The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-23
BRITISH INTRENCH
AGAINST INVASION
Extraordinary Precautions Are
Made to Guard Capital of
Empire From Germans.

NTw YORK, Dec 2&-Trenches are
being dug about London and extraor
binary precautions are being taken
throughout the English east coast regio
in anticipation of further German rad
OF invasion. This information reached
the United Press today from a reliabl
private source in England.
For two months, German invasion has
Leen expected next week" But that tn,
actual invasion is overdue is causing
no relaxation of vigilance OF preparation
on the part of General Sir Ian Hamilton
conmander-in-chief of the defense
forces.
II is also known in London that Lord
Kitchener recently made a personal
tour of inspection Of the points on tn
east coast where it is considered mos
likely the Germans may attempt land
ing.
The trench digging around London
began two months ago. 1t was an
nounced at the time that this was mer
practice work for recruits. This pre-
tense has now been abandoned. An
traveller by road out of London, especi
ally to the north and northeast has am
pie opportunities TO observe lines o
trenches that would do credit TO seasne
seppers in Flanders
They extend in an almst unbroke
line from Hendon, on the northwest
through Potters Bar. across to Eppin
Forest, on the northeast, and theme
southwark as far as the Thames.
Altogether there are now modified
along the coast from Dover to Leith
approximately half a million men. 4
large part of these are territorials, but
at important points are a number of
regiments of seasoned regular troops.
All the east coast harbors, inlets, and
waterways have been mined. \ day and
night patrol OF sea planes, steam yachts,
motor boats, and armed steam trawlers
is maintained The navy has provided
some 500 trawlers, manned by navy gun
ners. Altogether there are about 1900
small vessels. armed and unarmed, now
on this patrol service between Dover
and Leither.
Their vigilance is chiefly directed to
such stretches of coast as offer oppor-
tunity for the landing Of troops in small
boats. For the most part these places
are located remote from fortified points.
lying low almost on a level with the
sea Such q stretch is the kentish
coast line, near Sandwich, and in Essex,
Suffolk. and Norfolk
Many of the east coast towns have
been converted practically into military
amps. dnu rum AHoSh W II
civilian population has already left In
others, the townspeople are unoer orders
TO be prepared TO leave at moments
notice
Thirty Thousand troops are billeted at
Felixstowe. in Suffolk. Similar condl-
lions obtain at Cromer. in Norfolk
Concealed trenches and barbed wire en-
,anglements have been constructed near
the shore wherever the military strate-
gists have figured there is the slightest
chance of the Germans attempting TO
get a foothold. Artillery has also been
enplaced. and further inland successive
lines of trenches have been dug along
possible routes of invasion in the event
the shore guards should be repulsed-
Along the shore the patrol OF small
raft are supplemented by cyciist scouts
Day and night these military riders.
reinforced by some J0.Da0 OF General
BadensPoweIrs Boy Scouts, cover their
beats.