Evening journal., 1916-02-23
Y. NJ. c. 4. WAR RELIEF WORK.

WILMINGTON members OF the Young Mems Chris
w tan Association should experience much satis-
faction in knowing that the general organization to
which they belong is doing exceedingly important
work in the European
We in receipt interesting letter from San
don Perkins, Of No. S37 West Fify-eghth street, New
York city. in which he makes various suggestions
relative to the enlargement of those association
tivities. Mr. Perkins is a Fellow Of the Royal Geo
graphical Society. lie also has done lecture work in
this country in effort to accentuate the relief work
the other side OF the Atlantic. Special attention
has been called by him to the work Of the Y. NJ.
A. He asserts it has been splendid in almost all the
war-stricken countries
Mr. Perkins says that huts tents have been estab
lished in one thousand centres which freely
open to the soldiers and prisoners, irrespective of
tionelity, language religion. These huts are lounge
restaurant. church. school, reading and writingroom
combined, and their popularity and use to the lat
ter, is proved by the fact that twelve million
pieces OF stationery used each month by soldiers
and prisoners writing to their friends and relatives.
letters which would probably be written but for
this organization
Religious services are held at various times in the
room by ministers of the Roman Catholic. Greek
and Protestant Churches. Cnematograph and other
entertainments provided. and in the schools the
taught many useful subjects in their leisure
time and kept away from the drinking dens which
abound in the vicinity Of many military camps No
religious faith Is recognized, and theological
creed is imposed emphasized promulgated.
This point r 80 emphasized that the Indian
native troops are gladly welcomed.
These clubs are doing a great humanzng work in
the various training camps and among the interned
civilians and prisoners Of war. OF the latter Of which
Il is estimated there about two million in Ger
many and equal number in the camps of the
Allies.
In France. Of The best evidences Of the real
cess Of the work. is the statement OF a commander,
that since the establishment Of the hut in his district
he had scarcely OF drunkenness and that
sickness had greatly decreased.
This work is being carried on under the leadership
OF DR.. John r. Mott of the International Y. NJ. c. A.,
assisted by band Of trained volunteers. who hu-
man enough to understand that the soldiers need a
good smoke we'll as good food and catholic enough
TO work with OF every religious creed.
The size Of the huts varies from % to 40 by so to
100 feet. The cost is approximately from $1,000 to
$4,000.
Mr.. Perkins says 10 has been suggested to him that
there may be many who would like to hear of this
in helping it II has also been suggested that it might
be possible to raise fund to build and endow hut
TO be known as the "U S. Hut" This would be a
very graceful act the part Of Americans and he
feels it would be much appreciated by the people
! on the other side
The on in Europe is the biggest one in the
history the world The magnitude Of the relief
required is in keeping with that Of the struggle II
years to il should be Of the cherished tradi
tions OF the Wilmington Young Mems Christian Asso
citation that II pulled its pound with the other asso
Citations in doing relief work in this unprecedente
struggle that is convulsing the world