AMERICA’S MILITARY DELINQUENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1918, Page 3

AMERICA’S MILITARY DELINQUENTS.

HOW BACKSLIDERS ARE REFORMED. SAN FRANCISCO, June 25. When a nation has 2,000,000 men under arms, and especially when those f-lj)00,000 soldiers, having been but recently called from civilian life, are being remoulded along the lines of military discipline, it is only natural and expected that some of them will fall before they can stand —-will violate Army traditions and regulations and must pay the penalty for mis-con-duci. Thus there is occasional mention in the newspapers of the United States of soldiers in training camps whose transgressions have drawn “prison sentences” They .go to Alcatraz Island, in San Francisco Bay. Only they don’t call it a' “prison” any more. Instead, Alcatraz now has

“disciplinary barracks. Pacific, branch.” Moreover, there has been, as in, the name, a change in methods and purpose. Instead of being a prison; Altontraz has become, dating three years ago, a place where the “down and outers,” the men who disgraced the United States uniform by careless or reckless transgression, tire ■■mado *>ver” into honourable, selftrespeoting citizens, qualified and anxious again to take their places in this world of individual competition. Such weaknesses as they may have had—for instance, inclination to indulge in strong liquolr—are corrected under cheerful surroundings. Ambitions that have been dulled are brought again to a sharp edge. Aptitudes are discovered,, and training is made to promote future usefulness. Just as soon as a! man shows he has the will and heart to “mnko good” outside, officers interest themselves in his case to secure his liberation on parole. The records of Alcatraz nre full of such cases, and also of the latter evidence showing how rarely have such opportunities been wasted. Paroled men. it lias been found, rarely disappoint those who have recommended

their freedom. Innumerable letters or file prove this. The niott write hack to testify their appreciation of the value of their training in the disciplinary hayracks, and to tell how well and how straight they nre walking. Often ihev state, that thanks to the instriuu tion received while at the haracks. they have been enabled to earn more money than ever before in their lives. Homo of them mention buying Liberty bonds or subscribing to the ! Rod Cross. There are virtually no ‘ “backsliders.” The vocational department i 3 training men. to be. clerks, bakers, engineers, tailors, bookbinders, plumbers, printers, carpenters, painters, and a score of other .trades. /