Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-21
7. M. C. A. ON A CRUISER.
Branch Formed While the
Brooklyn Was at Sea.
ENGLAND COPYING OUR SYSTEM.
A. II. Wheeler, With Several Assist
ants and a Complete Camp Equi-
page, Sent to south Africa-The T. hill
ippines and Guam Have Branches
ment.

Nature OF Major keIton's Equip
ment.
W. 4. Millar. secretary of the inter
national committee Of the Young Mems
Christian association. was notified re-
Gently that a branch of the association
had been organized on board the Unit
ed States cruiser Brooklyn. The branch
was formed il miGocean. while the
cruiser was on its way to re-enfcrce
the command of Rear Admiral Watson
At Manila. says the New York Com
nerciai Advertiser. The news was sent
to Mr.. AIillar from Gibraltar.
The members of the naval branch re-
ceive tickets which will be recognized
at any branch at which the sailor pre-
SentS it, Branches have been estab-
lished at the navy yard in Cavite, in
the Philippines. and in Guam. When
the war and navy departments deter
mined to garrison the island of Guam.
the International committee realized
that the men detailed there would have
a dreary time of il unless some steps
Were taken TO interest them while off
duty. Mr.. Millar communicated with
Secretary Long and was Informed that
the navy department would be plea sed
10 have an association established in
the island and would furnish transpor-
tation for the Y. VI. {. \. representa-
tive and stores.
Major Keiton. an experienced y. NJ
G. a. worker. was selected to go with
the expedition which sailed under
Lieutenant Lcary. The members of the
committee are expecting excellent re-
suits from the branch established at
this point. as the men detailed To duty
on the island are practically shut Off
from the rest of the world and will
consequently appreciate the books,
magazines and games sent by the com
mittee. Mr.. Millar is now preparing
for Il second shipment OF magazines
and books to this station. Only two
mail steamships stop at the island in
each year Besides the regular line of
equipment Major Kelton has 100 base
balls. 100 baseball bats, masks, gloves
and protectors. footballs, handballs.
fencing foilS and apparatus for out of
door athletics. which the garrison will
be allowed TO use.
The work among the American sol
diers and sailors has already attracted
the attention of foreign countries, and
at the outbreak of the South African
war the British authorities brought
the matter TO the attention of the Y.
NJ. G. \. authorities in London. 1t was
taken up Immediately and after eX-
amlning the system adopted by Mr..
Millar in the American army the men
in charge of the y. NJ. &. \. work in
England adopted practically the same
plan used on this side and sent \. ii.
Wheeler. with a number of assistants
and complete camp equipage, TO South
Africa. y tent was raised at Port
Elizabeth and another is 10 be estab-
lished AT Durham. Owing TO the noun
famous condition of the country in
which the British will be compelled
to carry on their operations. ii may be
impossible. however, for the Y. NJ. &.
4. field secretary to move his tent from
place To place with the troops at the
front.
The transport Sandman, which sew
eraI weeks ago sailed from Quebec
for South Africa with the Canadian
volunteers. was accompanied by DIR.
II. G.. Barrie. who will remain with
the soldiers until they return DR..
Barrie was formerly provincial sccre-
tary of the Y. NJ. c. \. in Ontario. with
offices III Toronto, and was in close
touch with the work of the iuterna-
tional committee of New York city.