Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-12-22
n Time for Watchfufness.

The journal, in accordance Win d
custom adopted by many newspapers
OF the country, is giving frequent pub
li,ation to the warning OF the Amerl-
can Defense Socicty-a warning that
K, W.. first given by Editor Rathom of
the Providence Journal, whose amaz-
ing revelations of German under
ground methods in this country has
startled the world. 1t is a time when
every American should be not only
suspicious of every act of an unknown
person, but should be watchful and
doubly careful in guarding his prop
prty and his life, reporting promptly
e., police or court officials any mys-
terious performances, or any person
from the path of strict American sup
port Of the war and the purposes Of
human welfare and progress. For
this is not only a time of plots and
devilish didoes by German sympathiz-
ers, but by other persons Of evil dis
position who are taking advantage of
the opportunity thus afforded to square
old scores, with the probability that
their acts will be laid to German SYM
pathizers.
OF course it is hard for the average
American resident of town or country
n|1- x-nr
met capable of doing some of the evil
deeds that are snow being recorded
daily in all parts of the country. Ma
tional and state departments of gov
ernment, police officials and city and
town fathers are urging more and
more the necessity for watchfulness,
suspicion and utmost care. Buildings
are being destroyed by fire of mysteri
Gus origin. Livestock are being fed
disease germs, and wells are being
poisoned. Indeed, it is time when
the average householder should
promptly challenge every person who
comes about, to make his business
known and known promptly, or be
handed over to the police. We have
places for detention OF any person
who cannot give wholly reasonable
explanation of errand and conduct at
any time Of day or night. Let us see
that they do it. If suspicious charac
ters are hanging about, it is the duty
of every citizen to see to it that they
are reported to the police, and are
made to give explanation.
Again, it is the duty of citizens to
see to it that they do not indulge in
any performance that would create
suspicion in the minds of others.
districts to call where they are well
known and prowl about the premises
Of another, inspecting crops or looking
over livestock. and go away without
reporting their business to anyone,
unless met by some member of the
family. Such an incident was per-
haps witnessed in Farmingdale on
Thursday. An elderly lady, happen
ing to look out of the window, saw a
team stop in front of the residence.
A man got out walked deliberately up
to the carriage house and entered
From the carriage house he went
through into the barn, and few mo-
ments later came out and drove away.
He was a stranger His team was not
recognized, and the family have no
other clue to his insoent visit II his
motive was not evil. then he was un-
thinking or lacking in grey matter to
commit such a performance at this
time. He should have been met by
plll dog or shot gun, and it is hoped
tnat this will come to his attention
II his visit was entirely friendly and
suggest to him that in future when he
has any business at a farm house that
he should call at the house and make
it known, instead of prowling around
the outbuildings. He was perhaps a
buyer of stock, and looking for possi-
BILE bargains. but he took a silly way
OF going about it. when the present
tension of the public is considered.