Show PROVE CONSIDERABLE AID TO COMMANDERS 5 IN CANTONMENTS i Officers Pay Tribute to to I S Young Men of Athletic i 55 Turn Tum of Mind Encourage I Sports With Big Programs By Paul Pail Purman I I was won on theS the W l f S football oo ball fields of Eaton V This was the Duke of ot Wellington's comment after atter the defeat defeat m of Napoleon and never has Its truth been realized po o much as inthe Inthe in inthe the the- present war war warrn British Canadian and Australian soldiers the the grea er part hom had been athletes soon proved that man manfor mantor for tor mart man they were better than han German I soldiery S I American troops troops h have ve p proved oved the value of ot athletic training i When America first entered the war II elaborate preparations were made for tor athletic activities in cantonments and this has baa been successfully carried through by th the commission on training camp activities headed by Dr Joseph E. E The value of athle athletics in developing our soldiers into two fisted fighting plen men nen has been attested by commanding command command- ing officers at many camps in tate state statements State State- ments made e to the commission S The 1116 opinions follow tollow Major General Charles H. H Muir commanding officer division Camp Hancock Georgia says S 5 Athletics at as carried on at this camp have had a very good effect In developing the fighting efficiency of the soldiers by getting them In good physical shape and keeping them contented S Major General A A. A p P. P Blockson Thirty fourth division Camp Cody N N. N M. M says Athletics develop Initiative agil Ity coordination aggressiveness and endurance Added to this they teach quick accurate thinking under stress Brigadier General W VY H. H Sage Thirty eighth division Camp Shelby Miss Min says saYI In my mind the tho Importance of athletics In the army Is secondary In i ra Importance only I to drills and military I Instruction Colonel M M. M B B. B Stewart chief of staff Seventy division Camp Devens Mass says saYI Physical fitness Is the foundation upon which fighting efficiency Is II built and anything that contributes to the of the soldiers soldier's phy Ilque Is In a corresponding degree contributing to his lighting fighting ef ef ci- Brigadier General Frank L. L Vinn ninth Eighty division Camp Funston Kansas says Athletics Increases the endurance and self confidence of the man and It affords a form of relaxation and recreation which Is so co much needed by the fighting men during their pe periods pe- pe node of inactivity Athletics has a place In the training of fighting men me clearly as Important as 81 skill at arms All phases of training must go hand 1 In hand Major General Henry T. T Mullen Ninetieth division Camp Camp Travis x Texas saYIl I Boxing undoubtedly Is I. one of the most valuable forms of ot physical training which a soldier can have Especially Is this true In the case of the bayonet bayon t man whose physical power is an absolute essential and whoso whose grea greater greaser er speed peed and punch than S his opponent make him a sure lure win ner ncr In a bayonet fight Major General H. H A. A Greene division Camp Lewis Lewla Washington say One has only to compare the ap of this command today with that presented at the time they re reported reported re re- ported for duty here to be convinced of the value of athletic training In developing fighting men Major General J J. J F Morrison Eighth division Camp Fremont Call fornia says liay Team work work- the tho team spirit company com corn pany feeling feel and pride are very Im Important Irn In fitting men for the test of battle Developing the above Is greatly helped by teams from one or ort or atlon competing with others Major General H H. H I- I U. U Scott com corn manding mantling general Camp Dix N. N 4 1 J J. says In connection with the represents furnished this cantonment by your commission on to assist In the promulgation pro of athletics throughout this camp I beg to tOI submit to you my ap predation prec of the value of athletics ath at the present time both In devel the American soldier and In providing for healthful recreation at such times as he may not be actively engaged In military work |