Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-02
WORK|NGMEN FAIL
T0SEE ANY DANGER
They Do Not Realize What Re-
suits of Strikes
May Be.
NO LACK OF PATRIOTISM
Lulled Into Sense of Security
by Strength of British
Fleet.
NO LACK OF PATRIOTISM
by PHILLIP EVERETT.

man press mas made the most possible
capital out of the various strikes and
labor disputes which have taken place
here in England during the great war.
so all Intelligent ncutrals visiting Lon
don with whom l have had an oppor-
tunity TO speak have expressed their
amazcment at this phenomenon, which
they declare would be utterly impossi-
bic in their own countries.
1t Is indeed typical English phe-
nomenon. and 1t Is perhaps not strange
that the Germans have beer unable to
find any other explanation Of 1t than
a proof of English degeneration from
which they are convinced this country
is suffering.
IT Is. of course, utterly unthinkable
that similar thing could happen in
Germany: first, because the German
government would make short shrift
with the offenders. but also because the
war is too close to Germany, and it's
effects are felt by everybody To us
here in England. and especially. OF
course. to the dull, ignorant, short
sighted laboring classes, the war seems
very distant.
They know 1t is being carried on.
put they do not feel it's direct effect
In the least. 1t might as we'll be going
on In some distant colony, and every
BODY Is used to Great Britain being at
war with somebody somewhere in tho
world Nobody cares very much, and
the daily routine is not disturbed.
BRITISH NAVY KEEPS
AWAY FEARS OF WAR
The British navy is SO strong that
II Keeps away even the fear OF war.
protecting everything in the british
Isles, even down to the political .ouab-
bies' During all previous wars the
poiiticai quarrels have continued I'M
disturbed This time they have ceased
oF regular truce, but the social
struggle has been permitted % 80 on.
That this Is the only difference. and II
.his be sign Of decay. then England
mas been decadent for 1000 years.
And because he feels the war ,nly
as very distant thing, the English
workingman does not realize tina. m.
country Is in danger thi slime lie
does not realize that strike NAV do
irreparable harm.
The workingmcn on the Clvde epar-
sehcally protested when they wer.
accused of striking against ,ba;-
countrymcn lighting at the front or
In the navy. The thought had never
entered their heads; they were strik.
ing only against their employers
lhese same workingmon who srrike
ior an increase OF n penny an ur
"ouiH In the next moment gladly vol
uhteer Tor the army and go to the front
singing ana willingly let themselves
De Killed for shilling oay. They
nave enough OF fighting Spirit in them
Tor war and peace.
READY
TO FIGHT For ENGLAND
Two hundred thousand mine worlsers
ana 'o,oeo railway men have volun-
.eereo ior hitchener's armies. At first
me "ork'nS classes were very much
opposed TO England's participation in
!he war and very few recruits came
from 'hen1. But when they were told
OF no" the Germans had behaved in
Belgium and Northern France the moro
'hteihgeht OF them were thoroughly
aroused. and from that moment tbere
was no lack Of recruits.
British workingmen are dissat,.es
because the price OF the necessaries of
life has gone up The purcb.sfps
power OF the sovereign is now barely
more than 13sh Cd, or about two-thirds
before no
war The workers insist that tho
greedy business men and shinowners
are 10 blame, that they have causod
prices to rise, They maintain that lust
as the government at the BEGINNING of
the war took over the control OF tba
railroads, they ought to have taken
over inc controi of all shipping and
the import OF food And whom Tho
manufacturers TO make fortunes IN
war materials it ought to have soon
that the wages of tho workers wer, in
creased. so that they got their lust
share Of the increased Profits
On the other side, il is maintained
that Il: Germany tho government has
taken control Of all foodstuns ana
still prices have gone up, The British
government bought UP enormous ouan-
Titles of sugar, and yet sugar has risen
more than any other commodity Tho
government here has taken over Tho
control of all railroads and part of the
docks and yet the rise in prices is
fully as much due to the railroads and
docks rs to the shipping. which ia still
In private hands. The ships arc rorcod
to remain longer at the docks because
n
receive the cargoes and shippinr rotos
rise
CAUSES PRICES TO GO UP
ALL OVER THE WORLD
1t is. indeed, the sudden interference
Of tho government, which has suddenIv
entered the market as buyer and Chin
per on n gigantic scale Of all kinds OF
food and war munitions for tho armies.
with tho fact that tho
men serving In these have ceased to
produce. which have caused prices to
go up not only here, but all over tho
world.
The war here In England has brought
about social and political activity,
which Is AZ intense as at any time dur
Ing peace conditions, nay. even moro
so, because the extraordinary circum-
stances tempt to trying the new OK
periments. which are demanded, with
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