The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-07-31
ROTAR|lNsARE
TOLD Of LOCAL
Y.M.C.A. DRIVE
Luncheon Yesterday Featured
by Able Explanation by
William Fisher.
COOPERATION OF
ROTES is ASKED
Sufferings in Prison Camps by
Men Are VividIy
Described.

me 4. NJ. c. A. was the chief topic
of yesterdays Rotary luncheon
William Fisher outlined plans for
the membership campaign to be held
next week and asked the full co-opera-
tion OF the Rotarians. Mr.. Fisher ex-
planned the advantages of ''Y'' mem
bership and stated that large numbers
of new men have come to Pensacola
during the past year who should be
interested in the work of the associa-
ton. He believes there Is much good
Y. NJ C. A. material among the new
comers and that both they and the as
sociation will benefit through their
membership. Mr.. Fisher stated that
there are also a number of men and
boys who have long been residents
of the city who should be members
of the ''Y'
The wide scope OF association work
was told by F. G. Wilson. Of the in
dustrial department of the international
committee. Mr. Wilson described Wv
idly the sufYerings OF men in German
tprison camps and of the relief given
them through the Y NJ. C. A. He was
actively engaged in Y. NJ. C. \. relief
work in Germany until this country
entered the war, when he pas placed
Lin charge of the association Office in
Copenhagen. He described the two and
Ia half sor three million prisoners OF
WAR held by Germany as mass OF
suffering humanity, suffering from
wounds hunger and disease. Even
though Germany wished to- he said.
~it would be impossible for that coun-
try to properly care for its prisoners,
because il lacks the means to do So
Thousands die of disease in the Ger
man prison camps. he said. and thous-
ands die of hunger. tuberculosis, dys-
entery and smallpox carry off the men
in large numbers. and many die as a
result of malnutrition.
In talking with a group of Russian
prisoners, he said that they constantly
cried Give us bread, we must have
bread"
Mr. Wilson stated that American,
British and French prisoners are given
relief through the Red Cross and other
agencies. but the lot of the captive
Russians and .Siberians is pitiful. He
recited an authentical report of the
food served to the prisoners wherein
the meat which came to the camp was
served to the officers in charge of the
guards The bones were thrown to the
dogs which assisted in guarding the
prisoners. and after the dogs had nm
ished with them the bones We're gath
cred and made into soup for the unfor-
tunate captives.
Mr.. Wilson stated that many pris-
oners had become insane as a result
of their sufferings while cut off from
their friends and insufficiently cared
for and fed. He explained the relief
work which the Y. M. C. A. is doing
and read several letters of apprecia-
tion which he had received from Amer
lean prisoners who were among the
first to be confined in German camps.
In addition to the relief work
abroad, he said, the association has
an important work at home, through
its local organizations, and he urged
the Rotarians to assist in the utmost
in the membership campaign OF the
Pensacola Y. NJ. c. A.
Mr.. Wilson is visiting the important
shipbuilding and war industry plants
of the country for the purpose Of ex-
tending Y. NJ. c. A. work.
]. H. Sheriff. told the Rotarlans that
no other organization has had so inn
portant part as the Y. NJ. G. A. in de-
veloping the physical, mental and
moral welfare of the men and boys
of Pensacola and that the influence
of the association would be increased |
in proportion with the success Of the |
forthcoming membership campaign. +!
The RotariarS unanimously endorsed
the membership campaign and Presf- |
dent w II. Watson appointed Sol Calm |
w. B. Logan. j. B. McNeill and Chas
Fl. Turner a committee to cooperate
with the Y NJ C. 4 committee
Tentative plans for the campaign |
have been formed and will be definitely |
determined today. IT is proposed to
form several teams which will enroll I,
new members next week.