The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-23
Former State Journal Reporter
Once Sneered at 1t.
U. S. ASSOCIATION THE BEST
He Says 1t Gives More Aid
Than the Canadian.
Bows i'm France Served Right
Up to Firing Line.

The first and best friend a soldier in
Camp or on pass has in Canada or
England is the Y. NJ. c. A, according
to Lance Corp V. E. Bundy, formerly
State Journal reporter, and now sta
toned with a Canadian contingent at
Shorncliffe, England.
81 can whole heartedly give my
opinion of the Y. NJ. C. A." writes
Topeka II can also make an apology
because L was prone to sheer at the
" while civilian
THE first place a soldier looks for
when in a strange place is the Y. M.
C. A, where he can get bed, bath,
a meal, information, spiritual or tenn
poral counsel. a shave and something
to read. We have learned to place a
mighty lot of confidence and depend
ence in the organization, and it isn't
misplaced. There is nothing of the
hypocritical or the milksop about the
Y. M. C. A. Its help is practical and.
on the whole, appreciated I cannot
say too much to the credit of the as
ISOLATION as it is carried on in connec-
ton with the Canadian army, and
from all 1 have seen the organization
must be far-reaching and efficient to
the last degree.
American "Y'' Superior.
night at an American ~ in the
Strand and found it superior to the
British article, so I think the states
can make no mistake in supporting
the Y. NJ. c. A. war fund to the limit
From conversations 1 have had
with men just back from the trenches,
the organization seems to be as much
of a help there as it is in England,
right up to the exposed positions. 1
think it will be tremendous force
during the war and reconstruction
afterward.
Much has been written about the
temptations and dangers which meet
soldiers on leave. Fresh from a leave
which has proved a disaster to many
of the overseas forces, 1 think there is
no force like the ~ which affords a
soldier every opportunity for a thoroly,
intelligently, clean, good time on leave
nothing which will come so near
taking good care of him and keeping
him straight, yet happy.
Always ''Y'' Booster.
believe me, when I get a chance
either during or after my service to
boost for the Y. M. c. A. I will do it
with a grateful heart.
Have 1 told you about visiting
Saltwood castle where Beckett's muir
der was planned? It's only a nice
afternoon walk over there, and the
castle itself, -moat. tower and en-
brasures, is nearer by story book
idea of castle than anything have
seen yet Wish 1 had remembered
more of the story of Beckett.
ALSO, there's an old church at
Hythe, three fourths of mile from
the castle, which is very interesting.
Its chief attraction is it's crypt with
the bones of 1000 people therein.
Don't exactly see where the attraction
comes in but they think enough of the
aforesaid relics TO collect MANY st1rnn-
pences for admission.
You mentioned air raids. Yes,
sabe them now pretty thoroly. The
one you read of was quite interesting.
No i'll effects near here yet except to
the Fritzie planes. It's a regular
Fourth of July when the Archibalds
(anti-air craft guns) get started. They
have been uncommon lately on ac-
count of the weather and the alarms
sans results are a borex