Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-21
az ~. pR. ELMER r cLARK.


were the Red Cross and the Red Triangle.
This is a literal fact; without these two
agencies the war would be thousandfold
more hellish than 1t actually IS. In TACT,
il could scarcely be fought at ALL for
without the alleviations afforded by these
two institutions it is doubtful If the
morale the courage and the stouthearted-
ness so necessary to it's prosecution could
be at all maintained.
There is a sense in which the Y. M. G.
A. may be regarded even more inn
portant than the Red Cross. Perhaps the
latter makes stronger appeal because of
its mercful ministrations TO the suffering,
but the former supplies the social and
spiritual needs of those who must still
bear the brunt of battle; and without the
satisfaction of those social desires the
soldiers could not be kept in any desirable
condition to bear IT, 1t Isl. therefore, no
disparagement of any agency that works
among the armies in the field to declare
that the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton stands well at the head of the list of
causes to which the nations owe their
support.
Wherever a soldier goes he is accom-
panied by the Young Mems Christian AS
sociation; whether it is in France, Fland-
ers, Italy or England; whether he is in
the trenches, on his fuflough, or at the
training camp; whether he is wounded,
a prisoner Of war or on active service; in
whatever condition, or in whatever place,
he is constantly in touch with the Y. M
g. A., and from this institution he receives
his refreshment, his entertainment his
is claimed chat there are 1000 centers of
the Y M g. A. daily operating in, GoRnec-
ton with the armies of the British En-
pre- alone, and these centefS employ the
services of a veritable army of secretaries,
clerks and workers, together with vol
unteer force Of more than 10000 women.
These facts give as an insight into the
magnitude Of the work being carried on
by this social and religious agency.
London Dotted With Huts.
In cities like London the work Of the X.
A 10 inn fan N hpd nm
and this city differs from the others in
Europe only in the matter of the number
of centers required to meet the situation
there are about forty Y. M. G.. A. GEN.
tiers Of varying sizes. Among them is
Giro's, one of the best known clubs of the
city, which is now center of the y. M.
G.. A., and is frequented principally by the
officers of the British army. 1t boasts
an American soda fountain, it has levied
on the best musical and theatrical talent
of London for 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 a smaller information
and writing hut The city of London is
dotted everywhere with such places, SO
that a soldier in search ofs refreshment or
pleasure is always within easy walking
distance of q y. M C. Al. center. where he
is sure to find friends and welcome
Let MS picture the daily routine of one
of these huts and give general view of
its character; thus we can understand
what goes on in all Of them. II is a large,
an attractive mission style 1t covers
almost an entire square Of ground, and its
environment is as tasty as may be pos
Sible in the situation. 1t has a lounge
and writing room large enough to ac-
commodate zoo soldiers, q dining room, a
music room and auditorium, and dormi-
tory, each large enough to care for 200
men In addition to these large rooms
there are naturally a great number of Of
fees, kitchens, and other rooms neees-
sary for the prosecution of the work
Saves Soldiers From Streets.
Here meals are served at prices not eX-
ceeding is. Cd, and beds are provided
for an approximate fee of Cd. Writing
materials, entertainments and general ac-
commodations 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; all of these officials
wear the uniform of the army with the
red triangle on the sleeve These huts,
being thus located. are daily saving thou
sands Of men from falling into the hands
of the harpies of the streets and the va
rious evil influences that wait for them
in the cities, and they have been the sal
walton of a great multitude, especially
among the Colonials. who come to London
as strangers. There is enough diversion
provided at each hut in the way of thea
trivals and musicales to satisfy the needs
of the average soldier.
At midnight a fleet of automobiles goes
out from the hut. These machines are
they scour the city, forcing their way into
the slums and all sections 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 huts and
given lodging for the night and in the
morning they are assisted in finding their
proper headquarters.
no carry on the activities of this hut
the services of a approximately one hun
dred girls and several male secretaries are
required. The girls are the clerks, cash
iers, matrons, Mattresses, cooks. chamber
maids and the like, and practically all of
them give their services without remuner-
alton. And they are usually the highest
type of young womanhood. IT is nothing
unusual to see a noble carriage. bearing
a crest upon the door. with Inverted foot
man and driver. bring mother and her
daughters to the hut, and these women
from the aristocracy leave their carriage
and -enter the hut to don the white cap
and apron OF the waitress and to devote
the day in the service of the private sol
diers.
Follow into Trenches.
The work of the 7. M. c. A. in the
training camps is of a similar nature
The huts and secretaries are here also
and they provide for the social and religi-
nlYS life Of the tr0oOS in the same manner