The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-09-25
Halifax and the War
BY FRED L. VANDERBILT.

VI Wdll1HS, sent the author OF LnlS
letter to see the maritime provinces OF
Canada; this and the great tides OF
the Bay of Fundy which lies between
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick A
generation ago, there used to be an
illustrated school geography, which,
in that period, as all other studies, If
the headmaster understood his job,
pupils learned with lasting remem-
brance. In that geography, the chap
ter devoted to Nova Scotia contained
a picture of the harbor of Halifax; a
settlement of inhospitable aspect on
shore, and, climbing the wharf, pro-
cession of forlorn and homesick
Tories There also was a chapter de-
voted to New Brunswick, the principal
picture representing pig running for
dear life to keep out of the way of
the tide which was advancing in the
Bay of Fundy, in front of the city of
Halifax might have worn an inhos-
pitable front when the Tories landed,
forlorn and homesick; but, conf
dentially, the tides of the bay, al
front of ST. John, behave very decent
ly; giving pig, even wooden-legged
man, ample time to get out of the
way, and hours to spare.
Halifax was founded $50 years ago,
and now is city of $4,000 inhabitants.
1t is a military and naval base while
the war lasts, and always one or the
important maritime ports of the world
A port on the main-traveled lane be-
tween American ports and Europe,
numerous shipowners are established
here; one generation handing down to
another. By lines of steamships. the
city trades with English and Mediter-
ranean ports; with scandinavian ports;
with the Bermudas and the West
Indies, and with Boston and New
York. The city also has an important
trade by sea with New Foundland,
~ II 4 Teyl0
John, Quebec. and Montreal. In the
winter, Halifax divides with st. John
ocean trade which is shut out of the
st. Lawrence river by ice.
Halifax was named after the ancient
English city of Halifax. In the orig
inal settlement of the American Hall
fax, the English Halifax contributed
families; so the two cities may claim
kinship. Halifax on the other side is
one of the oldest cities of England,
and Halifax on this claims like pres
tige in Canada. So the capital of
Nova Scotia, by her wealth, enter
prise, industry, and responsibility,
strongly is entrenched in her relations
with the outside world; responsibility
of years as we'll as of commercial in
tegrity. For Halifax, while welcoming
the new, holds fast to the past. The
community is English more than any
other of Canada; excepting, possibly,
on the Pacific Coast, and
the English quarter of Quebec.
No province of the Dominion is
more loyal to king and country than is
Nova Scotia, and no other is recruiting
so many soldiers for the war oversee.
this is not because the war
spirit runs higher in Nova Scotia, for
all Canada is full of it; but because
Halifax is a military and naval base,
and soldiers and sailors, in uniform,
set the example. Recruits also pass
from other provinces, remain
ing a week or more, on their way to
to be made into fighting
machines. Inspired by these in
fluences, many sons of Halifax and
communities are enlisttng.
For, soldering remote from the the
alter of war possesses the quality OF
good time" especially if squads and
companies, spic and span, are march
ing and countermarching, or singles
troops of girls, in view of
prospective recruits. All these in
fluences are combined in Halifax, and
town boys and country boys alike sur
render to them.
Local newspapers are full of the war
and the duty of young men to join the
colors. One paper contains pages of
it daily, running little rows of metal
soldiers carrying guns in the midst OF
text. Sometimes the foreman stands
the soldiers on their heads, but this
only gives the boys something extra
to talk about, and enlistments go on.
While waiting to be sent to Valcar-
tier, or to actual war if ready to go,
ions of camp discipline, have the free
dom of the city Traffic even gives
them the right of way of the streets
for drill. They pay their way, no
more than others, but in hotels, thea
-ers, parks, or street cars, wherever
hey go, the rule is soldiers first"
every recruit has sweet
heart, and marriages, of new soldiers
are reported daily
Officers and men alike receive
'swagger sticks upon enlistment, and
armed with these they go about town.
A swagger stick is a bit of bamboo,
perhaps twenty-four inches long,
which keeps the right hand busy and
L soldier to carry hand in pocket, and
the swagger stick is a reminder. An
other order forbids shaving the upper
lip, and so the tutty-frutty tuft COM
monty worn under the nose by young
men, lately, is impossible. However,
the reason of this rule is not because
he regulations object to the tutty-
frutty tuft, but because shaving the
upper lip, if often done, affects the
optic nerves. The regulations also re-
Iuire soldiers to have their teeth
treated regularly. and dentists are a
part Of the service.
The women are a forceful factor in
aid of the recruiting service. They are
1oing more, if possible, than the news
papers. The ferocity of the war and
the proba bility of death, or appalling
injury, cause even the impetuous
blood of youth to hesitate, and here is
where the women get in: Mothers ap-
pealing for liking and country" and
he girls boycotting. Meeting a great
husky boy, the writer asked him:
Ever think of going to WARP
Guess I'll have to-, he replied
tsYnII foo handsome bow to
get into this awful war.
.Oh, that makes no difference" he
said, appropriating the compliment
without question.
How old are you"
Seventeen"
"Oh Won are too young for war;"