New-York tribune., 1916-04-23

and drummers, supplanting the pipers, play
Comm Through the Rye" Every route
march is a success, the soldiers return in
better spirits than when they left, they are
exhilarstcd by the tramp and vigorously
attack the warm meal set before them.
The social life Of the soldier in Canada
particularly in London. is quite worth con-
sidering. Entertainers from the church
choirs and social clubs Of the city see to it
that the man in khaki is not hungry for
music or other amusement. The churches,
too. and local organizations are generous
with their suppers and banquets.
During these months of training Canada
instructs her soldiers in every possible
phase Of the war game. Aside from the
ordinary drills. the training embraces rife
practice, trench digging, semaphore and
Morse code signalling by flags, and even
hand grenade and trench bomb throwing
practice. The work is interesting and
novel, and on this account good results are
obtained.
Newspaper followers of the war well
know the worth Of the Canadian trained
soldier on the battlefield. One has but to
remember the excellent work particularly
of the "Princess Pat regiment. which was
Dominion product. to realize the efficiency
Of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
The Y. NJ. c. A. has been called the
Mother of Comforts" for the British
troops during the war. The soldiers have
come to regard the "Y" as an indispensable
adjunct TO camp life. When the First Ca
madam Expeditionary Force was mobilized
at Valcartier, in the province Of Quebec,
the Y. NJ. C. A. was on the ground before
the first troops arrived. This was by no
means the first time the association had
accepted the challenge to meet the needs
Of soldiers in active service. In recent
wars the Y. NJ. C. A. has played promi-
nent part. It did so in the war between
Russia and Japan, in the South African
War. and for the last forty-five years 1t
has been carrying on its work in the sum"
mer camps in Canada.
But the great World War brought TO
the brotherhood one Of the greatest oppor-
tunities it has ever faced. No body OF
men can be their best and do their best
who have not some sane, cheerful ana
healthy occupation for their leisure time'
The Canadian Minister Of Militia, reaiiz-
;ng this. asked the Y. NJ. c. A. to assume
practically the sole responsibility Tor the
recreational. social and religious activities
Of all the soldiers camps throughout Can
ada. To meet the call the National Coun-
ell Of the Y. M. C. A. Of Canada has or
oan;zed for the duration Of the war mill
tary branch with a military secretary IN
each camp and with military secretaries
attached to each brigade to accompany the
mon TO the trenches. Each OF these men
carries the honorary rank of captain IN
the Canadian Expeditionary Forces.
In the camps at Toronto, London, Winni-
neg and other centres buildings have been
nrovided by the military authorities, or
where this was impossible, buildings being
needed for the housing of the troops, sepa-
rate buildings have been erected for the
Y. NJ. c. A. either by public subscription
or az in the case of London, Ontario, by
the city itself
Day and night these buildings are open
n the men: canteens, moving picture en-
tertainments, reading and writing rooms,
nostofice accommodation, shopping and
messenger service, personal interviews and
religious services all absolutely free and
ontional. The secretaries visit the men
who are confined to hospital, distribute
magazines, writing paper, envelopes, post
cards and then gather up the letters and
nost them for the soldiers. In fact, the
secretary frequently finds himself the
bearer of messages and tokens which
uould not be intrusted to the mail.
Training for overseas service at
Queens Park, London, Ontario, is
most unusual unit Of the big voluntees
army now being raised by Canada Tor
the support of the mother country IN
the big war. 1t is "London's Own"
Battalion. the 142d, one of the very
few units being recruited which will go TO
the front as distinctly representative OF a
particular municipality.
"London's Own Battalion is still In the
process of formation. During the winter
months recruiting was somewhat SLOW
but with the advent Of spring and baimy
weather has come a new lease Of life, and
strenuous efforts put forth by the oifcers
.-.-s-:., oropoisinp results.