The Alaska citizen. (Fairbanks, Alaska) 1910-1917, 1914-12-07
LONDON LETTER
TELLS EFFECTS
Of WAR THERE
CONFLICT is DRAWING FRANCE
AND GREAT BRITAIN INTO
CLOSER TOUCH.

LONDON, Oct 30.-Americans who
have been staying on the continent
In the hope of an early ending OF
the war, are beginning to arrive in
London on their way home and the
experiences they relate are indeed
distressing. 1t is impossible to re-
peat some of the stories of suffer
ing and misery.
Regardless of sympathies, it is
generally agreed that it would be a
blessing if the neutral nations could
persuade the belligerents to termin-
ate the war. The winter is sure
to be an extremely hard one. and
there will be almost as many deaths
from cold and privation as from &C
tual warfare.
The Paris tailors are active in
spite of the war although much of
the work is being done by women.
They are making large purchases
of British made materials just now.
The alliance between France and
England has become real and
vital affair. The two countries are
working together in more ways than
one, and exclusive Parisiennes are
showing keen appreciation of Eng
fish materials and English fashions
so far as street clothes are con
cerned On the other hand, English
dressmakers are buying as much as
possible from France.
Reports from Petrograd say that
the car has some very ambitious
plans in view for the future of Rus
CT Nov hn cold to bn rraIit of
Emperor Nicholas, however, that he
has given every assurance that Rus
STA will act in full accord with the
allies in the event Of peace.
So many rumors have been circu-
lated to the effect that after the
fighting is over Russia will fight
with France and England over the
division OF territory that the Rus
sian officials are doing all in their
power to counterfeit the effect of
sch stories. The Russian soldiers
have shown a vast Improvement
over their fighting form during the
present struggle. The war with Jap
an taught the car and his military
advisers a great lesson and present
events show that they have profited
thereby.
OLD MEN PREFERRED.
If one will casually go over the list
of the commanders who are promi-
nent in the war, it will be found
that the heaviest responsibilities have
been placed on men of fifty years
of age or more. History is both
repeating and reversing itself in
this particular and this adds some
thing to the psychological puzzle
which the present situation offers
for consideration. Practically all of
the British generals have passed
fifty.
France has placed the heaviest
burdens upon men in the sixties.
Germany apparently has looked ask
ance at any general of less than
three score years and Austria has
placed premium upon generals who
have passed the half century mark.
The same is equally true of Russia
and Servia. The advocates of young
blood" strange to say have been singu-
larry reconciled to this condition
of affairs, for it is agreed that to
have selected better men. in most
instances, would have been impos-
sible, regardless of age considera-
lions.
Newspapers in Berlin and through
out Germany praise the German au-
thorities for the good treatment &C
corded to all prisoners. They com
ment in particular upon the fact
that consideration for the captives is
shown in the matter Of food. On
certain days each week the prison
ers get vegetables with pork or
bacon. On these days special
dish is cooked for the Turcos and
Sengalese because the Mohammedan
religion forbids the eating of pork.