Bisbee daily review., 1919-02-09

l wish to make it clear that in this article l an dealing with the work of the r. M- C. A in general and not in any detail. The latter would require a book, rather than a news paper article l want to help those who desire the truth, and who favor justice and lair play, to answer the general question: Was the great work of the Y M C. A. with the American Expeditionary forces a splendid success, or was it a sorry failure Can we ever hereafter point with pride" to its part in help ing win the war, or must we everlast- ingly be apOlOgiZing for its failures and shOrtcOmings2 Do we deserve the sturdy defense in '-Leslie's" for January 18th, entitled, Fair Play for the T. M- c. A." or have we merited the weak apology in Life" for Jan uary 23d, entitled, The r. M C. As Shortcomings 2"
 The r. M. C. A was doing war work under war cOnditions-not running a pink teal We are entitled to be judged by the same standards which effort, which, in spite of necessary . glorious success.
 Spirit, Mind and Body
 Because of the wonderful Opportun- ities offered by the war of serv- ing soldiers, not only of the American of all nations included in the allied armies, the '. M- C. A has become an institution of increased international importance It has taken a position in the minds of the people, not only of America, but of the whole world, sec ond in importance to no other great worldwide beneficent institution It is unique in it's character, because of the fact that it deals not alone with the spiritual, the physical, the mental and moral welfare of the men, but combines the three, as indicated by its emblems. the Red Triangle, sym bolical or the spirit, mind and body.
 The I. M- c. A. was the first great organization to be ready to meet the calb for service in ministering to the all around welfare of the American soldier At the time of the historic Columbus raid, when American troops were mobilized on the Mexican bor- der, the call went out for the need for welfare work among the soldiers and. within three days time the ''Y'' was on the ground with men, build ings and materials to serve the Amer jean soldiers at Columbus, New Mexico.
 Showed Itself Ready
 Following the Columbus raid, when the American army and the National Guard was mobiliZed on the Mexican border to the extent of over 100000 men, the Y. NJ. c. A. showed itself ready and able to meet the call for service to the soldier boys.
 Likewise, ii was first on the ground. ready and equipped for work among the American troops in Flu rope, as soon as the first representa- tives of our great army set foot on the soil of France From that date to the present, the work has expanded by tremendous strides until it in- eluded in it's personnel a fair sized army of men and women and its last annual budget called for the expen- diture of the tremendous sum of s1O0. 900. 900.
 The American people have ex- pressed their approval and endorse ment of this organization and its work in the most generous manner and they have the right to know whether the trust committed to this association has been faithfully dis charged
 Injustice to Y. M. C. A.
 During the last few months there have been many criticisms Of the as sOciatiOn's work among the American Expeditionary forces. voiced both by our returning soldiers and by letters from those in France. and also by critics in the public press These criticisms have come to the ears oi every thoughtful and fair minded man and woman in America and they have wondered as to the actual facts in the case. Many newspaper core spOndents, while stating the case oi the Y NJ C. A. with some degree oi fairness. have, either through preju dice or because of lack of facts dOns the T. M- c A a manifest injustice Underlying all these criticisms, there is undoubtedly a grain of truth, as this organization, due to stress under which it has labored. has not beer able to show loo per cent efficiency any more than any other government agencies have shown 100 per cent ef-