The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-12
ADVERTISEMENTS IN ENGLISH PAPERS AND WARS HORRORS
PathOs and Grim Hum0r in Want Ads in Columns of Dailies Show the Re
 suits of War

London, October -(Correspondenee o the Associated PressD-The advertisins columns of the London daily papers tel their own story of the war. If the cen sor went Sc far as to block out every othef line of information. long as h, left the ads intact. the reader woui. still not lack instructions as to what wal means to England. He would still fin, a great deal of pathos and grim humor.
 Fears at first entertained by the news papers and periodicals that advertsinl might be abandoned on account of tn, vars effect on business now appear tc have been groundless. There have beer losses. indeed, in one line, and gains jr another. with the net result that there is today, after two full months of the war, seemingly no serious diminution oi the amount of space sold at the usual rates for advertising.
 The most notable change has been in the character of the advertising. It is distinctly war advertising. Of that sort it is more extensive than has ever been known in the history of British journal ism. The greatest space gain is prob ably in the small ad' line. Two or more pages, usually the first and last. Of the leading morning papers are, as from time immemorial crowded with fine print announcements with only a bold in- ifial letter to relieve the monotony.
 Conspicuous Features
 The conspicuous new feature is the .killed in action" or the roll of honor section Alongside the familiar string of births deaths and marriage it has how become a daily occurrence to find in many of the papers a good part of a column taken up with such announce nents this:
 Read: Killed in action in the battle of the Aisne, about the 18th Sept, Arthur Eeddome Read, second lieutenant Somer- set Light infantry, the dearly loved son or the late Robert R. Read and Mrs. Iead, Avalon, Sutton, Surrey, and grand son of the late Col. R. H. Beddome and Mrs. Bcddome, Sspira. Putney."
 There is not a column and hardly an advertisement among the hundreds on the page but that directly or indirectly suggests some phase of the war. The Personal columns as ever are enig- mas except to those who have shared the secret of communication by this ineans, but they often flavor of patriot ism. When one reads: "Dearest Am praying for you. Always loyal. Love" he may easily imagine 1t to be some sweethearts possibly vain attempt to get a word to her soldier lover, she knows lot just where.
 But one needs to exercise no imagina- tion to see the effect of the war in other instances. Taking a personal col umn hsphazard one finds near the top such an appeal this:
 ''I want to buy a German helmet. What cffers?'
 There ara many euoCastiops of bou, o,,o may help the troops in training. sucn as this:
 Will anybody lend a pack of harriers or beagles to regimental mess to be hunted by the officers until ordered ebroad?"
 There are those who want to locate wounded relatives, such as this
 ''If anybody has news of Maj A r. 1iaig, the Kings Own Scottish Border CTS, wounded at Le Chateau, August 26 will they piease communicate with -"
 Appeal for Employment
 "Gentleman idle through the war" ap- pear frequently in the appeals for enl- J,oyment. One such addressing his card particularly 10 Americans says he would like to take party of three touring anywhere through Great Britain
 An advertiser holding post under mil itary authority" asks if "a kindly dis s'o'NN if''S 'i StIlltlldn WILL lenu nm Gl5 for special family provision. Will repay by mstallments of 10 shillings d week."
 There Is such a one as this to reflect The busy days at the war office:
 Officer at war office long hours, de- kires to let or exchange his house one uour from London"
 Many yong men sign themselves to such appeals as this:
 Will anyone provide motor bicycle. With pound weekly for camp expenses and for wife. to enable me to join the motor corps?'
 No matter where one may be going abroad, it seems, he believes his de- parture presents rare opportunities to extend British trade. These are several announcements like this.
 Englishman going to America. would Introduce or sell English goods Of merit on reasonable terms"
 The reader Is struck by the numbe, or advertisements in French and Dutch and Tow and then one in the strange Russian characters. There is no evi |. dence of German. "In view of the large number of French and Belgian subjects in England" says one news paper announcement, we will under take translation of advertisements from foreign words into English or English 10 foregn, free of charge"
 The situation requiredo section is always filled to over flowing these days. It contains many pathetic in stances of distress. There is no know ing how many of them are genuine One reads
 Bright English girl in great distress owing to war. Absolutely at end of resources, and disheartened trying to obtain mere existence. Musical artis- tic. well educated; fluent French. Will any lady help?
 Would Sell Jewelry
 There is an unusual number of women desiring to dispose of iewelry and other luxuries-suggestin they are in need of funds. "A lady" reads one such advertisement. wishes to dispose of her fox stole and huff tb1ack). Quite new. This seasons style Cost 10 pounds. Accept 90 shillings. |" And there is dog lover who will part with some prize dogs flor the benefit of the Belgian refugees"
 There are firms which advertise as R speciality the business of "findiny lost luggage on the continent" There is the random case of a chemist who wants a chance Ito work out processes for the manufacturing of products hitherto only made in Germany There is agency which makes this ap- peal to the clergy;
 Sermons supplied every week new. Fresh. simple, and drawing, lessons From the War"
 "A university man" appeals for a chrance to render pathetic service and wants "a living wage only" The characterization league stirs up an old controversy by advertising to men joining the territOrials that Lord Hal.