The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-06-15
ALL or ENGLAND's COAST
PATR0LLED DAY AND NIGHT
Ceaseless Vigil Kept TO Prevent Inva-
sion Of Enemy.

Headquarters Of British Home De
fense Armies, England, June 2.-tCorres-
pondencel-Since the beginning Of the
war the coasts Of the United Kingdom
have been guarded by the British bicycle
militia or "cyclist patrol" and today
the cyclists still are on guard against
German invasion. But the golden op-
portunity for a German assault in force
upon Britain's shores has now passed.
No longer do a few cyclists stand guard
alone over important landing places. as
they did for many days after war was
declared.
THE danger Of invasion appeared
very great TO us in those days" said
the commander Of one Of the cyclists
battalions the other day. We had TO
nut forth the most colossal efforts TO
get our defense organization up TO ade-
quate pitch.
Hopeless Now.
IF the German regarded an invasion
Of England as a fearsome task then,
he must regard it as hopeless now.
Where we formerly had only a small
detachment OF cyclist troops 10 guard
possible landing place, there are now
thousands Of trained soldiers living in
huts or billets close to hand, with guns.
trenches and dugouts all along the
sand dunes, and plenty Of support also
from aeroplanes, observation balloons
submarines and coast defense vessels
In 1914 the German invader would
have been opposed largely by half'train-
ed troops straight from workshops and
offices, while today he would have to
meet men the equal in physique and
fighting ability of anything the world
has ever seen"
The actual work Of protecting landing
places has long since been taken out
OF tie hands Of the cyclist battalions.
who have become more purely coast
patrol. Their duties nowadays occa-
sionally are varied by the capture OF
various objects Of interest washed up ~
the tide. such as mines. bodies wreck
age. and lifebuoys The mines are de-
stroyed by guncotton. affording few
moments Of pleasant excitement for th'
patrol.
When Ship Is Sighted.
On dark night. the patrols frequent
lv encounter small ships which have
gone on sand bars owing 10 the lack OF
guiding land lights. A patrol must TAX
every precaution against some enemy
ruse in such a case. AS soon as wor.
Is received that ship is approaching
the shore. a force OF reserves is sum
moned and takes up defensive pos
ton with machine guns. Then board
ing party IS sent aboard the vessel q
examine her and make a report. Evei
il there is nothing suspicious about III
vessel a guard is left aboard to proven
anyone coming ashore or possibly con
municating with hostile agents on shor'
The coast patrols are on duty o
> practically every mile Of British coas
night and day. A cyclist patrol is us'
' lally on his beat for three hours, return
e fling to quarters for a rest period whic
e is followed by the days routine
= physical training. musketry practic
I bayonet practice. and maneuvers sim
lar 10 that followed in regular infantr
r camps.
r. Most OF the cyclist forces hope OF
e day to be called across the chenn'
b. The day for which they look is the tin
-e when a great mobile force viii be
II quired in Belgium and Germany to pu
&c sue a retreating and demoralized enem