El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-26

~HAT war has always brought I'M
desirable conditions was more
= strongly expressed by Cen
sherman, in describing war. Condi-
tons in France an I Belgium are terri
bic proof that Sherman was right
With the enormous loss OF life, the
piIlaging and devastation OF peaceful
communities and the statiOning Of
hundreds OF thousands Of foreign
trOops on the soil Of France. social
conditions are upset and the standard
Of morals lowered. That the soldiers
of the United states, just entering the
war. may not give way TO the lnIlu-
ence of immoral conditions resulting
from the general upheaval and social
al arrangement the Y II. C. \ IS
working. through army organization.
to assist the American soldier in keep
ing the paths trOd in America.
To do this, it is necessary to keep
every soldier doing service across the
seas in close touch with home his
SURROUNDINGS and influences must De
kept like those which envirOned him
At home so that he Will not 90 astray-
ANY army, no matter what the ma
tiOnality. Will surely give way to i'm
morality II dissipation be permitted 10
come in close contact with the soldier
body.
The only prevention OF the calamity
is TO bar the causes Not least Of the
things that keep a soldiers mind on
home is the letters he receives Natu-
rally relatives will write, but in many
cases there are but few letters from
this source. It is essential that the
soldier answer such missives as ne
receives. and for this purpose the Y
" c a provides in all camps spacious
quarters for writing letters. wher
materials are free TO the users.
Writing letters is not considere,-
war duty by many, but Y. NJ e A
workers are calling the attention OF
civilians to the fact that they may
assist In the cause very materially by
writing to some friend IN case they
have no sons. brothers or relatives
who have gone to the colOrs- Tell
the soldier about home" said prOmi-
nent 7. N. c. A. worker recently.
Keep him In touch with home by
writing and sending him papers. Help
him keep physically and morally fit
for his task and in a mental attitude
such that he still believes it worth
while TO sacrifice for those left be-
hind. He can't feel that way if he is
forgotten II ours is the greatest
country on earth-as we all believe IL
TO be-let us prove il by the best care
OF our soldiers No man has natural
love Of war. Either il is forced on
him by a military system, he prefers
IL because in time Of peaeN the service
is not hard. or because there is a vital
reason why he should defend the
rights OF his country or humanity
Men must be inspired TO win wars
They cannot long keep inspiration IN
n foreign land if it appears that they
are forgotten or neglected by those
for whom they are fighting. Let's re-
mind them every day"
Work in the Camps.
In addition to a campaign for con-
slant communication from home win
soldiers, the army Y. " c. A. has
planned for plentiful reading material
and for religious meetings in the
camp. It recognizes the fact, too. that
a soldier is very liable TO break out
into baneful practices and habits IN
less proper recreation be furnished
His mind must be occupied. The in
tensive training now being given is
generally enough for the body To
this end the y. n c A. workers are
arranging for plays TO be given by
-ldier talent, for movie shows every
dey in the week. and for such other
social gatherings as the conditions
warrant and demand
Keeping Men Morally Clean
By these methods the United States
hopes 10 keep her men physically fit
and morally clean. Battles are won
most times by the hardships endured
DeIOTE LAG nDQE OF uaLLlE- Many an
army is whipped before the first shot
OF an attack is fired because the men
have been worn out during the trying
periods preceding battles During the
first year Of the war 10000 men of
the armies OF Great Britain became
a burden to their country instead OF
n help. because they fell victims OF
disease incident to the social evil. It
is estimated that in the armies of
France and the other allies at least
as many more suffered likewise
When Joan OF Arc took command OF
the dilapidated forces Of France she
found that the weakness Of her coun-
trymen was due largely 10 dissipation
and lewdness in the camps Of French
soldiers Neither had they any spirit.
This. as she believed. was in part due
70 many defeats. and as much so 70
the lives they were leading. She or
dered all women followers of the
camps put out She made every man
ia the whole army attend divine serv-
ices. When the prOfane La Hira heard
o: the orders he first laughed bolster
ously. and then cursed as only La Hira
has ever been able to do. The Bastard
Of Orleans. also conceded to be one of !
Frances best generals. raved at the /
orders and swore that the men would