The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-28
Remarkable Change in
England Since the War
Life To-day a Vivid Contrast to Normal COndi-
tions-Country Seems Strange Land
to Own People.

more work than there are workers.
All this means prosperity--for the
time; a very different picture from
that drawn by those who said three
months war would mean red ruin to
England. But the war Is now costing
England 5000, 900 a day and will have
to be paid for; up to now there are
really no war taxes, for they will come
under the budget which has vet TO be
made.
Large numbers OF Belgian refugees
are now working. at their own desire.
The refugees have made a difference to
England, for large districts which have
seen any foreigners beyond n
few German pork butchers contain
many RelClans. Even yet the English
children have not got over their awe
when they watch the little Belgians at
play talking I'm ~outlandlsh words Just
rs though they were speaking q Chris
tan tongue The English schoolhoy
even yet cannot repress a guffaw when
he sees "a Belgian lad throw his arms
around snother's neck and imprint a
kiss. .
The coming of the refugees was n
wonderful time. Every little nook
had its welcome committee and every
housekeeper wished TO get rid OF some
old bed. carpet or furniture for the
benefit NJ the pool R~e,Eians, though
PERHAPS really TO afford an excuse "
buying newer things. Stlll. the refu-
ge"s have been treated well. some ~
the beet houses being PVT al their dis
posal, 80 that humble Belgian WORKERS
now live in splendid mansions.
When any Of them choose To work
at a trade thy are allowed 20 keep
a certain proportion Of their wages
the balance being banked to he re-
turned 10 them when they are able
10 go home: in every case they are
fed, lodged and provided with poke,
non free. II IL doubtful II many
of them will ever go home 10 their
normal hard work and poor pay.
Most of the young fellows Of Eng
land are now wearing neat khaki cos
uines and comfortable puttees: how
many men are under arms II IS quite
impossible to say. but there Is every
reason to believe hat tlts ~officia.
figure OF three millions is much
short. Recruiting never SHOWS a sigr
of ~slackering. In each city the mum.
bers Of khaki clad men grow bigger
and bigger; one day all of them van.
ish-S mt off Il some camp always
far away from their own locality
Then another crop comes on and thai
disappears 10 make way for the next
and so on without end. Nobody eyei
knows that a six months trained lo'
is considered ready for the front I'll
news comes from Flanders that GER,
tain members figure in the casualties
Conditions for admission TO Hitch.
ener's army are very strict In tn,
fighting branches. but are easier in n,
case or the Terr!torials, the STATE
volunteers. The rejected young mer
are Joining with their elders in tn,
formation Of volunteer training corps
where in their spare time they ar,
prepared for the duties Of nom. de
fence.
There are now a million Ut NOR
men over military aga. IS, who ar,
steadily drilling. They are not helpe,
In any way by the State and are no
dslONNI 70 use CklOWleOEcN titles
so that there will not he 90 man,
Col. Smiths after the war. But the,
20 through 'he regular military train
ing and ar. allowed to provide them
selves with arms and equipmer,
though they must not wear uniform
which Resemble those of the soldiers
In short. they aro cold shouldcred D.
the authorities, but they 90 on d-!llin,
and practising shooting, learning nel
work n military operations.
In this way England has bNcom
n huge var camp. and even tn
women are learning shoot.n F az we
as nursing. The streets resound Z
the tramp OF armed men. the feelin
OF everybody being that this bushes
must he seen through to me yer
end, without compromise, but tina
every man must go II necessary I
put an end forever 10 German des
, potism nv military force. No Twin
: being could ever have imagined h
. would see such an England az hi
IN the spring OF Is.