SALVATION ARMY

Grey River Argus, 3 June 1942, Page 3

SALVATION ARMY

ADDRESS BY COLONEL EBBS.

Colonel and; Mrs. Ebbs, of the Salvation Army, were welcomed on their jfirst visit to the West Coast at a gathering on Monday evening. Mr. C. Neville presided. The Colonel stated that after years of service in Britain he went with his wife and daughter to France, and before mastering the language ,was appointed a Divisional Commander for Paris. Little did they think then, he said, when France was recovering from the effects of the.last war, that within two decades there would be a devastation' again. One could never imagine the state of the people of France after the last war, he said He got people together, and sought to help them, and taught them also to sing the songs of Zion. “When you cannot get people to do anything else, you can get them to sing,” said the Colonel.

People in France gave the Army some 35,000,000 francs to build the “Citv of Refuge,” a home where ever v type of human derelict could be kept from sinking in misery. After several years in France, he had a short period of service in Belgium. From there he went to Italy. With the introduction of Fascism there had to be a revaluation ol Church rife, with the uprise of a new regime. Laws were made which caused embarrassment to the Salva tion Army Service. No open air meetings might be held, nor processions along the streets, nor might the flag or any other banner be carried along. But the Army went on with its work. He had an interview with Mussolini when the Dictator was at the zenith of his power. “Whatever he is now (and he may be a mockery of the iman he hoped to be, and the .world thought he would be), he was then a great man. ■ “I have stood with the crowd when he was speaking,” the Colonel said, “when the very ground would seem to vibrate, when his forceful sentences called his people into a unity of service, when/ the youth of Italy simply adored II Duce. It was at, this time I had a talk with him. We spoke of Russia, and of other countries.” Then he asked me a question: “How is it that, in spite of decrees. you go on with your work.” I said: “Your Excellency, the Army has learned how to run through the raindrops without getting wet.” He replied: “But one day you will gel wet.” Strange prophecy because; in 1940, after years of self-sacrificin service, the Salvation Army .work was suppressed" in Italy. Officers were separated from families and sent to concentration camps. ' There was a decree that no one could shake

hands in Italy. The Fascist salute only must be observed. But to mv surprise, after our talk. Mussolini camp from behind his desk and shook me by the hand, saying, “I know the Salvation Army.” He then backed away and gave the Fascist salute.” The Colonel gave illustrations of service in the U.S.A. A vote of thanks to the speaker Was carried on the motion of Mr. T. Baty. Musical items were given by the band and the songsters.