The Alaska daily empire., 1915-08-17

was not going to stand for tbat kind of a rough house. Which involved Austria, Serbia aud Russia and Che latter's ally France, in tho war on Aug ust 1st. England at that time was quite content to look on, in fact. did look on quite unprepared until Ger many forced our hands by invading and sacking Belgium Our fleet was not ready, our soldiers consisted ofl a handful of men. 25O,O0O, in fact. and 1t took us until August 18th before we could land our first troops in France, although we declared war on tho 4thl
 However, everything probably was for the best for England's future, for without us France would have been on her knees and Russia's hash would have been on the point of being set tied And then one need not be of a very shrewd diplomatist to guess where this ambitious German nation, flushed with voctory. would have cast her unfriendly eyes it would probably have been "all up" with us. Remem- Der. Germany did the same in lS66' lulled Frances suspicious and persuad- ed it to keep out of the quarrel with Austria. When Austria was humbled, she sprang upon unready France. His tory would have repeated itself and l do not think that anyone, friend or foe. would upbraid Britain for flying up in arms. However, as l said be- fore. why should everyone in Europe be plunged into war for a Bohunk na- ton like Serbia. Why when they murdered their own King and Queen at night while they slept It was England who withdrew their represen- tative, saying that such a nation of cowardly murderers should have no consideration as a power at al and for years Serbia was unrepresented and without English representative. To think that a few black coated, old and comfortable gentlemen, sitting in easy chairs before a green baize table could for such rotten provocation make millions of widows and orphans, that is what rifles me. Although. I'd give my life and everything to defend my country (and I've nearly proven that now she is at war.
 Apart from all this, I've no particu- lar grude against the Germans or any nation with which England may be willingly or unwilling thrown at war. Of course. do not approve of the methods of fighting of the Germans, not a bit: but then probably the Eng fish have been trained for ages back to fight cleanly.
 I am very sorry indeed to be forced to be here idle, while my pals are grad ually being wiped off the earth. Inci- dentally. covering my regiment, the 18th Canadian-Scotts. with glory. Not that I particularly want the death of few more Germans on my hands, but from a feeling of wanting to share the same responsibilities and the same dangers as the others who came out with me. General French was good enough to report officially that the great rush of the 18th Canadian and the recapture of the great guns that were lost in the first surprise of the new danger-the gas-and that the consequent stand of the Canadians saved the whole British situation in that battle of Ypres on April 22-2S. Poor fellows. out of our nice good looking bunch of 1900 only 26O about are left. Of course, should be thank ful not to be lying in some grave in FIanders.-lets close this argument.
 How are the boys getting along? Tomorrow is the 4th. I suppose youn be going to see the double-header match. Remember how l used to bet on the games and how I won some thing big and had dinner with you at what's his names new dining room?
 'Let me hear from you again, dol Pal, and let me know how the games stand.
 'T must close now, for I am tired and my handwriting becomes illegi- ble with nervous tremblings which l always get when I'm tired these days.
 with a hearty handshake,
 "Ever Your old Best Pal,
 DUKE"