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YU
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81!
Ip'l I
II
WITH OUR TROOPS
■ /
/ Most important and pressing of all
is the association’s opportunity of serv
ing our own American troops at home
and abroad—to afford them whole
some recreation, opportunity for study,
religious guidance, substitutes for home
life, and other manifold comforts and
necessities. This is the service Pres
ident Wilson, Secretary of War Baker
and Secretary of Navy Daniels look to
the associations to render.
For every one of these men life has
been turned topsy-turvy. Old haunts,
old habits, old friends have been left
behind. Many social influences of re
straint have ceased to operate.
Insofar as it is humanly possible the
new lives of these soldiers must be ra
tionalized. Something of the steady
ing influences of home must be main
tained. In short, the break between
the old normal life and the strange new
soldier's life must be tactfully, secure
ly bridged.
The Y. M. C. A. program is designed
to. do just this thing for our boys from
the time they enlist right up to the
firing time —for they must die clean
or come back straight, if the yearnings
of hundreds of thousands of homes are
to be realized.
In the 500 association quarters,
whether there be the commodious
buildings erected in permanent en
campments or the temporary accom
modations set up in tents, cellars,
shacks, or trench dugouts, the men find
that “somebody cares.”
At the sign of the Red Triangle our
boys enjoy refined entertainments,
clever motion pictures, writing letters
to loved ones, reading, lounging, play
ing games, using the talking machjne
GERMANS SHOOT DOWN
RED CROSS WORKERS
Make Women and Girls Work
in Danger Zone, is Testi
mony of German.
British Front in Belgium.—Belgian
women and girls are being compelled
to build concrete dugouts under artil
lery fire. The statement that this form
of slavery has actually been practiced
in recorded in the diary of a German
soldier who was recently captured.
He belonged to a landwehr division
and was personally in charge of a large
number of these unfortunate Belgians,
who were daily herded together and
taken to a zone near the German lines
to perform manual labor of the hardest
kind in constant danger of death.
Called Shameful Deed.
“I am going to give another instance
of the inefficiency of the German au
thorities,” the soldier’s diary reads.
“Since the 18th instant, fifty women
and young girls have been working at
concrete dugouts at Leke. As Leke is
in the zone of fire and was shelled no
later than yesterday, this is another
case in which we cannot understand
the action of the authorities. If this
isn’t taken by .way of reprisal, then it
is a shameful deed on the part of Ger
many, which cannot be surpassed even
in imagination. The civilian popula
tion of Leke was evacuated three or
four weeks ago and now women and
children are compelled to work : t the
concrete dugouts of the village.
“It is a shame that such steps should
have been taken, whether there is rea
son for it or not. I am sure of the
facts which I state, for it is my duty
to take a gang of forty-seven women
to Leke every morning and bring them
back in the evening.”
Disregard Humanity’s Laws.
An illustration of the German dis
regard for the laws of war and human
ity can be found in an incident which
occurred the other night near Hout
holst forest. The British heard cries
of “Stretcher bearers!” from No Man's
Land. It naturally was assumed that
a wounded man was calling for help,
and the Red Cross bearers rushed out
through the darkness to render assist
ance. They were shot down by Ger
man snipers, who used this ruse to en
tice them into the opeji.
There have been many other cases
recently in which German snipers have
shot down Red Cross workers deliber
ately, notwithstanding the fact that
German Red Cross workers have been
permitted to work unmolested.
T H
No need to call the roll today.
No need to read the scrool today.
No need to seek for friends you knew
among the first command.
Small use—you know the rest of it,
The worst of it, the best of it —
Where Fate has written each address
“Somewhere in No Man’s Land.”
Somewhere in No Man’s Land today,
You’ll find the first command today,
From Neuve Chappelle to Vimy Ridge,
Where they were sent;
Their share? A triple store of it,
They did their bit and more of it.
So here's to twenty who returned
Where eighteen hundred went.
—“Kaye! 17
Tenne,”
submarinT losses' decreasing.
The report of the British admiralty last
week shows that only eight vessels over
1.600 tons were sunk by German subma
rines or mines, and four vessels under
that tonnage. This is the smallest loss
since unrestricted submarine warfare
went into effect. The Italian shipping
losses were two steamers under 1,500
tons,
Page 8
THREE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES
TRENCH AND CAMP
and piano, attending religious meet
ings, educational groups, and the spir
it of friendlinest that always prevails.
To provide these few touches of
home, whatever be the money cost of
doing so, is in reality an insignificant
service compared to the sacrifice these
men are making for us.
WITH FRENCH TROOPS
The brilliant French army opens an
other door of opportunity which must
be entered.
After the American expeditionary
force had reached France and the Red
Triangle work was established among
our troops, the leaders at the Na
tional War Work Council headquar
ters were challenged by a cablegram
authorizing this statement from Gen
eral Pershing: “The greatest service
that America can immediately render
France is to extend the association
work to the entire French army.”
The association is asked to send ovef
at least 500 thoroughly cable American
secretaries to provide for the service of
the 4,000,000 French troops. Some have
already sailed. Others will follow. If
any body of men in the world have a
claim upon our instant and full re
sponse it is this wonderful body of
fighting men.
There are about 3,000 camps for
these troops in France where the Red
Triangle service oughtt o be started
and where it would be heartily weK
cbmed by prominent officials. To do
the work as effectively as it is being
done in the,British army in France
would require about 1,000 huts.
This work among the French troops,
however, will be started at present at
only about 100 centers, with the hope
SHATTERED MEN
WILL BE RESTORED
Surgeon General Gorgas Has
String of Hospitals Ready for
Wounded Men.
With American wounded actually be
ing carried back from the fighting front.
Surgeon General Gorgas’ office declared
itself equipped and ready to rebuild our
human battle wreckage into able-bodied
men.
The string of reclamation hospitals ex
tends from the French lines to the shores
of this country. Every device and re
nounce known to science is at hand to
rebuild every human part and organ pos
sible to the magic of surgery.
Pershing’s first wounded and thousands
of others will be carried back to life and
usefulness from the closing door of death.
New Bones.
Men with half their faces shot away
by shrapnel will get new jaw bones from
their ribs, new noses and new -cheeks
from the cartilege and tissue on other
parts of their bodies.
The surgeon general’s staff believes the
value of this service to America cannot
be mathematically estimated. Thousands
of men who would be wrecks, will be sent
back whole and hale to the fighting; oth
ers will be rebuilt and taught trades that
will make them economic assets instead
of liabilities.
Plans are being completed for a big
base hospital in this country where all
totally disabled memwill be sent after the
European string of hospitals have done
all they can for them. In this hospital
additional efforts will be made to put
them in good shape.
In re-educating the deaf, dumb and
blind, they will be sent to private institu
tions at government expense.
General Gorgas’ idea is to build as few
hospitals in this country exclusively for
this reclamation work as possible. The
greater part of the reparative, surgery will
be done just behind the lines.
British Troops
Nearing Jerusalem
Where 217 years ago the crusaders
achieved a notable victory over the Mos
lem hordes. British has carried the
standard of democracy in a crushing de
feat of the Turks. Official statements
trom the Egyptian expeditionary forces
under General Allenby told of the cap.
ture of Askalon with casualties inflicted
on the enemy estimated at 10,000.
Askalon is on ancient history. Herod
was born there. It is 14 miles southwest
of Gaza, and 30 miles from Jerusalem.
The Crusaders captured the city in 1099.
had to relinquish it, re-captured it in 1153
and Saladin the Great took it again in
1187. Then in 1270 the Infidel hordes
took it. They have held it ever since.
With the occupation of Askalon. the
British forces have described a half cir
cle around the Holy City of Jerusalem,
At Hebron, occupied earlier in the week,
the British are nearly twenty miles dis
tant from the Shrine of Christians.
Russian Situation
As we go to press, the Russian situation
is much beclouded. Confidence is ex
pressed that #le Bolsheviki will soon be
driven out of power and a new govern
ment set up that will stabilize the affairs
of Russia. Premier Kerensky is report
ed to have fought an important battle
near Petrograd, but the result is:not
given. Fighting has occurred in Petro
grad between the military cadets and the
Bolsheviki troops, the latter being suc
cessful.
GIRARD COLLEGE, ATTENTION!
All Girard College men in Camp
Hancock are asked to send their names
to Lieutenant Ehlers, Company C,
107th Machine Gun Battalion. It is
hoped to arrange for a meeting in the
near future. Girard College has sent
several men to France, others are in
the aviation corps and quite a few are
known to be in Camp Hancock.
that it will be extended to at least one
thousand. Huts will be erected at the
earliest possible moment and the activ
ities prosecuted and expanded with
vigor.
WITH RUSSIAN TROOPS
Russia has called to the colors since
the war began over 13,000,000 men, the
largest army ever assembled by any
one nation in the history of the world.
About 7,000,000 in the Russian army to
day-are carrying the tremendous re
sponsibility of maintaining the war on
the long drawn-out eastern front.
It is of supreme importance that the
morale of these troops be maintained
so that their critical duty may be per
formed most effectively and faithfully.
To introduce the Young men's Chris
tian Association work among these mil
lions is perhaps the greatest single op
portunity for Christian service that has
ever been presented to the American
people.
It should mean the development of a
greater working efficiency and a truly
triumphant spirit among the Russian
soldiers, which in view of the perilously
unsettled conditions are of vital im
portance.
Leading officials in state, church and
army circles are heartily welcoming
the work already started and are
looking forward enthusiastically to its
enlargement. Several points have been
organized and qualified American lead
ers are being sent.
“It is not,” says Dr. Mott, who has
recently visited Russia as a member
of President Wilson's Special Missian,
“an optional matter whether or not we
shall enter this door; it is obligatory.
Bythis I mean it is God’s call and
cannot be denied.”
He’s Driving For
America Now
(BY J. cTbURTON.)
He used to tour the boulevards and never
knew a row,
He took the missues Tidin' and the kids,
But he’s serving in the army dressed in
greasy khaki now
Where there’s things far worse than
blowouts and near skids.
He may have drove a flivver that went
rattling on its way
Or lounged back in a regal limousine,
But poor or rich, at present he is drawin’
soldier's pay
As the knight of that great monarch,
Gasoline.
Give him gasoline and oil
And he’s ready for his toil —
He don’t consult a guide book ’fore he
leaves;
He’s not finicky ’bout roads
When the gunners yell for loads
Os shells and men are down with empty
sleeves.
He is always cool of head
And his Fght fool’s full of |c; ,J.
And he’ll use it till the shrapnel claims
a limb;
And he coaxes and he pleads
With his car for greater speeds
Does the military chauffeur—here’s to
him!
When his -Car Is under fire.
He will change a frazzled tire
And curse the bullets spittin’ at his
heels;
He may be a bit profane
And he drives like one insane.
For he dreams of speed and eats it
with his meals.
He will take a general grand
To the edge of No Man’s I.and
Where yawns the pit of death with
scarlet rim:
And he'll pray and curse and scold
In the hope that nuts will hold
For the military chauffeur—here’s to
him!
Where the skies are shot with red,
On the field heaped with the dead,
You will see him with the ambulance
brigade
Though his heart is cast of steel,
He is Mercy at the wheel
To the men who won’t report for dress
parade.
With a mother’s tender care
He will take the wretches where
The surgeons wait and life is not so
grim;
And he bears them to the cars,
He is serving God, not Mars.
Is the military chauffeur—here’s to him!
There’s a new recruit reportin’ to the sea
soned motor corps,
That has.left a heap of fightin’ far be
hind; '
He may appear atrifle green—his uni
form ain’t tore —
But he’s game and not a coward you
will find. I
So be patient, French and Britons, he will
soon learn all the tricks,
It won't be long until he'll be in trim
To challenge you to race with death along
the River Styx;
That’s the U. S. Army chauffeur—here’s
to him!
Italian Situation
Although confronted by the main army
of the Austro-Germans, the Italian line
is holding firmly along the Piave river,
where General Cadorna and the allied
council have decided to make a stand.
The Italians are entrenched, with the
river from a half mile to a mile between
them and the enemy. Artillery fire is in
progress, French and British batteries
assisting the Italians. The Germans have
not been able to bring up their big guns.
Berlin says that 10.000 Italians were taken
near the upper Piave river.
Guard duty at the Augusta Arsenal is
now being done by the infantry, in
stead of the cavalry.
Sixteen “Liberty” theaters are being
built by the government in the na
tional army cantonments and are to be
self-sustaining. They will be qn a.
regularly organized dramatic and vau
deville circuit.
Nov. 14, 1917.
THE BUGLE CALL
By William Mehard Davison
Superintendent Pittsburg’
Public Schools
Hark, 1 hear the bugle call!
And from the ends of the earth they
come—
Britain’s lovers, one and all,
Marching to music of fife and drum.
With a tri-colored flag leading on,
• leading on!
Hark, I hear the bugle call!
And from the plains of France they
come—
The republic's lovers, one and all,
Marching to music of fife and drum.
With a tri-colored flag leading on,
leading on!
Hark, I hear the bugle call!-
And from the steppes of Russ they
come—
Russia’s lovers, one and all,
Marching to music of fife and drum,
With a tri-colored flag leading on,
leading on!
Hark, I hear the bugle call!
And from the Union of States they
come—
Columbia’s lovers, one and all.
Marching to music of fife and drum,
With a tri-colored flag leading on,
leading on!
Hark, I hear the bugle call!
And from the Allied nations come—
Freedom’s lovers, one and all,
Responding to bugle and fife and drum.
With the tri-colored flag of each>
leading on!
O Flag of the red, the white, the blue!
America’s emblem, and Russia’s too!
Colors of Britain; of France so true —
Freedom’s banner of each and all,
For you we come at our countryis call;
To blend our faith in our love of
you!
O Glorious Flags of the colors three!
Destined to make the nations free,
We wage world-battle , for love of
thee!
Brothers all in Freedom’s cause,
Lovers of justice, defenders of laws,
We’ll plant our flags at the “ends
of the sea!”
And not until the Hun makes pause
And “scraps of paper” are sacred
laws;
Not until the world is free
Wil we hush the music of fife and
drum—
We are fighting the battles of
Liberty—
O Tri-colored Flags, Lead on, Lead on!
How a Camp Hancock Religious
Director Started a
Bible Class.
One of the religious directors of the
Army Y. M. C. A. at Camp Hancock
succeeded’- last week in organizing a
Bible class in a company despite the
fears of the sergeant that the men
would not be interested.
One night he went to a certain in
fantry regiment and entered a tent on
the company street, in quest of Ser
geant
“Sergeant, what are the prospects of
starting a Bible class among the boys
in your squad?”
"I don’t believe we can do it,” said
the sergeant. I don’t think the men
care for Bible classes. They’d rather
do other things.”
One of the men in the squad was in
the act of cleaning his gun and turning
to him, the Y. M. C. A. man said:
"What do you-think about joining a
Bible class, my friend?”
‘We don’t have time for that,” was
the reply. “When we have a little
time off, we have so many things to
do. cleaning up our clothes and equip
ment. I dont’ think I’d be interested.”
The secretary was not discouraged,
so he replied.
“It's well to have your equipment
clean, but a Bible class will help to
keep YOU clean. You are more im
portant than’ your equipment.”
Turning to another man lying on his
cot, the secretary said: “What do you
think about it? Will you join a class?”
"Yes, I’ll join a Bible class if you
start one,” was the immediately reply.
That broke the ice and soon six men
in the squad had signed cards indi
cating their desire to begin Bible
class study. More than that, each man
fished a brand new Testament from his
box and showed it to the secretary,
and the sergeant was the first to set
the example.
In the next tent, the same thing re
sulted, and out of two squads of men,
twelve were enrolled for a Bible class.
And one of the lieutenants in the
same company, who had been a two
year student in a theolbgical seminary,
will teach the class.
Which proves that persistence and
tact will always win out against indif
ference, and that the men in the camp
are not as indifferent to spiritual
things as some people think.
Remember that it takes three cents
for a letter and two cents for a post
card. On parcel post packages, a tax
of one cent on postage over 25 cents,
and two cents on postage over 50
cents, will go into effect December