Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-10-07

Conditions in England and France
are wildly described in letter
from Rev. John Calvert, sent to
his wife but addressed to Mr.. Cal
vert's various interested Omaha and
Nebraska friends" Rev. Calvert was
formerly pastor of the Benson
Methodist church, leaving to take
up the work of secretary with the
Young Mems Christian association.
In spite of his absence for the period
of a year, the bishop at the late
Methodist conference reappointed
him to his position in the Benson
church. Mr.. Calvert says:
Since | left Omaha for France,
events have developed so rapidly
that l have found myself in a veri-
table kaleidoscope of experiences.
Ecfore leaving America it was nee
essary to go through manifold red
tape. The more thoroughly | have
understood it, however, the more
! have appreciated its Importance.
The particular information needed
by Young Mems Christian associa-
ton secretaries before going into
he overseas work is we'll arranged
for in New York. | cannot elabor-
ate on this matter, but will simply
SAY that the very best wisdom Oh
tainable is organized to give the
Y men all necessary information and
counsel. 1t is certain that, before
leaving America, we realized the
enormity of the enterprise on which
we had entered.
The contact with the men who
are accepted as overseas workers
with the Association at once re-
veals the great scope of the bust
ness involved. Thousands of men
are taken from the business and
professional life of America and put
into this new relation. Just to OBJ
serve these men in their energetic
preparation to leave home relations
for foreign service is matter of
extreme interest and to be one of
them is a matter of consuming con-
Germ.
Soon Learn Feelings of Soldier.
1--WE get to understand somewhat
of the feelings of the soldier, for
to all intents and purposes we are
soldiers. We learn to obey as SOL
diers do, we learn to be patient as
soldiers must, we learn to cooper
ate, even as soldiers must learn. We
also learn there is little or no favor
i,ism, whether man has been a
bishop. president of a bank, promi-
nent physician. dentist or lawyer, or
any like individual does not count |
He is now just an individual, and |
given treatment as such without re-
gard to title or special influence.
All go through the mill and the
mill grinds very slowly. To get |
through the mill and pass out on a
transport is an achievement more
difficult than climbing the Alps"
THE various committees, docu- !
ments and officials constituting the
grinding wheels having accom- !
plished their task, we are launched
out into the deep to take chances
with the storms of nature on the
rolling seas and the fierce efforts
of German submarines to prevent
us from reaching the backgrounds
of Europe. Personally, l was very |
much relieved when the sea voyage
was over.
Allied Navy Equal to Task. |
1--WE crossed the ocean without
nishap. Many precautions were
used, and we appreciate greatly |
the faithful and efficient work, of
the sailors and seamen on trans
ports, cruisers and torpedo boats.
besides the clever and daring work
of the men in the air service. I can
not tell in detail how we were cared
for, how many or how few of us
were together, but may say with
strong optimism that allied navies
are fully able to meet any situation
our clever, unrelenting and cruel foe
may produce.
Personally I enjoyed the sea
voyage very much. The congenial
companionships, the chance for ex-