Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-10-09
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II Y.M.C.A. IN EUROPE. !.
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| Y.M.C.A, IN EUKOPE. s{s
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Paris, Oct. 3.-The French people
are being shown Americas ideals,
past attachments and definite prom
ises for the successful prosecution Of
the war in convincing manner
through pamphlets prepared by the
YIN CA educational bureau.
"The Y.M.C.A.," says E. A. Batche-
lor, well known magazine writer,
became convinced some time ago
that a general distribution Of con-
crete information regarding things
and aims American would be greatly
appreciated, not only by the French
people, but also would do much to
promote confidence and understand
ing between the two nations.
Through the cooperation Of the
Department Of Public Instruction of
France, it has been possible to dis
tribute 10000 of these pamphlets in
the schools. A large percentage Of
been taken directly to the homes, and
a tremendous infiuen"e for good thus
IS being eNerted.
Among Austrian Prisoners.
1t was Il revelation to Austrian
prisoners captured by the Italians on
the Piave front to see American SOL
diers and Y.M.C.A. workers. They
had been told the U-boats would
keep the American forces away, and
the fact that already hundreds of
thousands Of Yankees are fighting in
Europe opened their eyes.
These prisoners are desperately
anxious for peace and are rapidly get
ting to think that even defeat would
be preferable to existing conditions.
Apparently the hatred Of Germany is
growing more intense every day, and
it is only a question of time before
Austria will seize an opportunity to
desert her ally.
The treatment accorded these
prisoners by the Y.M.C.A. workers
was an eye-opener to the Austrians
They had been told the Yankees
either killed their prisoners or
abused them so that death would be
preferable. They hardly believed a
man in the American uniform could
hand out food and tobacco.
Good Results in Italy.
splendid results among Italian SOL
diers, whose physical welfare and
comfort are being enhanced constant
ly. Not long ago refreshments were
served to 5000 troops in seven hours
at one of the kitchens. The men ar
rived, tired and dusty, with their heads
down, and left for the front singing
and laughing.
In Genoa, Florence, Rome and Ven-
ice the Red Triangle has been dis
played and fine work is being done
for men on leave and among the
wounded. At Genoa the association
comes into intimate contact with
American sailors forming the gun
crews of merchant ships. These sal
lors find the home atmosphere Of the
''hut' very pleasant after their long
and monotonous voyages and are as
happy as school-boys Wien they see
tho well-known sign
The Italian army Is so appreciative
Of the work Of the association that
1t has given carte blanche and is ac-
corded every facility for carrying out
the program. Labor and material are
furnished whenever possible and
travel on all railroads Is to be had
without much of the red tape that
usually surrounds Journeys in war
times.
The physical feature Of the work
makes particular hit among the
soldiers. They take to American
sports in great style and are deriv-
ing great benefit from the various
games.