Semi-weekly herald., 1915-06-07

ENGLAND DOES NOT
REALIZE HER PERIL
PATRIOTISM LACKING
Appeals for Recruits Fail to Move
the Middle Classes-Labor Problems
and Liquor Issue Serious Obstacles.
Philadelphia North American: Fer
nine full months the resources of the
empire in men and ships and money
have been taxed to help resist the
mightiest military force the world has
ever seen. British troops have been
slain by thousands. British mer-
chantmen have been sunk within
sight of the nations proudcst har-
bors, towns within thirty miles of
London have been bombarded.
Yet reports indicate that there is no
adequate realization of the threat Of
absolute destruction that hangs over
the nation. Tory politicians scheme 70
discredit the party in power, and far
nish the German press with columns
of news about partisan dissensions.
Businesse men and financicrs devote
themselves to money hunting Labor
is more insistent upon its demands
than in times of peace. So inveterate
is the spirit of selfishness that pro-
posal to stop the sale of intoxicants
during the war, because of their de-
moralizing effects, threatens to over
turn the government.
Peril Not Realized.
Despite the great deeds of the army
and navy and the resolute efficiency
of the national leaders, the general
impression derived from the attitude
of the British public is one of sloth,
indulgence and self-seeking contro-
troversy. In time of the gravest
national peril less attention is given
to the problems of defense than I'd
insistence upon individual rights and
personal liberty.
All the world admired the MASTER
full way in which Great Britain mo-
bilized her great navy and her ire
mendous resources in money. She has
been able to keep command of the
sea, to build huge army and to fl
nance her own operations and those
of her allies. But she has not been
able to summon forth the spirit of
unity and self-sacrificing patriotism
demanded by the terrific ordeal thru
which she is to pass.
The lack was apparent in the early
days of recruiting. There was fine
response from the ranks of aristo-
cracy and of labor, but the most ex-
traordinary appeals failed to move
what is known as the "mddIe class"
of the population. In the darkest
days of the campaign in France the
public refused even to suspend the
professional football games and
crowds numbering between 10000
to 10000 at these contests were can
vassed without producing a half doz-
en- recruits.
Labor Troubles.
Some of the labor organizations
have taken advantage of the nations
necessities to force new demands and
even to threaten strikes that would
disastrously reduce production, and
extra wages have made many of the
workers so Indifferent that they re-
fuse 20 work even full time, and in
consequence war work is being dan
gerously delayed
1t is worth noting, however, that
the bitterest criticism of the work
men for demanding higher wages
comes from tory politicians, who are
doing their worst to extort political
advantage from the crisis by plotting
against the government.
But the most ominous incident of
all has been the tumult over the Ii
quor question. 1t is unnecessary to
repeat the official declaration of Dav-
id Lloyd-George, that drink is do
ing England more damage than all
the German submarines" or the
statements presented by shipbuilders
showing the deplorabe conditions in
their trade. The whole story is out
lined in these findings of military and
naval experts, published few DAYS
ago in white paper:
Labor conditions on the CLYDE
are most disquieting. Repairs
to destroyers are delayed in ev-
cry case and take twice as long
as they need to.-Vice Admiral
Jellicoe.
While the country is at war,
the men are doing less work than
would he rapnrded oe m o.l;