Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-25
Y. NJ. C.. A. WORK IN THE
JAPANESE WAR.

and persons wanted to go to the front.
Religious bodies were especially eager. But
like the war correspondents they were kept
waiting, the Y. M. G.. A. among them. In
deed. it had been said that the opposition
to Christianity in the army had been push
ed to the very limit of treaty rights While
various self-esteeming gentlemen of the
press were being deported for manifesto
lions of their Impotence. the associa ton
patiently waited and worked. Finally its
day came All other Christian enterprises
We're debarred from the scene of warfare.
But three representatives of the assocfa-
ton two Japanese and one American, with
their equipment, were started for Antung.
During two weeks detention at Chinampo
they spent their time in serving the gar
rison. So when the three secretaries re-
sumed their journey it was with the cor
dial Endorsement of the commandant at
the latter place At Antung the authorities
gave the best located building in the city
for the Y. M. G.. A. workers. and soon the
secretaries proved the worth of their work.
Promptly. and with the most unusual CO.
operation on the part of Off1cfals, as SHOWN
by free transportation of men and supplies,
granting privileges for mail and kilograms,
details of soldiers for manual labor, etc,
the association work expanded until it has
eleven bases established and reached even
to the firing line. The status speedily at
tanned by the workers is evident from the
fact that it soon became an ordinary occur
renee for commanders of regiments to
salute the American secretaries as If they
were superior officers.
The type of religion displayed was most
practical; the approval of the Japanese was
not accorded for any sentimental considera-
tions. Simply because the Y. M. c. A.
proved useful to the soldier it was well
coined and assisted. Thus during the en-
tire campaign. 1885 600 pieces of stationery
were distributed. but only 10000 pieces OF
religious literature. In even more marked
proportion 1.752 concerts were provided for
the men, and only 613 religious meetings.
OF course, the entire project was avOwedly
Christian but its faith was displayed by
its works rather than by words. 1t was
the religion of good deeds. and so even
the most ignorant coolie in the ranks could
comprehend 1t.
Recreation diversion, accommodation and
inspiration were the aims of the Y. M. c. A.
rooms. Here a soldier could find place to
write, home and free stationery. Every one
of the three and a quarter million pieces of
stationery, bearing the Christian name. as it
did. became a silent evangelist Tor the
corner of the empire 1t carried the news
that Christians were brotherng the man
at the front And, naturally, every letter
written told of the comforts and pleasures
provided by this Young Mems Christian AS
ISOLATION. Could the most b.goted Buddhist,
in the remotest rural region, cherish i'll
will toward religion that was so helpful
Bath house, tea house, barber shop, music
hall, library tailor shop, writing room and
lounging room were all combined In these
Y NJ c. A. quarters. The men were sup
piled with innumerable games, including
base bali (the American national game has
become ubiquitous), archery fencing and
fishing tackle. This last enabled the men
to vary their meager diet, and at some
places literally hundreds of men would be
found lined up along the bank of a stream
fishing for fun and a dinner 1t takes little
maginatio to read into the following fig
ures Just issued. a novel and far-reac ching
ministry that fairly stirred the nation, and
called forth from every general in the field,
and from the prime minister and minister
Of war, the strongest expressions of ap
prevail and gratitude Three-quarters of
million different individual soldiers were
touched by the work About $4,000 SOL
diers entered the eleven different branches
during the war some men more than once
of course, which explains the enormous to-
tai. Eighty-eight thousand obtained buttons,
soap. thread, patches. etc. Books were Dor
rowed by $4,000 men. and 152. 600 used the
facilities of single branch were employed
by $4,000 soldiers. In addition, hundreds of
visits were made by the workers to hospi-
tails and barracks and camp at distance
from the association bases.
After the days work was done the secre-
taries generally had to stay up late at night
putting the overworked hair-clippers into
condition for the morrow. The wounded
mems hair was cut by the secretaries them
selves. pathetic incident of the sort OF
ministry required is related by Secretary
Hubbard: Zone day a man accosted me
with: viii you please wash my face? I
looked at him and saw that he certainly
needed it, and that both arms were in
sings, his hands having been shot away,
He had not had chance to wash his face
for two weeks before he was wounded. So
started In. But soap and water had no
effect on that accumulated dirt, so / finally
had to scrape the man clean. Then cut his
matted. bloody hair, and when 1 got
through the man was weeping for gratitude
He could not utter word of thanks-.and
when the politeness of the Japanese deserts
him he Is In a pretty bad way"
All this work was done by force of only