The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1917-11-15
BY JOHN R. MOTT

by JOttN II. MUTT
General Sec'y. National War Work
Council of the Y. NJ C. A.
The National War Work Council
of the Young Mems Christian Asso-
Citations at the recent meeting in the
Bankers Club in New York, a meet
ing attended by remarkable body
of foremost laymen anu citizens from
all parts of America, unanimously
recommended the raising of fund
of 100000 to serve the men of
the armies and navies of the United
States and certain of her allies, such
as Russia. France and Italy, as we'll
as the prisoners of war throughout
the war zones, for the period ending
June 30th, 1918. The spirit of high
es patriotism, the dictates Of sound
est military strategy and business
judgment, and the principles and
spirit Of Christ Himself combined
to influence this significant action.
The reasons which led these men of
large vision and Of proved wisdom
and capacity to decide that this sum
be secured are for reasons which
should prompt everyone who reads
these lines to do all in his power to
insure the success Of the undertaking
by sacrificial gift, by constant advo-
cacy, and by earnest work to enlist
the cooperation of others.
Thirty-five million is needed be-
cause Of the vast number of men to
be served. Before next July the
American Army and Navy will in all
probability include 100000 men.
The National War Work Council
is also called upon to extend Its work
throughout the Russian army Of over
100000 men. the French army Of
about 100000 men, the Italian ar
my of some 100000 and the small
er armies of Belgium, Mesopotamia,
India, East Africa, Egypt and Rou-
mania, numbering possibly 1900, 900
more. Moreover, the 100000 pris-
oners of war imperatively require the
continued practical ministry Of Amer
lea through the Association.
Here, then, are a total Of 24,000,-
900 men, whose physical, intellectual
social and spiritual betterment we
wish to promote. When we remem-
ber that in no previous war have
more than 100000 men opposed
each other and that here are twelve
times that number to whom we have
a mission, the colossal magnitude Of
the undertaking is apparent.
We believe in securing the $685.
900, 900 because there could be no
more economical or important use Of
funds. 1t means an expenditure Of
$3.50 per man. This statement Is In
a sense misleading, because 1t is pro-
posed to spend the disproportionate
sum of nearly $40 on each American
enlisted man. Ten dollars, however,
is a very small amount to devote to
the welfare OF an American soldier or
sailor, especially when we consider
the range Of the needs which are to
be met, the variety of the means to
be employd, and above all, when we
reflect on the dangers and possibil-
tiles Of the lives of these men, the
character of the service they are rem
dering, the supreme sacrifice every
man of them stands ready to make.
The burning question, which each
of us byour attitude toward this fund
must help answer, is, shall the flower
of our American manhood, who 60
out to represent us, come back to us
ESQ far as their lives are to be
spared) with bodies shot through,
with unnamable disease, and with
character weakened or blasted, or
shall they return stronger and better
men? What more important asset
have we to conserve?
~ luili Jul OUH6dtiOu W Jul di-
lies we should raise this fund Of $685.
900, 900. AS the past three years
have unfolded, 1t has become increas-
inly clear to the American people and
their leaders that in very true sense
the allies have been fighting, not only
for themselves but for us also.
In entering the war we have made
their cause our cause; their defeat
would be our defeat. Anything which
strengthens their hands will hasten
the victorious ending of the struggle,
The military and civil leaders of
certain of our allies have made 1t
clear that there is no one way in
which America can help their cause
more than by placing at the disposal
Of their entire armies the practical
and constructive agencies of the
Young Mems Christian Association.