Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-12-29

A. Richardson. OF Deer Isle.
No matter how peaceable one may BE-,
or how much he abhors war, there 10
something in the perversity Of man
| which attracts him towards the scenes OF
confiics. Hence this writer was pleased
lately to visit Engiand-hoping to see for
| himself something OF what energy the
| English are putting into the struggle, and
other matters connected with the war.
| In starting, the most interesting matter
might supposedly be the possibility of
submarines-an that was but little more
than possibility nearly
mythical.
| When approaching the entrance OF the
Irish channel, liz thick weather, we sud-
denly found ourselves surrounded by a
feet OF small British scout ships. That
mace the path lock safe enough, but
| further up channel there were two small
cruisers dragging net half mile long,
| fishing for q sssub". We barely sailed
clear OF the net. One would not think it
were practicable to catch such a
monstrous fish as a submarine in any
kind OF net, but several have been cap
tured in that way and taken into port,
and others have been destroyed.
| The net is made Of flexible wire rope
the size OF pencil, meshes q yard square,
and is buoyed up by sir globes, while two
steamers hold it stretched across the sub
marines possible pathway. The sub,
when submerged, is not very powerful,
and il its fins, rudder, periscope or screw
become entangled in the net, 1t is helpless.
| II this writing were for the British
| press, the censor would cut out all OF this
detail. The public and the enemy are not
supposed to know OF such scenes. But,
in fact, the enemy knows eyerSthing-be-
fore 1t happens. The German govern
ment always practiced the most ingenious
system Of foreign and domestic espionage
OF any country on earth. In times of
and all his movements noted and recorded.
The English system wss' the very an
tithesis OF Germsny's-perfect freedom.
Men right come and 60 no question, no
espionage everyone innocent until
proven to be other ~ise.
Now, in war, England is trying to know
about things, but can never be so "know-
ing" as the enemy. There is difference
in the personal temperament. The Eng
lishman is too honest hearted - he cannot
SO easily practice .ways that are dark and
tricks that are vain' which may be re-
qaired by the successful spy. But he is
NOW keeping an eye on things at home.
Every citizen, as well as stranger, is now
registered and carries his Identification
card in his pocket. This registration OF
citizens is believed to be in preparation OF
CONSUMPTION = which will come il the wars
last long. But the government is timld
fears the people, fears internal trouble, il
not serious revolution, in case OF con-
scription being applied or attempted.
In times OF external peace the British
government has been too easy, too lenient
towards internal violence in continuous
riotous strikes, until the abble had come
to believe that its will and actions were
tire law. In times Of transportation stop
page by violence there has been no Grover
Cleveland there to say s'the mails shall
go", and to send an army to see to it.
Unlawful violence should be me. by
viruient action Of government in order to
protect misguided people against itself.
The policy Of the freedom and case OF
the people, carried to excess, becomes q
government fault.
The upper and middle classes Of the
EnUitah hsDh ~
peoples Of the earth; the lower, the drink
ing class, are among the lowest that
nation may be burdened with. It has
been asserted that half the earnings Of the
lowest class 60 for family drink, and the
man himself does not drink 1t all.
Nothing admirable can Be looked for to
come from such conditions. But it 10
true that certain powers among the upper
class (not to say 'sbettern ciass) are some
what responsible for the habits OF the
lower. They oppose Temperance measures
because they oca the bresceries.
Some thirty odd years ago knew Eng
land better than Maine, and l do not
see that the human equation has changed
| much since then. The men Of business
etC eoAnAe JIG Seuoteuy cAu urmb, Win
far greater regard Of reputation than for
any unworthy gains. have never sailed
away from that county without lively
feelings Of personal admiration at heart,
and also with impatient feelings OF dis
gust for the other kind. The latter feel
ing, perhaps, shows . lack of proper
Christian charity.
In my calling one sees much OF the
lower orders. Around the docks the
vilest do most congregate = looking for
work with . weak eye and for Q drink
with sharper one = with the lip OF the
beggar and the impotence of the vicious.
Regarding the war, one does not see in
England much Of its effects, save the pas
sing Of men in costume Of war, and in
creasing numbers Of weary looking
women in the costume Of grief. be-
lieve ii was Thackery who said IA Eng