The Detroit times., 1914-08-29
IRISH FACTIONS
! ARE MERGED BY
| GREAT CONFLICT
DIR. q. II. OAKMAN.
Detroit Doctor Says War Has
Served to Avert Crisis Over
Home Rule Matters
ENGLISH PEOPLE CALM,
DESPITE GREAT STRUGGLE
Entire Nation Preserves Matter
/ of-Fact Attitude Despite the
Danger Of Situation
--DR. 9. n. OAKMAN.

Dr. c. H. oakman, president OF the
Detroit board of health, has Just re-
turned from England, where, In com
pany with the thousands OF other
marooned Americans. he was subject
ed to numerous Inconvenience as a
result OF the sudden breaking out OF
war. DIR. Oakland was In Dublin
when the conflict started, and so had
an excellent opportunity to observe
the shift OF sentiment on the part OF
the Obstetrics and Nationalist from
one OF division over home rule to one
OF entire unanimity In support OF
England's participation In the gem
eral war.
The change was almost instantan-
eous." said DR.. Oakman TO The Times.
I'VE saw the men Of Ulster march.
Ing and training while they denounc-
ed the government. There was fever
ed excitement among the members OF
opposing factions. Men talked OF i'm
minent war and bloodshed. And then
almost In a day, the Irish soldiers
were all Just as feverish and anxious
to be on to fight for the home gov.
eminent. We rode on the train with
some on their way to London. There
certainly was no thought Of disloyal-
ty among them.
The most wonderful thing about
the present situation In England Is
the calm. sensible way In which It
IL met by the English people. They
recognize the enormity of 1t all but
even In London they accept It In
sane matter-of-fact manner. Soldiers.
were marching through the streets OF
the cities every day and night. OF
course, we had general idea OF
where they were going. but no def
mite information could be had.
The newspapers printed nothing
about military affairs. The situation
was not an easy one in which to take
things calmly"
DIR. Oakman was accompanied by
his brother Robert Oakman. They
returned from Liverpool on the
steamer Baltic. .Since getting back
couple Of days ago." said the doc
tor. Il have been trying to get caught
up with sleep. II was q pretty hard
trip. They kept the ship so closed In
with the portfolios covered with can
vas that even though we had first
cabin II was not comfortable to sleep.
In. Between trying to sleep on deck
and other hardships, we were about
exhausted at the end of our passaee.r
Robert Oakman, the doctor, said,
ate. He has not yet reached Detroit.
DR.. Oakman told Of difflculties which
many people had In London because
they were not well supplied with gold
when the sudden financial stringency
brought on by the war came.
"For two or three days." he said.
mot even Bank of England notes were
acceptable. The bank, however, 80
effectively controlled the situation
that II restored free circulation OF
money In short time. Many per-
sons wishing to come to America had
the experience OF buying aeyaral
tickets. They would buy one only to
have the announcement made later
that their boat would not sail. In
some instances that process was re-
peated as many as six times. Some
times the purchasers got their money
back. but not always. We bougnf
several tickets and had our money
returned on those not used because
the boats did not sal"
DR.. Oakman attended the congress
or surgeons which met In London the
latter part OF July. The dental con-
eress which followed was, he said,
only q partial success on account OF
the fact that all men who were at
tending from continental countries
fastened home as soon as war threat
ened.
DR.. oakman and his brother had
expected to be forced to come across
In the steerage and so provided them.
selves with linen and all the other ac-
cessories necessary for such q pas
sage. They were, however, lucky
enough TO obtain a cabin at the last
moment, 30 gave up their supplies to
friends who were not so fortunate.
\ "The Baltic" said DR.. Oakman,
brought over about 5000 sacks OF
mail, some ten times as much as one
steamer usually carries. II had ac-
cumulated because Of so many sail
ings having been cancelled. A con-
siderable portion of II was Australian
mail II made several loads for the
mail boat which placed It on board
the steamer"
The present operations Of the OPP
posing armies on the continent are OF
such magnitude that II will take very
strenuous action to prevent the spread
OF disease and general epidemics, ac-
cording to the opinion expressed by
DR.. Oakman.
THE matter of sanitation has been
worked down to fine point IN army
circles he said, but the dificulty
here will be In carrying out the usual
rules in so exceptional a situation.
With 50 many and such large armies
in the field 1t will be impossible to