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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



© Committee on Public Information 



A CORNER IN CORRESPONDENCE AT A SOLDIER CITY POST-OFFICE 



Letters from home are vital factors in maintaining and elevating the morale of the men 

 in camp. The student soldier works better and learns to fight harder when encouraged and 

 heartened by words of cheer from those whose service to democracy lies in civilian fields of 

 activity. 



the men with more training gave great 

 attention to giving it properly. 



EXPLAINING THE NECESSITY OF THE 

 SALUTE 



I sought to win the sympathy and con- 

 fidence of the boys by reference to the 

 fact that my own son is an enlisted man 

 in the field artillery. I think it enforced 

 my argument in favor of the necessity of 

 the salute, by pointing out that I would 

 not be likely to approve it if it was any 

 evidence of his inferiority or servility. 



The freedom and independence that an 

 American youth enjoys make it necessary 

 to have the reason for such a ceremony 

 explained to him. His self-confidence 

 and his self-conceit make it irksome to 

 him, at first, thus to register his subordi- 

 nate position or to obey implicitly, as he 

 must, if he would be a good soldier. His 

 love of initiative and his intuitive lack of 

 discipline make it hard for him to con- 



form to the rigid requirements of military 

 life, but after he has acquired the habit, 

 then his initiative, his willingness to as- 

 sume responsibility, his intelligence, and 

 his independence add greatly to his effect- 

 iveness as a soldier. 



It is these traits, under proper disci- 

 pline, that are now making our brigade 

 and division commanders so proud of 

 their drafted men. 



Next in importance to the control and 

 influence exercised by their commanders 

 is the environment and opportunities for 

 occupying their leisure which the Young 

 Men's Christian Association affords to 

 the men of these cantonments. In a di- 

 vision there are frequently as many as 50 

 Y. M. C. A. secretaries. They are dressed 

 in a neat khaki uniform, with a red tri- 

 angle on their arms, and they live a life 

 of soldierly routine. There is the prin- 

 cipal headquarters of the Association in 

 each camp and one great auditorium, 



