The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-07-20
CREATION Big 7
NJ /: Of YANKEES AM
Soldiers Over There Must Be
Given Aenta| and Physical
Diversion.
war IS MOST DEPRESSING
Standard Oh Official Who Has Been
Serving as Y. N. c. A. Secretary
Says Soldiers Must BE Saved
From Going Insane.

New York.-"1f the United States
Is to be spared the narrowing expert
ence Of having thousands of American
soldiers returned home because OF
mental arrangements, this country
must provide for more physical and
mental recreation for our boys over
seas"
That's the message which Herbert L.
Pratt, vice president of the Standard
Oil company, brings to the American
people after spending seven weeks In
France as q Y. NJ. C. A. secretary, and
who while there was Civen opp0rtun-
ity to see just what is meant by war.
During the first 10 months of the
war there were as many English and
Canadian soldiers returned to England
because of mental arrangements as
there were because Of wounds" said
Mr.. Pratt. "The United States must
profit BY the experiences of our allies
and must plan now to enlarge our IA
cilitiest overseas for taking care Of our
men when not actually fighting. The
American soldier is naturally higher
strung than any of the allied soldiers.
He's always on his toes. He's ever
alert. Always ready to 60. He's a
dynamo of energy. And when he isn't
actually fighting he seeks an outlet for
that energy and 1t is of vital impor-
lance that his energies be directed
rightly.
War Is Depressing.
"Thc war is most depressing. One
who rubs against the realities of war
Is overwhelmed by it's seriousness. One
marvels at what the men have endured
and what they are accomplishing. The
war overshadows everything else. And
that's all the more reason why every
thing that will result in cheering up
our men should be done now: A great
deal is being done but a lot more must
be done.
II wish could describe just how
the war affects one who comes in con-
tact with It, He feels all pent up.
His emotions seem all bundled to-
gether. And naturally he seeks relief.
He welcomes the smile, the laugh, the
warm handshake, the word Of good
cheer. Good cheer! All, that's It. It's
the 'cheer-up' message that i is needed
overseas.
'Don't think our boys are down
hearted or that they are discouraged.
Just the opposite is true. Their morale
Is excellent Their spirits are high;
their courage Is just what 1t ought to
be and they are absolutely confident.
But they want that bit Of cheer which
makes them forget some Of the cruel
ties of war. And we folks at home
must see that they get it. /
General Pershing has commissioned
the Y. NJ. C. A. to provide for the
physical and mental recreation Of the
American soldiers and sailors overseas
The association has been given great
big Job and in spite of most perplex.
Ing difficulties has been doing splendid
ly. But the great need today is for
men, great, big, two-fsted. red-blooded
men who are capable Of tackling
great big mans job and getting away
with it big.
Has a Hard Job.
Serving as Y. NJ secretary In
France is hard job. The hours are
long. The hardships, are many. And
the responsibilities are tremendous. 1t
isn't merely case Of selling cigarettes
or chocolate. That's merely incidental
to the big work which is being done.
The Red Triangle man is the soldiers
pal. And a good pal must always be
there with a smile or word Of cheer
or warm handclasp or just whatever
It is that is needed. This may sound
easy but it's not. It's hard Job.
'sThe American people must wake up
to this genuine need for big men to
serve as ~. NJ secretaries overseas.
They must realize that this service is
of the greatest Importance to the
American soldier and sailor. It's what
80 frequently makes soldier on the
verge of breakdown because OF nerv-
Gus strain, soldier fit for service"