Smyrna times., 1919-07-16
BAKER PRAISES
ALL "Y WORKERS
Represented "Heart of America"
/ Says War Secretary.
TELLS OF THE HERO DEAD.
Defines Women Canteen Workers
as "HOneSt-to- God American
/ Girls"
TELLS OF THE HERO DEAD.

DAYING a high tribute to the work
of the various war welfare
agencies serving the A. 2, f., Secre
tary of War Newton D. Baker, who re
turned recently from a tour Of in.
spection and investigation Of our army
in France and the occupied portion
Of Germany, has made public state.
ment with reference to the magnitude
and accomplishments OF the Young
Mems Christian Association overseas,
which, In the words of the secretary
Of war, "by reason Of its longer estab-
lishment. its larger experiences and
its larger facilities, had the greater
part Of this work to do, especially
abroad"
This statement was made by Secre-
tsry Baker n cohhection With TIE award
ing of the cyoiK de Guerrs to three Z.
M. c. A. workers who served In France
At the request OF DR.. John Il. Mott. gen.
eral secretary Of the National War Work
Council. Y. M, c. A.. made recently to the
war department. there % an official in
vestigation and survey IL the Red Tri-
angle work with the A. e. =. overseas
now under way. Secretary Baker gave
high praise to Its work from his own per-
sonal observation during the war and
since the signing OF the armIstice.
'The Z. NJ. G. A. has represented the
heart Of America and has carried to SOL
diers abroad our affections and our ideals
for
not know IL I can convey to those who
have not had the opportunity to see what
went on there any adequate idea of the
character OF that service. and the appre-
citation which the var department. and
the army of the United States feel for
the service rendered By the z. M. G. A.,
both at homo and overseas"
For the 11.229 z. NJ. C. A. women and
men workers sent overseas UP to April
10, Secretary Baker has only words Of
praise. "Honest-to-Go Americans. he
calls them. using the language Of our
soldiers. Seventy-flve OF these volunteer
non -combatant workers are buried ''over
there" in their army khaki. Fourteen
were killed by shell fire in action, two Of
whom were "K" canteen workers-Amer-
ican women.
OF the part the Y. NJ C. A. played in aid
Ing morale and keeping healthy and hap
py our two millions Of soldiers overseas,
ne said; When we survey this superb
army which Is now coming home, with
its brOadened shoulders, bronzed cheeks,
robust health, splendid nerve, and high
spirit that comes with great accomplish
ment we must remember that among the
formative innnanaaQ hof inf
and made it possible was this social
spirit which was carried from home to
the front hne trenches, which shared the
privations and dangers. was an integral
part Of the army; fQF in No Mans Land
where the shells fen thick and fast, there
are the graves Of American soldiers and
the graves Of tho Y workers, side by
side, not separated 10 their work, not
separated IN their faith. not separated In
spirit. not separated Ia their sacrifices.
finally united in their last resting place.
They were at the front 10 the very
front line trenches over which shrapneI
burst and over which aeroplanes hover
ed Under machine-gun fire one could
find the American doughboy at his listen
Ing post and very often alongside Of him
the 7. NJ. C. A. man with his books.
magazines papers and his little aids and
comforts, which were carried to the very
edge Of No Mans Land"
There were 1891 American women Y.
NJ. G. A. canteen workers and theatrical
sent overseas up to April 10.
and Secretary Baker giorifieB these self
sacrificing workers. declaring they hAvo
the love and full respect of our American
soldier manhood.
In fba b,,ta A. n
woman were found-That extraordinary
beautiful thing which the Y. NJ c. A.
sent over, and which the doughboy learn,
ed to call. an Honest to- God American
Girl
Sometimes her hatR was streaked with
gray, and there was the relationship of
mother and son; but ordinarily the rela-
.ionship was the tender relationship Of
brother and sister. have had these fine
girls say; 'MT. Secretary. 1 live with
of soldiers fifteen miles from
any other woman who can speak English.
and although have been with that regi-
ment a month, 1 have never heard one
man swear in my presence
Il asked, But do you always feel safe
N such a desolate placer
she replied, with q laugh: When I
lie down at night the doughboys yoliIn-
tarily post a guard around my tent, and
am never disturbed until reVeille In
the morning."
OF the work OF the Z. Nj. c. A. on
in the overseas training camps
and In evaeuating the wounded Secretary
Baker says: LAS / crossed the Atlantic
during the war, through the danger zone.
found the T. NJ G. 4. worker on the shin
taking his place beside the soldier When
that hour was over on all these shIps.
coming and going, these agents of the
high social purpose Of America minister
ed to the sick and wounded-with their
magazines. books, etc.
entertained and advised tbA
we'll
I'm the long periods Of training over
there the Y. NJ. c. A. workers were con-
stantiy found organizing amusements.
aiding men in corresponding with their
families and friends at home, giving coun-
sci and advice In the embarassments that
arose In the daily life of the soldier.
to them by distribution OF
such things as could be provided by the
generous funds of the people OF America.
welcoming the incoming soldier and Civ
ing the outgoing soldier Godspeed."
TO the splendid work of these various
war welfare agencies fs very largely due
the fact. said Secretary Bah@p, that "uo
army OF any size, cs nationality, fn-
.nkr -. -.