Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-10-03

iHS. udl OL COURSE Is DellB IeIile-
died as rapidly as possible and fresh
men are constantly being sent ito the
'front.'
Then, too, the people. in addition to
hearing about the fighting by the Brit
ish soldiers, heard about Lord Kitchen
er's rage over the failure of the French
to support the British at Mons, his
two trips to the French capital, where
he laid down the law to such an ex-
tent that the French now accept with
out murmur his every order That
started more enthusiasm and more
rallying to the colors.
Speaking of Kitchener and his trips
to France, note this: Soon after his
second visit, things along the battle
line began to be more favorable for the
Allies. We all noticed it in the press
reports. The idea is, that Kitchener
took entire control of all the opera
lions and changed the entire plan of
campaign, with the result that success
at once began to come to the British
and their Allies. 1t shows his won
derful mind and military ability, also
the fact that England was wise in
making him war secretary in fact and
not in form. Kitchener told the King
that he would take the position only
on condition that he should have free
hand in the conduct of the War-pre-
cisely as Grant did when he took COM
mand of the army In the Civil War.
Grant won!
Another evidence of how the war
preparations were kept secret is the
fact that it was two weeks before the
mil in NO. toll a..
1900 men as an expeditionary force
had been shipped across the Channel
and were then at the front in France.
Mr.. Jewett himself was then within
few miles of one of the shipping
ports and of course saw what was go
ing on, but the mass of the people
knew it only as above stated.
The ideas held by the Germans
about what had happened to England
itself were funny. A letter from
German editor received shortly before
sailing asserted that the German
troops had suffered no reverses what
ever. but were simply walking over the
enemy 1t also charged the most hor
rible atrocities to the British soldiers
credit. You can use your own judg
ment about believing the last.
Then the German prisoners being
taken to Edinburgh could not be con-
yineed that they were in that city,
| because they had been told while on
the fighting line that the Germans had
over-run the British Isles and Edin
| burgh had been sacked and burned. A
fine illustration of the methods used
to cheer up the German soldiers.
Asked what the report was in Lon
don regarding the landing of Russian
troops en- routs to France he said that
! all such information was kept from
! the press. but he had talked with ar
my officers, one of whom at least had
said he had assisted in the work of
transportation of 10000 Russian SOL
diers across England.
A great misunderstanding seems to
/ have gone out about the outbreak of
! the war. OF course, everyone was ex-
cited, the outcome and the far reach
4 ing results could not be estimated and
/ business came to a standstill. But,
now. when the stern purpose of the
| British government and her allies is
realized things are shaping themselves
to the conditions and business is be-
ing resumed. For instance. an cleo
tre light manufacturing plant, not far
| from where / am located, discharged
500 girls. The plant is now resuming
work
No shortage of food has ever existed
| though prices in some instances are
higher
The Americans in London really had
little or no difficulty or annoyance. A
splendid American Relief Committee
was quickly organized with headquar-
tiers at the Savoy, and it is a fact
that a busted Yankee could there raise
more money and easier than he could
have had under ordinary circum-
/ stances.
/ This relief committee did a gigantic
work in looking up missing Americans in
England or on the Continent, furnishing
every conceivable kind of aid, arranging
for passages, etc.
But for war news it had to depend or
the American papers, as did all hands
Why, Selfrdge, one of the largest Amer
lean tradesmen in London, issued for sew
eral weeks four-page daily paper for
the benefit of the Americans. And, say
even the staid old London Times issued
an American edition daily.
1t was thus that the Americans got the
war news. though 1t seemed funny to re-
ceive a letter suggesting news to us, In
asking II we were really short of food.
One great benefit is coming to the
masses through the fact that the British
government Is awakenng-aroused nj
doubt by the tremendous showing of 10y
atty and patriotlsm-to the fact that the
business men are deserving of better
treatment and is in a marked degree rec
ognizing and aiding them. That of course
is fast creating better feeling and al
hands can work better together.
The American business firms located Ii
London and other parts of England are
Just now marking time,'s awaiting the
opportunity-sure to come sooner or later
of resuming business on a largely in
creased scale. The end OF the war mean.
a great deal to American capital ant
manufacturers, because the outlook aheat
is that the Americans will not only hole
their present business but go after tn,
greater part of Germany's business II
England and her possessions, besid,
branching out onto the Continent, ever
into Germany herself. where bushes!