The Cordova daily times., 1916-08-05
'. M. |. \. CAMPS MOb|LIzED 0N
 BORDER

and Navy Department of the Young Mems Christian Association, dealing with the first general mobilization of the National Guard of the United States since the association was of ficially recognized by general orders of the war department, announces some interesting features of its plan for work among the troops on the Mexican border. The association plans to establish at least twenty five fully equipped branches at camps where there are brigades or single regiments of troops, and through these to de- monstrate the efficiency of the asso- ciation's work in soldier life.
 Regardless of the eventualities. the work will be carried on with vigor, the association leaders say, for al- though avoidance of war modifies the methods of the work, the concentra- ton of relatively permanent units of troops makes the Y. NJ. c. A. influence an even more necessary factor than in the event of war itself It is ex- plained that emphasis will be first laid upon work among the state troops because they have just been picked from civil life and need the kind of help the association can give, more than the regulars need such leader ship.
 In case of war troops would be sent across the line and shift positions so continuously that the Y. M. c. A. work would have to be conducted through small branches in the field. Without war, but with thousands of troops stationed along the border for an in- definite period, most of them in large garrisons or camps, and subject to emergency or patrol duty, conditions will exist calling for the utmost ef- forts on the part of the army Y. M. c. A. branches,
 Officers or the war department, from the secretary of war and the members of the general staff down, recognize the danger of breakdown in the moral and social ideals of the men in their new environment, and they are not only welcoming the associa- tion work, but urging that 1t be estab- lished wherever possible and offer ing cooperation to the fullest extent under military rules and regulations. Every step that has been taken has been after consultation with the high CT officers of the war department and the army and all plans for work at the camps are put into execution af- ter consultation with the commanders in the field. who are offering every possible assistance and cooperation.
 George A. Reeder, secretary of the Army and Navy Department of the Young Mems Christian Association. who is In charge of the work on the Mexican border, has had interviews with Secretary Baker, General Scott, the chief of staff, and other officers in Washington. All expressed them selves as extremely anxious that the association work should promptly be gotten underway. These officials dwelt on the discomforts and hard ships of the regular troops on the border, and said the militia, unusued to the climatic and service conditions, would find the life much harder than the regular troops.
 The association field work, like that of the army, has its organization and COu1mhuuSFS. Al tuc hCnu oi sho A&SN ican border work is Mir. Reeder, who has been designated as the executive secretary. Directly super vising the field work are field secre- taries.
 Of the reorganization of the border forces of the army into three depart ments is carried out. there will be three field secretaries, with offices near the general commanding each de- partment. Each field secretary will have general oversight of the aetfvi- ties of ;he camp secretaries. and they in turn will direct their assistants at each camp.
 Of the twenty-five association bran ches or units to be established. sev. eral already have their outfits in op' eration and report encouraging in terest and support from the troops Other branches are being organized as rapidly as material. equipment and men can be assembled. At nearly all