El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-04-24
!. NJ. c. 4. CANTEEN HOTELS IN
FRANCE JOY SPOTS FOR SOLDIERS
Ella Wheeler wilcox Tells Of Great Work Accomplished
by American ''Y'' in Furnishing Soldiers Back From
Trenches Diversion and Pleasure; Goes Through
Two Air Raids and Enjoys the Thrills
By ELLA WHEELER WILCOX.

EELER WILCOX.
, atmosphere created. which acts as
moral uplift on the men
Besides the good done to the SOL
diers by this y n Q. a. there is
reciprocal good done 10 the Y. II C.
big issues of life A few years ago
the very term He is q Y. H. c. A.
man" implied 10 the minimizing an
auaemlc type Of man, forever worry
ing about the salvation Of those who
differed from him in dogmas. and who
was continually shocked by the Ievity
and liberality Of his friends and asso-
ciates.
Is Problem for PrOseIyters.
The man who comes into the can
teens with the idea Of PROSECUTING and
saving" the souls Of the soldiers very
soon finds himself in touch with such
colossal problems of life, with such a
variety Of types Of men in such IN
equal stages Of development that he
is forced to study human nature from
a new viewpoint
one of the proselyting type IRE
Gently arrived from a small town in
AmerlCa) sat beside stalWart Cana
dian soldier, just back from the front.
They were watching a motion picture
play. The soldier was filled with the
icy Of being in a scene Of such peace
ful pleasure. and he could not restrain
=
IN front Of him. even though he had
not been presented to her.
The other man was shocked.
touched the soldier on the shoulder
and said Remember, young man, you
have other battles 10 fight"
Reply Is Rebuke.
Yes" responded the Canadian SOL
der, but I am trying 20 forget for a
few minutes the last battle was in d"
This story was related to me by a
Y II C. a. man, who proceeded 10 say
that the association was occupied in
humanitarian and humane enterprises
20 give the men good care TO build Up
tertaia them WhOlesOmely during the
trying weeks and months Of their
preparation for war. and to substitute
gradually and tactfuly, right ideals of
life for wrong ones. while leaving each
man MS own faith such Is the big
and worthy work OF the Y n c. a. I
today II Is doing a magnificent thing
for the race, as well as for the sol {
diers- And il is laying the foundation I
OF newer and broader Christianity I
which viii substitute humantarianism /
Of d0gmatism-
It was deeply interesting to find
many OF these y. II. c. A. men wide {
awake on the subject Of physical re- Z
search. a subject which appeals 70 I
suffering Humanity over here The I
constnatly increasing proofs which I
these researches are giving to sOr-
row stricken people Of the existence of 3
their dear dead on planes very near Z
to those they love, and Of their desire I
TO communicate with them. and their I
unceasing efforts TO comfort and help /
them. are lar more satisfying in this {
crucial hour than theories which give .
no comfort to q heart Wrung with the .
anguish Of sudden loss.
Sees Two Exciting Air Raids.
There have been two exciting air I
raids here. and the philosophical at
tItude Of mind in which these events /
are met by both the French and
american population is wonderful
Imagine a thunderstorm in mid
summer. increased teufOld and last
ing three or four hours, and you have
some idea OF the sound OF an air raid /
The fact that much Of the thunder is
caused by the French defence guns
does not greatly mitigate TIE feel
ing OF awe, bordering on fear which
dominates while the raid lasts
Confident Of the protection Of in
visible helpers. and regarding death
Is the birth OF life. I remained in my
room the three hours Of the first raid
since my arrival and wrote letters.
During the second, ten women. mostly
American, gathered in the rooms of
the charming wife Of a United States
navy paymaster and told incidents
and stories OF a character which gave
a spiritual uplitt, while we listened
70 the bombing of 60 airplanes Of the
enemy Of the world and to our de-
fence guns from $40 to midnight
As we dispersed, one woman re-
marked that the evening had left her
with a feeling that death was indeed !
Q glorious adventure TO be anticipated
rather than feared.
Heroic Chambermafd Tells Of Sacrifice.
Across the street from where I am
sitting q French builder is Whistling
at his work. and in the adjoining room
girl is singing. Ny cham bermaid
tells me with q smile that her son and
husband gave their lives for their
country and no matter what happens.
or what shadows fall there is never
a doubt in the French or American
heart that the enemy VIII be laid low
and The allies viii win.
The churches OF France are filled as
never before, and in front Of every
statue and picture Of Joan OF Arc al
ways one sees reverent groups
Obscured the sun. the world is dark.
Maid Of Orleans. Joan of Arc.
Speak through the dark
Let every heart in France be stirred
By such an all-cOmpeling word
As thou once heard
say to each soul. -'Loi am near;
Ny voice still speaks in accents clear.
Be still and hear
The France / saved cannot be lost:
Though tempest-LOrn and terror
tossed
Count not the cost
Give as the maid OF Dormerv
Gave all-gave life itself TO see
Her country free
Back of great France my spirit
towers.
To aid her through the darkest hours
with Gods own powers
Maid Of Orleans. Joan Of Arc,
Shine through the night, speak
through the dark
The while we hark
Copyright, 1918. star COD
Women are entering the glass blow
ing Industry IN some parts OF the