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YU V e; 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