Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1914-10-29
BY PROF. F. B. steece, Washington
SPRINGS, s.. o.

duplication made for registration
under the u. 8. Copyright Laws, by
the Jerauld County Review, Messing
ton Springs. South DAKOTA
Stirling, Scotland. Sept. q, 1914
Stirling and vicinity might very ap-
propriately be called the historic CEN
ter of Scotland. Battlefields may be
see or every side and the two bat
ties of greatest Importance to Scot
land, Stirling Bridge and Bannock-
burn were founght not far away. It'll
occupies a most romantic and beauti-
full position in the center of Scotland
on a narrow neck of land formed by
the Firth of Forth and the western
hills. Its excellent situation caused
it to be, from the earliest times, a
place of great strategical Importance.
The town was early regarded the key
to the Highlands, for all roads had Iol
meet here to cross the river Forth at
Stirling Bridge. The river Forth
forms a natural boundary across
Scotland, and for centuries Stirling
Bridge was the only passage across 1t.
Stirling Castle.
Stirling Castle, built on a rocky hill
VIII h rises several hundred feet
above the surrounding valley, with
out doubt was erected for the pur-
pose of commanding this gateway to
the north. This ancient stronghold is
still we'll preserved and frowns down
upon one from its lofty height as II
conscious of the heroic deeds with
which it is connected.
In times of peace this fine old cit
adel of past ages is open to the pub
lie, but now 1t is occupied by many
soldiers who will soon be ready to
take their places in the ranks of the
allies to fight against the Germans.
In front Of the castle is the esplan-
ade, an irregular open space now
used as a drill ground for recruits.
Men are offering themselves in
such great numbers that many OF
them are not supplied with uniforms
for some time after enlistment. Sew
eral times / have passed round Cas-
tie Hill, and could see soldiers look
ing down from the battiements and
overs of this grim old fortress.
An Ideal Center.
Its geographical position as well as
historical associations make Stirring
an ideal center for military purposes.
No sooner had arrived In the city
than I was aware that the military
fresh troops for the front. From
morning till late at night the streets
are full of soldiers. Fine looking
yoQng fellows they are too. No mat
ter in what direction oae may direct
his steps he is sure to encounter a
sentry guarding the entrance to some
building in which troops are station.
ed. I have counted as many as 2Oo
srldiers in one division marching to
and from the drill grounds. Four OF
five Highland pipers march ahead
fnstily playing their favoDite musical
instrument, the s%creeching bagpipe.
Many Territoraais present.
The t~erritorials, who hold nearly
the same relations to "a standin
army here as our militia do TO oul
regular army, are present In iarse
numbers to have the finishing touches
added to their training before tnes
are sent to the seat of war.
Formidable guns, the largest @
which are drawn by ten horses, are
often seen as they r being takeI
from place to place. Then there Il
tha cavalry, and woe TO the uln1llsans
who meet these fearless horsemen y
Ware bending eyry energy to recrul
the shock of battle.
The principal drill ground is KING
Park. about 100 acres IN extern. nun
dreds OF soldiers may be seen IN tnlI
mark every day, no matter What TN
condition Of the weather may pc Ses
eral times I have looked out over thu
active scene from Ladies ROCK,
high paint near the Castle where TN
ladies of the Court sat while TIM
knights in the olden days CONTESTED
iii various games and strove to VII
fbeir favor andaapplause
Troops CHARTERED in Schools.
Today many Of the schools were
onened for the first time this yea
because 0 were quartered in tn
schools.
Were it not for this constant mill
tary activity, it would hardly be
known that the greatest war In the nj
tory of the world was being tough
h,t a few hundred miles away, 10
nearly all kinds of business 60 OF
much in the usual way. Certain.
the protection afforded by the British
navy has saved these islands from tn
terrible dread of an invasion by tn
German soldiers.
German Espionage System.
One of the greatest surprises Q
the war is the extent 10 which tn
system OF German espionage has beef
developed and put into operation y
Great Britain. Almost every "a.
startling plots are discovered by tn
police or other officers. Here is Stir
ling q German woman who had beel
d trusted member Of a household TO
"a years was suspected as a. spy.
search of her effects Was made by tn
police or other officers. Here In Stil
found plans and drawings Of som
important bridge besides other a.
ticles which left no doubt as TO ne
guilty designs.
Because of the great number 9
spies who have been found out, tn
military as well as the civil officer
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