The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-03-19


since school or college days had
been war-and many millions OF
older people. During the War and
after, even the. Churches were
divided since the members there
of had been, and still were. on
opposite sides Of the fence-be-
ing respectively the Enemy" or
Allies" nations.
II IS a matter of tremendous sig
fnificance to thoughtful persons
that whilst Scouting had been
born and brought into being only
a few years before the World
War-both during the War and
in the long years since. when all
else seemed to crumple or at
least be crippled = Scouting
marched forward steadily, each
year showing marked progress, so
that in this present day it is the
most remarkable factor in nat
ional and international life. In
religion the whole of mankind is
grouped in Churches, Beliefs, or
Creeds which differ radically.
ONLY in Scouting is there one
common brotherhood and sister
hood at present; in the Scouts
Year Book giving the figures for
l933-I934. published in 1885. and
counting all the many Dominions.
Countries; etc, which make up
the British Empire as only ONE
country in that compilation-47
Countries participate II this in
ternational movement of the
young: unhappily Germany and
Italy, and save for tiny group
Russia aslo, are not listed. since
these countries had converted
their Youth organizations into
their own Nazi or Fascist forms.
It is interesting to note that
four great humanitarian move
ments originating in England
have become International: dur
ing the Crimean War Florence
Nightingale began her work
which resulted in modern trained
nursing; in the East End slums of
London William Booth began the
Salvation Army; in the center of
the business part of London. the
City proper, Mr.. Williams BEGAN
the Y. NJ C. A. and in the West
End of London Lieut.. General Sir
Robert S. S. Baden Powell las
he then was) began Scouting. his
first Camp being on Brownsea
IsIand-and-the movement for
mally began on January a. 1908
in the Y. M. c.. A. building in
BirkenEead. All four movements
have swept all over the world
but. whilst tie others follow
UNCONVENTIONAL lines within vary
ing religious denominations.
Trained Nursing and Scouting are
free of such limitations. Happily
all churches, Denominations. etc.
heartily endorse and support
Scouting. and even Non-Chris-
ton nations support and join a
Youth Movement the Law of
which is (Par. 12thl-~A SCOUT
IS REVERENT. He is rever mt
towards God" He is faithful in
his religious duties. and respects
the convictions of others in mat
tiers of custom and religion"
Baden PowelTs first thoughts of
character development intended
for the guidance and training of
young recruits. were IN 1888.
while he was only a Regimental
Adjutant. He followed the mat
ter through the long years. and
il was whilst he was the General
in command Of Mafeking. during
its long siege in the South At
rican War. in 1899. that he CON-
pleted his book Aids TO Scout
ing" -
II happened that ! was in Lon
don when the news was flashed
from South Africa that after its
long and bitter siege Of Hafeking
had been safely relieved. the
whole of the British Empire eele-
brated. In London vast crowds
thronged outside the house of
Baden Powell's Notwithstanding
until their threats We're hosrSe.
Wheeled traffic was impossible.
I walked around TO watch the
scene-and saw that gentle old
lady smiling at the vast mass Of
people who had come 10 cheer
the mother of the man who had
safely held Mafeking through its
long siege.
And-not one Of US there, nor
any man. dreamed that during
that siege Baden Powell had been
perfecting his book Aids TO
Scouting which in later adapta-
ton was 10 be the basis of the
ghsstesf Youth Movement which
has as yet been seen in this world
Of ours-and which during the
World War. and in the black
Years which have followed. stood
fast Increased with q sure and
steady growth. 50 that IN this
present day il functions IN every
part Of the world. and IN our
country alone must have AZ this
date in combined Boy and Girl
Scouting az least three millions
Of boys and girls registered and
splendidly hIncsioning. OF the