Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-06-13

kpoWn Maine man, one who has had a
long residence in England and whose
position enabled him to see much of
the conditions in that country and to
consider them in connection with their
flntlmate relations with those Of France
and her other allies. will be of unusual
interest at this time. Just following
the alliance of the United States with
those countries in the greatest war Of
the worlds history. He speaks with an
intimate knowledge and with endless
patriotism and belief in the American
spirit and power, but with a stern sense
of the lessons Of the war up to the
present time. as learned by the Euro
pean countries and repetition of which
he would see avoided so far as his ma =
tive country, America. is concerned
He said:
When wondering what there is that
one can do to help in this war, it isn't
bad idea to remember what the ex-
periences have been in other countries,
and to look ahead and see what life
in this part Of the country will be like
after two years of war.
During the first year of the Great
War. French people who had occasion
to visit England, were surprised, and
in some instances shocked, at the ap-
parently disinterestedness Of the Eng
lish people in the war. All the time
preparations were going forward and
we now know that haste was being
made as quickly as non military
country could arrange such matters.
I "A visitor might almost draw the
same conclusion as the French did.
from a casual glance through this part
Of the country. One cannot see much
Of the work that is being done, beyond
the garden movement. The ordinary
everyday life seems so little interrupted
that it might be mistaken for disinter-
estedness.
Each and every person. is without
a doubt filled with the best of inten-
tions and with every wish to do his
or her bit, but the trouble with most
of them lies in not being able to decide
upon, or find that Bit 1t is thus far
too much thought Of as the Nations
War and not Yours and My individual
war. Our citizens cannot be blamed
for this. 1t has been the same in other
countries where there was no invasion
and therefore no immediate danger.
The landing Of an invading force upon
the coast of Maine would alter matters.
! AS such a contingency is somewhat
remote under present conditions, the
authorities will have to do much OF
the organizing and tell the people what
is required. They will follow, just as
they have followed the suggestions OF
the Red Cross leaders. and have fol-
lowed the food raising ideas. and have
followed the registration Of available
/ men Of the present lawful fighting age
IF each person could be made to
understand just how his or her action
affects the conduct and length OF the
war. the work would be made easier for
the authorities. If instead Of offering
our services and then settling back to
the ordinary ruts Of life until called for
we could alter our modes of living SO
that the living would be help instead
| of a hindrance to the Nation, we would
be doing one share of our Bit.
Now. presuming the calamity how
lers are going too far, and the optlmists
are right in believing there is no dan
| ger Of losing the war, what will be the
effect on our lives right here in Au-
gusta IL :he war is prolonged over
period Of two years or more. as many
people think likely? You know it is
predicted by some, that in case we al
| low the European Allies to meet defeat
we will have to face an INVASION and
that Maine might have to be aban-
doned. But suppose we merely DC
enough to keep the others from defeat
and so starve off any danger OF the war
being brought into our own town!
"Here are some of the things that
have worked out abroad and that will
without doubt follow here as matter
of course. True we raise enough food
and we are larger country but the
surplus food vii: have to- be SEM
abroad to feed our Allies.
I'VE will find ourselves reduced grad
ually to the most rigid economy. lhe
staple articles Of food may not be any
higher If the Government succeeds M
regulating the price, but we VIII De
either placed on our honor to observe
restricted diet or it will be necessary u
reyu,ate the food of each person
Rread. sugar, meat, potatoes and SIM
liar necessities will be scarce. LuXur-
les like cakes. doughnuts and pies VIII
lave to be dispensed with. we VIII
dnd ourselves necessarily living the
simple life This is no dream or pessi- =
mistic forecast, it is following the line
of what has gone on In Europe ano
what we have bound ourselves IN honof
40 do II we follow out our promises 10
the Allies.
Another great reason for this prop
able shortage of foods beside the 1ac'
that we will be exporting to 1eed our
Allies. will lie in the shortage OF labor
AS time goes on the men called up lot
the Army and for the supply OF war
materials and.for the various branches
that support the Arms will greatiy
deplete the working forces, so that anle
bodied men will be scarce. 1t can hard :
lv he so great as in the other war :
ring countries but at the best II Will
be a serious drain upon our workers
Our railways will be over"ofheu
Already we see the effect upon 'hs
railways in the difficulty they are hav'
| ing to move the freight. brought aoou'
by the increased swar demands. Ihese
demands will multiply as time goes on
90 that only necessary goods can DC
4 HI