New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-08
CHRISTIAN WORK IN ARMY.
THE Y. NJ. c. A.. UNDER A NEW NAME.
SPREADING ITS INFLUENCE.
THE CHRISTIAN COMMISSION NOW TO LABOR
WITH THE SPANISH PRIsoNERs-ENE-
MES OF THE CANTEEN.

WITH THE SPANISH PRISoNERs-ENE-
MES OF THE cANTEEN
Secretary Long has issued permit to the Army
and Navy Christian Commission to work among
the Spanish prisoners Portsmouth. n. H.. and
two men who can speak Spanish are already on
the way. fully equipped for the same class OF work
which is being done among the boys on deck and
In the camp OF the Navy and Army. This work
will consist OF the distribution OF literature In
Spanish books and periodicals. including the Bibie
supplying stationery OF all kinds games for out
doors and in. and the general evangelical work
similar TO that carried on among the Americans
william p. Mar secretary OF the Commission
when about the general prosperity OF the
work in hand said:
Wherever the door Is opened for our WORK.
whethe at the front or In the training camp. we
stand ready to send men fully equipped and wen
trained for this special service among the soldiers
We sent two to Cuba the other day 10 open
up the work at Santiago. this being the FIRST OPP
portunity afforded for its introduction in that con-
quered city.
This Commission is really the Young Mems
Christian Association. AS "A rose by any otner
name would smell sweet so We thought that
the work needed to he done could be carried oh
under another name effectively. perhaps more
So hence the name. No sooner Rad war been de-
clared than letters and telegrams began 10 pour IN
at the International Committees Office urging I'M
mediate action relative to an organized WORK ior
the soldiers in camp and field and FOR the JACK
Tars The committee quickly recognized It's oppo.-
tuntv and the present Commission was createo'
one OF the field secretaries being detailed as us
executive Officer and the labor was begun
From the beginning we have had the nearly sup
port OF the authorities AT Washington az wen as
the cooperation Of the officers ana men vi "s
Army and Navy. .
,vrsn making q general survey OF the field II
was decided that $4,000 would be needed at once 70
begin the work and place I on sure tounnaton'
The movement has increased FAR bsyohn on, eA-
pec,ations. and now. 10 carry II for"arn !"
October l. more than three times that amount
will be needed Frederick b. Schenck. who took
the place made vacant by the resignation OF MT
&. John in the memorable campaign or 1870 as
president Of the Mercantile National Bank. Is the
treasurer CT the Commission and all contributions
should be sent to him.
AT the start the canteen caused large amount
of trouble hlndering work in many directors
hut this was soon checked. and now We are either
counteracting its evil influences or wiping IL out
entirely All this work against the canteeh Is car
red on in such a quie' and diplomatic manner that
we have not excited the antagonism OF the o"icefs
Indeed most OF them give US open and sympatheuc
sIoport For example, at Camp Thomas Soiohei
Pew OF the sth Massachusetts,. the other day made
a proposition that II any one would furnish n's
regiment with distilled water he would order the
canteen closed. This challenge was accepted "
Secretary Oliver OF Boston. who Is In charge OF the
I same day. In another case. where the cah,een
had a 500 per day trade In beer. II was reduced 10
about 500 in a few days. and has subsequently oeeh
closed entirely. All this Is accomplished "ithou'
arbitrary rulings by the officers. and usually Dy 'hs
common consent of the majority Of officers ana men,
wherever the Commission has tent the men
are ahundan,ly supplied with pens, INK ana sta.
tionery Everything which will convert the camp
into homelike place. so far as these conVehiehces
are concerned is done for the beneht OIL the SUI
diers Games Of all kinds played indoors incun'hs
cbeckers chess domnos. etc. are supplied freey.
huo ,,os, who prefer the outdoor games are not
,orgo,ten For such We have supplied footoaiA
baseballs and bats. basketball ana al tampa
ter nolo These games act AS pre'eh""e "
Indulgence IN gambling and dehauches by the men.
I, all nroha blity nostalgia IL warded on IN many
more cases than 1t would otherwise DC "'~
| these opportunities for amusement
| "Eyerywhere find the warmest reception at
,be hands If both officers and mer. All. or nearly
oil seem eager for the Christian Influences which
we bring into the camp. The utmost respect u
manifested in our meetings. which Is IN marked
contrast 10 the order observed and maintained In
tho theatres and places Of amusement opened near
the camrs When attending entertainments the
bows not infrequently yell In the most poisterous
manner and fire or their revolvers 10 maniest
,be,r approval which is made much worse when
dIsannroyal is aroused while In our meetings men
90 immediately elected by their comrades who VIII
no, remain quiet and orderly. Recently the konsh
Riders from Wisconsin attended ore Oh ""' se'
.,oas ord hogan TO create a disturbance when they
wore promptly lassoed by the boys from l'Has anu
bouIad out when the meeting proceeded without
further interruption. The next day the Wisconsin"
hovs came around and apologizel. and made an
URGENT request that Il tent be opened up IN their
regiment. n,
appointment among the field secretaries IS 'oone'
Frank " smith OF Boston. who Il a hero or An
dersonvlle and a veteran OF the 'lVn Waf' III
"a he
into roars Of laughter by telling them that ne was
wounded twenty-seven times In the Civil war
twenty.six times In his feelings ana once stuh-
Hing over a log AT Fair oaks and sSinnng h's shih
This was followed by an appeal 10 any one VINO
xould "a come forward and shake haafs. thereby
nIeds,ng himself TO lead \ clean NE. After mo-
m,nts hesitation a young lieutenant rose In the
rear and marched forward. when AL the boys
cheered vociferously Well IN 10 a thousand men
are led pledge themselves 10 ths sfrNIce vi
about the middle - June steps were taken 70
find and eauip men WHO would so 10 Manila. ana
to-day have received he hrst reIort rom ~,
mon who have been IN tie field some time. most
favorabe report concerning their reception and me
way in which the w2r orsns Is n a ,na, ssld
I'm to date ". have sen, 90 ah1 equipped iS'
men who laborng in neen diTe RE, ,o
the armies We shall be obliged 10 continue me
work 1t Will be kept up 80 iorH a. ,p''e "'e any
"One OF the little items which We have iouna
popular with the men is the tie iden,iit o ~.
which We have 81. PIT continuing Spt the distribution
is small piece Of oiled parchment paper; win
ruled lines for the Icing Sf as to
its use and given stout cord sprcHH ,rrhgs 1,,is
with which to ' suspend ,b Of rG the list The
boys have A great horror OF being killed IN sucn
manner that nothing VIII be Ieit OF '"e" ny "''
they be identified