New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-11

war were the Red cross ana the w.
Triangle. This is literal fact: with
out these two agencies the war would
be a thousandfold more hellish than II
actually is. In fact, IL could scarcely
be fought at all, for without the al
leviations afforded by these two inst-
tutions it is doubtful if the morale, tne
courage. and the stoutheartedness so
necessary TO it's prosecution could be at
ali maintained.
There is a sense in which the I. NJ.
{. A. may be regarded as even more IN
portant than the Red Cross. Perhaps
the latter makes a stronger appeal be-
cause of it's merciful ministrations to
the suffering, but the former supplies
the social and spiritual needs of those
who must still bear the brunr of battle;
and without the satisfaction OF those
social desires the soldiers could not be
kept in any desirable condition 70 bear
IL. Ii is, therefore, no disparagement
of any agency that works among the
armies in the field to dec ere that the
Young Mems Christian Association
stands we'll at the mead of the list OF
causes to which the nations owe their
support.
Dominates Every War Field
Those who know the !. VI. c. A. only
in connection with the work il has been
doing in American cities can have no
adequate conception OF the magnitude
of its operations in connection with the
war. Its energies have been so multi
piled and its expansion has been 50
great that to-day its regular work has
paled into insignificance in comparison
with its activity in the armies of the
various nations. In every section OF
Europe it is to-day dominating the field
IN both religion and social service This
fact is recognized by the governments
and the heads of the armies, and 1t Is
conceded By all of the agencies that en-
deavor to perform a similar service for
humanity.
Wherever a soldier goes he is &C
companied by the Young Mems Chris
tan Associations; whether il is in
France, Flanders, Italy or England;
whether he is in the trenches, on mis-
furough, or at the training camp;
whether he is wounded. prisoner Of
war or on active service; in whatever
condition, or in whatever place. he is
constantly in touch with the Y. NJ.
c. A., and from this institution he re-
ceives his refreshment. his entertain
ment. his religious inspiration. and his
comfort. IL is claimed that there arc
1000 centres OF the Y. VI. c. A. daily
operating in connectiuon with the
armies of the British Empire alone. and
these centres employ the services Of a
veritable army of secretaries. clerks
and workers, together with a volunteer
force of more than 10000 women. These
facts give US an insight into the mag
ntude of the work being carried on by
this social and religious agency.
London Dotted With Huts
In cities like London the work of the
y. ". c. A. is most important In Lon
don-and this city differs from the
others in Europe only in the matter of
the number of centres required 20 meet
the situation-there are about forty
Y. VI. c. A. centres of varying sizes.
Among them is Ciro's, one Of the best
known clubs of the city, which is now
centre Of the Y. VI. {. A.. and is fire.
the British army. 1t boasts m Amcri-
can soda fountain, it has levied on the
best musical and theatrical talent of
London fer its daily concerts. Near
this, on the Strand, is located the new
hut for the American army. and across
the street from this there is smaller
and writing hut. the City
of London is dotted everywhere with
such places, so that soldier in search
Of refreshment or pleasure is always
within easy walking distance of Y. VI.
c. A. centre, where he is sure TO find
friends and a welcome.
Let US picture the daily routine OF
one OF these huts and give general
view of its character; thus we can un-
derstand what goes on in all of them.
II is a large. low building. lightly but
strongly built in an attractive mission
style. 1t covers almost an entire
square of ground. and its environment:
IS as tasty as may be possible in the
situation. IL has lounge and writing
room large enough 10 accommodate 200
soldiers. a dining room. a music room
and auditorium, and a dormitory, each
large enough to care for 200 men. In
addition to these large rooms there are
naturally a great number of Offices,
kitchens. and other rooms necessary
for the prosecution Of the work.
Saves Soldiers From Streets
Here meals are served at prices rot
exceeding Is. Cd, and beds are provided
for an approximate fee of Cd. Writ
ing materials, entertainments and gem
eral accommodation are all provided
free to the men of his majesty's forces.
Girls or secretaries from this hut meet
all the trains at the station near By
and assist the men in securing their
quarters and making their plans; al,
of these officials wear the uniform OF
the army with the red triangle on the
sleeve. These huts, being thus located,
are daily saving thousands Of men
from falling into the hands of the har-
pies Of the streets and the various evil
influences that wait for them in the
cities, and they have been the saliva
tion OF a great multitude, espec ally
among the ColOnials. who como to Lon
don as strangers. There is enough d.
version provided at each hut in the
way OF theatricals and musicales 20
satisfy the needs Of the average sol
der.
At midnight a feet Of automobiles
goes out from the hut. These machines
are manned exclusively by young wo-
men, and they scour the city. forcing
their way into the slums and all sec
tons in search of soldiers who have
become drunk or fallen into evil ways
When such are found they are taken
in the machine to The nuts and given
lodging for the night, and in the morn
ing they are assisted in finding their
proper headquarters.
To carry on the activities of this
nut the services of approximately one
hundred girls and several male secre-
taries are required. The girls are the