setting up exer
cises would be necessary to accomplish
it. The original setting up exercise
schedule was elaborate and two hours
each morning was prescribed for this
part of the training. * After several
weeks these became almost obsolete
and it is little wonder that the native
and up-North visitors gasp in open
mouthed wonderment when they visit
camp and see company after company
of men engaged in races, hurdling,
football, boxing and basketball.
To them it appears on the surface as
one grand, big picnic and they are fear
ful lest when the time comes these
same soldiers will be unable to uphold
the confidence placed in them by the
millions at home. But to those who
have gained by experience of the three
years of the war “over there,” the ath
letic feature of camp training has un
divided support. Being a soldier is not
wholly confined to marching in parade
or gring a few shots from being an am
buscade at a hidden enemy. Little does
the average civilian think of the cold,
the rain and the mud and other disad
vantages that must be confronted be
fore the enemy can be reached. Little
thought is given to the man in uniform
and his ability to withstand day after
day on short ration, when pursuing the
enemy and beyond reach of the com
forts of garrison life. Then the cour
age, grit, stamina and endurance gain
ed by careful athletic training, are
brought into play. Then it is that con
fidence, imbued by victory in the
game about camp, is brought to the
surface and confidence, coupled with
the knowledge that all physical dis
abilities can be overcome, is what will
eventually bring the American soldier,
who today plays gleefully in some
National Guard or National Army can
tonment, “over the top” to victory.
The fostering and promoting of ath-
Trench and Camp
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Steel Cots,
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All Feather Pillows,
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Camp Chairs,
Folding Chairs,
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Folding Tables,
U. S. A. Army Trunks,
Suit Cases.
Second Floor
BAILIE-EDELBLUT
FURNITURE CO.
703-710-712 Broadway
Phene 1632.
THE
MERCHANTS BANK
Extends a Most Cordial Wel
come to Soldiers, Visitors
and New Citizens.
Our ample capital, favorable connections, conve
nient location and large corps of efficient assistants
who are trained to courtesy and the transaction of
business in the simplest, most direct manner enable
us to offer a most satisfactory service to those desiring
to transact banking business, large or small.
Accounts, subject to check, large or small, are
invited. We conduct a Savings Department in which
we pay interest at the rate of 4 per cent per annum,
compounded. Deposits are accepted in any amount
from SI.OO up.
We have a large number of safe deposit boxes
which we offer for rent for storage of valuables and
other papers, at very low prices, ranging from $3.00
to $25.00 per year.
Please remember our bank is located at No. 821
Broad street, in the center of the city.
MERCHANTS BANK
AUGUSTA, GA.
CAPITAL AND SURPLUS $500,000.00.
ALBERT S. HATCH, E. E. ROSBOROUGH,
President- Cashier.
Wm. H. BARRETT, B. H. ELLISON,
Vice President. Assistant Cashier. '
Complete Lines of Christmas Jewelry at
Reasonable Prices.
GUARANTEE JEWELRY COMPANY
Popular Price Jewelers.
976 Broad Street. Phone 484.
Nov. 28, 1917.
letics, upon a basis that does not make
it monotonous, has been the best thing
introduced in army life since this coun
try has had men under arms. And as
"the proof of the pudding is in eat
ing it,” so also will the great body of
young men in training, prove, beyond a
question of doubt, that the athletic
training received while wearing the
khaki, has been the biggest and best
step taken to make the American sol
dier the peer of any engaged in the
conflict across the sea.
Needful Articles
—FOR—
Sammie Boys
Bedding Rolls,
Clothing Rolls,
Laundry Bags,
Gun Covers,
Pistol Covers,
Post Cards,
Tent Rugs,
Tents Made to Order.
First Floor
T. G. BAILIE
& CO.
708-710-712 Broadway
Phone 1632.