Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-14
TOURISTS FAIL TO SEE
Y. M. C. A. ABROAD
Work Done in Buildings Like
Barracks. Often Overlooked
Because Of Similarity.

The Y. NJ c. A. War Work in the
American camps overseas is not ON the
men in the military camps. The build
lngS which the 'tY" has constructed in
these camps are just about like the bar
racks themselves and they have none Of
the earmaFks of stone-front city Y. NJ.
Z. A, structure. For these reasons the
people who tour France seldom see
the War Work OF the association in act
ion. And this has led to some belief in
some sources that the 'fY'' was not do
ing very much on the, other side of the
water. Such reports however are mis-
leading.
Evidence to this effect is found in a re-
cent letter sent to friends in America by
Robert Freeman, a Presbyterian pastor
u pasadena, California, who is now in
This letter was sent from Paris, where
Freeman is now located and is dated
September 18th. It says:
Men Wen, Of every sort of life and calling
are flllng in wherever need is and none of
us are doing the thing for which we are
specifically trained. Meanwhile / am
tn moro itl satisfied that my part OF the
am happy for having made it, conf
dent that | shall be always happy that /
did make it. The need here IS tremen-
douS, the opportunity immeasurable
Occasional commissions go through
france on one quest or another and may
return to America to condemn the y.
n. =. a. but the fact is they have not
TO be guided frequently by those who
are not in sympathy with the associa
ton and they return to tell that we are
dong nothing. A know of several cases
where influential people went through
our territory, | mean my division. and
came out saving we had two huts and one
or Two secretaries, while, as a matter of
fact we have about thirty men five
women, twelve huts and some other
working stations. Now those people are
gong back to speak and write in AM
erican magazines and churches and they
are incapable of telling the truth. Our
DuHdlngs cannot be found unless they are
looked for because they are just like the
regular barracks, distinguished only by
the Y. NJ G. A. sign or by the groups
OF soldiers gathered about if it happens
TO be the time of day when they are free
OF course we are not doing ali that needs
20 b dine, but we are dong a whole lot
and shah do more Just as fast as we
can get the men. Italy has just invited
us to come in there and Mott has return
edsfrom Russia asking for thousand sec
retarles for that country Surely the
harvest is great but the laborers few.
After glimpse at how things are be-
ing done in this exemplary British base /
am to undertake the direction of the
First Expedtionary Division, | feel quite
akin TO solomon, at least akin to him in
his sense of need, his prayer is my pray
er, and | hope for wisdom for my big
new job.
1t is to maintain men, buildings and
equipment of this kind in the field in
France for the use of the American over
work in the camps at home that the Y
M e.. A. is undertaking a campaign
throughout the nation during the week of
November 18th TO 18th for $35, 900 900 for
It's war work. This sum viii be needed
10 support this cause until uly list, 1918.