gland, France, Italy, Russia and
Mesopotamia.

In the list of recruits for International Y service there were barbers
and lawyers, truck farmers and preachers, mechanics and professors,
dentists and veterinarians, meat-eaters and vegetarians--an average lot
of Americans picked up in the hurley-burley and hasty preparation for
war.

All were recommended by men of standing in their respective communities.
If among them there were a few black sheep, the responsibility rested
with the local Y which made the investigation, or on those respectable
local citizens who indorsed them, and not on the International Y. The
Government, when applications for passports were filed, made an
investigation by special agent of the applicant's loyalty and character.

Thus were gathered together several thousand men whose average of age
was probably forty, nearly all starting from home with a conscientious
desire to render real patriotic service in the great war.

There were a few young men who joined the Y to avoid more serious
military service. There were a few others who had no other object than
to see France and Italy at Mrs. O'Flannagan's expense. There were
perhaps a very few who sought sinful adventure and experience.

The majority left home upon the receipt of a telegram ordering them to
report in New York at once, prepared to sail for Europe. They were fired
with zeal and patriotism, expecting to sail at once and upon arrival in
Europe to serve in the front line under the very muzzle of German big
Berthas.

When they arrived in New York they reported at the Hotel St. Andrews and
were then assigned to that or some other hotel and directed to report
the following morning at 347 Madison Avenue, where the International Y
had its offices.

Then they stood in line a day or two, usually snubbed if they asked some
one of the smaller office men a question, and when they sought
information, or to comply with certain regulations at the desk
designated in their printed instructions as the proper one, they were
referred to some one else or told by a stenographer that the gentleman
was out just at present, or that the applicant must first go to some
other desk before he could attend to him. This was the ground-floor
experience, where the utmost inexperience was slowly ground down to
competency and the green Y men were gradually knocked and buffeted
through in accordance with the regulations. In this way their patriotism
and resolutions we