Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-12-04
LOWERED LIGHTS
IN ALL ENGLAND
Unusual Precautions Against
Visit Of zeppeIins.
INSURE PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Curtains Of Passenger Train Coaches
Must De Drawn While Trains Are
Travelling at Night-With Arrival Of
Short Days Diseomforts Of Darkened
City Are Increased.
The lowered lights order issued to
hide London from marauding airships
now has been extended to the whole
country. and. while the restrictions In
the provincial cities are not as strict
as those prevailing In the capital. these
places Will be deprived Of sky signs
and other conspicuous Examinations.
One of the peculiar features Of the
order is a clause providing that the
curtains Of passenger train coaches
must be drawn while trains are tray
I cling Mt night. The authorities evi-
IDENTITY believe that such trains might
act as guides to the enemy's airships.
which could follow them into the cities
for which they happened to be bound.
In London the majority Of the popu-
lation apparently is beginning to be
resentful instead Of appreciative Of
the precautions taken by the police.
Nevertheless the authorities consider
the menace of aircraft strong enough
to justify insurance Of some Of the ar
chitectural landmarks. The famous
guNdhall which is the town hall Of
the city Of London. has just been in
sured against damage by aircraft. for
S2.OOOOO0. The premium paid was
$4,000. st. Paul's and Westminster
abbey also have been insured. accord
ing to current reports.
Discomforts of Darkened City.
The Insurance question was discuss
ed at a meeting of the court Of com
mon council in the guildhall. and Il
letter from the chamber of commerce
was read suggesting that representa-
tons be made to the government with
view to obtaining more favorable
terms for the insurance of buildings
against risk of aerial raiders.
Now that the short days, when arti-
fetal lights are necessary as early as
1 o'clock. have begun the discomfOrts
Of a darkened city are increased.
Three deaths Of persons killed on the
streets ut night have come from the
coroners during the past week. The
commissioner Of police has issued an
appeal to motor drivers to lessen the
burden on the police.
There is large spirit of rush and
recklessness arising from the excite
ment Of wartimes which accounts
largely for careless driving. Hundreds
Of motors are employed on military
duties, and these, carrying the magic
sign 20. H. NJ. S." ION his majesty's
service), dash through the streets at
high speed and perhaps set democrat
izing example to the drivers Of taxis
and private cars.
Seaside Hotels Filled.
From the German wireless messages
Londoners have heard that thousands
are fleeing to Scotland from fear of
the Zeppelns. This is the first news
Of any such exodus that had been d.
vulged here. Old ladies and servant
girls SILVER ut the word Zeppelin. but
the general apathy Of the British pub
lie in the presence Of the possibility Of
invasion by land, sea or air is consid-
cred by the newspapers ito be the
grea test drawback to recruiting. The
seaside hotels at Brighton, Folkestone,
Eastbourne and other channel resorts
are filed with their usual complement
Of the leisure classes, Notwithstanding
the chances Of bombardment. which
the German dash to Yarmouth showed
is n danger to be reckoned with.
England is to have its own fleet of
Zeppelins by the beginning Of next
year, if the plans of company recent
ly formed. with capital of S1,0O0,OO0,
prove successful. Works are now be-
ing constructed. the promoter says, and
these new airships. although smaller
than the German Zeppelins, are de-
scribed as vastly more dangerous and
planned to be the handiest and fastest
air craft yet built.