New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-12-27
GREEKS ANXIOUS TO
GET Y. NJ. WORKERS
Premier Agrees to Furnish All
Necessary Buildings in Athens

Paris. December 27.-Premier Ven-
fzeios of Greece, the dominating tig-
ure who stood like a rock against
Prussianism in the Hellenic kingdom,
has volunteered with certain other IN
huential Greeks to finance the cree
ton of Y. M. c. A. building in Ath-
ems If the American Red Triangle will
furnish secretaries, so deeply was he
impressed by the organizations work
in the war. This has just been an
nounced by p. D. Mangum, Y. M.
G.. A. secretary who worked with the
Greek forces at Saloniki before and
after the BuIgar collapse. Mr.. Vent-
zelos. Mr.. A1ecedes, governor general
of Macedonia, and other prominent
Greeks offer to furnish the money for
a z. NJ. c. A. along the lines recon-
mended by Richard Boardman of
Jersey City, to put association work
on the same footing with that in AM
erica, France and England to meet
the requirements Of Geturning Greek
soldiers.
Hundreds of Greeks who returned
to- defend their native land aid who
had enjoyed Y. M. G. A. facilities in
America, started the demand for the
Red Triangle work. The Greeks Of
fering to finance the project ask that
workers experienced in all branches
of "Y" activity be sent from New
York, While they would like to have
MIR. oBardman, who inspired the pro-
ject for a large city Y. M. G. A, he
was forced to return home after an
accident and unable to carry through
his plans. They will be followed out
though, Mr.. Mangum says. Mr.
Boardman, Mr.. Mangum and Harvey
aP
Grated a Y M. C. A. hut with the
Greek and Allied forces at Saloniki,
where 1t was estimated 200 men
were served daily.
A coffee room where Turkish coffee
was served for the small sum of five
lebtas (ajbout one-tenth OF q penny
proved to be the main drawing card
OF the hut at first. Interest was soon
aroused, however, In a canteen where
socks. safety pins, handkerchiefs,
chocolate and cigarettes and tobacco
were sold. The "Y" men succeeded
In having n1atinees three afternoons a
week, a company Of Is Greek players
giving their services free for the per-
formance-
The hut work at Salonilti attracted
50 much attention that demands came
IN from all sections for Red Triangle
huts and workers. Mr.. Henderson
and Mr.. Mangum then succeeded in
getting three others erected--one at
Tunlba, a, large training camp, where
$4,000 Greeks are stationed, proving
especially popular. A large hut was
erected at Athens and another at q
camp not far from there. Hundreds
ofsbooks we're purchased for the hut
libraries and Mr.. Mangum reports that
the need of more reading matter and
especially of books that will aid in tho
educational program Of the Y. M. G. IA
is urgent
So eager are the Greeks for reading
matter that the two Y. NJ. G. A. sec
retartes used a contribution of So, 900
from Mr.. Alcedes for books. The name
of the governor general Of Macedonia
was stamped on each volume and it is
planned to make the books the nu-
cleus of a large library at Athens.
Another notable contribution toward
tae work was made by Premier Vent
zelos. who gave $4,000 for the erec-
ton of the hut at Tumba.
At the time of the Bulgarian eva
cuation a gift of $1,000 from A. G.
Danos of Athens was used to purchase
supplies of beans, sugar and other
foodstuffs for the people at Seros in
Eastern Macedonia. The Red Triangl5
workers arrived the day after the Bull
CARS left and fed 1900 starving per-
sons the first day.
When the "Y'' secretaries returned
to Athens, Mr.. Danos had heard of
their work at Seros and he imm edate-
] Iy sent them a check for $4,000 to be
spent in relief measures.
That the Y. NJ. c. A. movement has
q taken hold In Greece and is winning
! the hearty support of the influential
people is evidenced by the fact that
Mr.. Alecedes, who is the moving spirit
in the work, has secured over $780,
= O0O7in contributions during the past
q few weeks.
Mr.. Mangum was pastor of the First
Baptist church of Paris, Mo-, before
entering the overseas service of the
Z. NJ. c. A.