American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1916-03-04
MERLIN SOUTHW|CK
TELLS OF ENGLAND
Returns Home After Being In War
Zone for Nearly Thirty Months rs
Secretary Of European Mission.


Merlin Southwick returned Sunday
from his Mission to England lie left
Lehi September II, 1913. lie was
first assigned TO Burnley In the Liver
pool Conference, and after 4 months
was made Conference secretary with
headquarters at Blackburn. lie fill
cd this position for 6 months and was
then transferred TO Liverpool. where
he served as emigration clerk for the
church. and was then made secretary
for the European Mission, which posi-
ton he held at the time OF his release
early last month. He enjoyed his
mission very much and return cd home
IN good health.
Mr.. Southwlck talks ontertainingly
OF conditions In England. The people
are just waking up 10 the seriousness
OF the war. At first they treated II
lightly. but the dropping of bombs
from flying Zepplins and the return OF
crippled soldiers with stories Of slain
comrades Is beginning to make the
people feel what the war really mcnis
But even yet. the people seem to have.
no fear OF any German invasion, az
they have perfect confidence Of their
war ships and Tommy Atkins to pro-
tect their country from outside harm.
Food prices are gradually climbing
skyward. but the people themselves
nave not suffered greatly IN the past.
rs there seems to be plenty OF work
for everybody and nj good we gcs. The
women have more work and nj better
wages than ever before. They. to n
great extent are supplanting the men
In different positions All street car
conductors are now women. and they
are Rapidly filling the clerk hips In
the Offices. They take tickets at the
gates In railway stations, and are
largely employed in the many muni-
ton factories throughout tho King
dom. The married women whose hus-
bands are at the front get IN allow
ance Of s shillings and Q ponce per
week from the government and an
additional 2 and Q pence from the 7
and allowed their husbands. BE-
sides this their children are allowed
certain sums. I'LL OF which hrs ten
dency TO I'll the public houpes with
women. that were formerly filled with
the men now at the front.
Since tho recent air raids by the
Germans in various parts OF England
Liverpool has used no street lights
ut night. and the houses arc all re-
quired TO use drawn window blinds.
The Zepplins dropped bombs on NUM-
ton plants about 30 miles from Liver
pool
The people have become very pat
riotic and probably 90 per cent OF all
eligible men. that II those under the
age OF 40. have enlisted OF attested
for enlistment Very few young men
ara to be seen nowadays In civilian
clothes as they are either In training
camps or at the front, All young I'M
men have been drafted com
pulsory into the war. When man
Is willing TO 20 to the war. he goes
10 the recruiting station and attests
that his services are ready. and then
when his class IL called he IL enroll
ed In the service. His class depends
on age. marriage and the number de-
pendent on him. Those who have at
tested at the recruiting Office and are
ready to be called on when needed
are given an insignia or nrmlet which
Is worn on the coat sleeve. and the
young ladies with their taunts make
life miserable for the man under 40
who does not wear this insignia, And
there is no escape by leaving the
country for the man who won't en-
list, as no one can board ship who
has no passport
There is n system by which the Off
cials know where they can put their
hand on every foreigner at any time
He must register with the police upon
entering q town. and must get per
NIT TO leave, or suffer q heavy fine
In case OF failure. Germans are all
kept In detention camps and their
wives are sent back to Germany. A