Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-01
GERMAN AIR RAIDS
STRENGTHEN BRITISH
SAYS DR.. ". 7.

Lewiston. Me, Oct. 31.-Dr W. T.
Foster. former instructor at Bates Col
lece and Bowdoin and we'll remember
ed in Lewiston recently arrived at an
Atlantic port and is now en- route to
Portland. He tells this thrilling story
OF a night raid in London-a story
which will be read with interest by
his many former friends:
lou have. no doubt, had dispa tches
concerning the moonlight raids of Ger
man flyers during the past few days.
You wondered, suppose, how Lon
don would bear up under the strain.
! wondered. too. and took occasion to
share the experiences with different
groups in different parts of the city.
zone night | was in Il crowded ho-
tel; one night in the underground rail
way stations; another night in the
atrc: another night on the streets and
still another night at private din
nor party. | missed one raid when |
WAS al Cambridge. with the crowd on
the common. watching the myriad of
star-shells that illuminated tho London
sky like the fireworks of an old-time
American Fourth of July.
Noises Nerve Wrackino
"The noises Of q raid are not sootb-
ln2 10 the nerves, the inccssany crack
ing Of the aircraft guns puncturcd
b! the heavy explosions Of the enc
my bombs. the occasional wnir Of an
engine overhead and the rafting of
shIapnc' on the roofs and streets. On
my Wh> to London ! was shown where
! 20 cn
by single bomb. | thought of that
bomb when. during my first EVENING
IN London. heard the explosions com
ing nearer and nearer. and especially
when bomb burst. as | thought, in
the ucHt ROOM
tn" major with whom | was talk;
ing aftcr-dinner coffee. arose and
placed the cups on the other side of
the room.
They ny friGhtfuliy, YOU know"
he remarked
Not entirely treasured by his
'h"uSht'u!ness, ! suggested going out
TO inspect the ruins Of our hotel. One
pane or glass was broken. The bomb
Lao ta'Ien in the PARK between us and
lhe King palace. 1t had made a hole
III tfc lawn 10 feet deep and 20 feet
VIDE 1t had cut down trees in all di-
l'cll'hS ana pierced holes in sheet
IRON Il hundred yards away Two 9TH
q bombs had fallen in the Thames
others had found their prey. mainly
women children and old men in thu
poorer districts.
DufIn@ the next IL DAYS 7 saw
n' Es all over London prying pieces OF
s'i aphei OUT OF the wooden pave
mehts. and at night ] watched tn.
People or London with admira ton.
thousands sought shelter in the tubes
pEt with more restraint and consider
nor foI their neighbors than is shawn
~ an ordinary rush hour crowd in a
Ne" York subway. One night after
inc warning had been given and the
streets were nearly deserted. 7 watch.
ed the girl conductors of tho moto-
buses go on with the nights work.
certainly. If judged the spirit of
me people Alright. this wanton murder
OF women and children in English
towns and cities is another proof of
The failure of the German government
70 understand any psychology but that
OF their own minds. Each new riot of
1rigftfulness appears only to strength
en- the resolve of the British IN .stick
it TO victory
beheNe Britain was never moro
confident of victory than TODAY The
past month has been the best for the
Allies since the war began. No month
mas shown so small a loss of ships md
SO large loss Of submarines. Further
more no month has brought so on
couraging a report of shipbuildinp in
the British Isles. 1t is now estimated
that 1917 will produce 15s4,Oo0 tors
about three times the tonnage con-
structed in 1915. The food supply ia
greater than that of year ago.
Submarines Also Fail
The submarine piracy, as a means
OF starving England, is failure That
Is what hear fromaLloyd George. and
IT is in accordance with my own OBJ
servations wherever / have been.
Furthermore. I have reason to be-
iieve that the German government NOW
knows its wild adventure is about over