The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-04-30
WAR WORK OF Y. Nj. c.. A.

Out where the boys are fighting,
close to a hundred battle fronts, the
Y. M. C. A. has been doing work
,, so notable in the world, war that
Lord James Bryce, former British
ambassador to America, recently said
of it:
"It has been and is today one OF
the most active and pervasive
agencies to help young men form
high ideals, as we'll as for directing
them into the paths in which they
can best serve their fellows in a
true Christian spirit"
The opening of Y. M. G. A.
"hut" in a German prison camp
made such an impression on Am
bassador Gerard. who participated i'll
the ceremonies, that he cabled to
the secretary of state: Work Of in
estimable value. l hope the Ameri-
can association will extend the work
to the prison camps thruout the
world"
The records of the war disclose
that no front has been too remote
but that some means of conveying
equipment for association work
would be found. No route has been
too rough and no danger too great.
Where the Red Cross ministers to
the men who are wounded, the Y.
M. C. A. provides them facilities for
recreation, creates about them the
wholesome atmosphere so badly
needed to offset the sordid things
of camp life and keeps near them
ever the reminder of home and loved
ones
Even the reader may have receiv-
ed letter from some boy in uni
form writing from somewhere
along the front. 1t is an even chance
that the letter was written on
stationery provided by some portable
Y. M. G. A. 49,.
A Scottish minister visited the
front and came back so enthusiastic
about it, that he hold his congrega-
ton there were literally tons OF writ
ing paper and many writing tables.
There were tables spread with re-
freshments and a platform with a
piano on it. Nearby was little
chapel where the men, in all the
realization of their responsibilities
and dangers, could, and did, retire
for prayer.
Not content with getting associa-
lions "huts' to all the prison camps
of more than 10000 and to the men
back of the barbwire ENGAGEMENTS,
the Y. M. C. A undertook in Canada
work which received the highest
approval of military officers.
fx, M q n
city saw a number of recruits turned
down for lack Of chest expansion and
power endurance. 1t was his oppor-
tunity. He took them in hand. Soon
dozens were reporting again for ex-
animation with the required chest
expansion and power to endure. In
all the Canadian associations, before
their departure for active service,
soldiers had right of way at writing
tables, swimming pools, shower
baths, in the gymnasium and audi
forums.
When Unlce Sans national
guardsmen were sent down to the
Mexican border. association secre-
taries with equipment were on the
ground almost as soon as they, great
" to the discontinue to the organ
ICED forces of vice that had also
sought the camps eager to exploit
the soldiers for their own pernicious
purposes, regardless of the harm to
them. ...--
With the first discussion of the
entrance of the United States into
the world war, Franklin D. Roosevelt
assistant secretary of the navy, sent
out a call for special service to all
~ M. C. AS, saying that every new
enlistment meant a new problem in
character building and concluding,
"The navy owes much to the Young
Mems Christian association for what