Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1917-03-30
RICHMOND IN TURMOIL
OVER PROSPECT OF WAR
City is Full of Secret Service OPP
eratives, and All PRECAUTIONS
Taken to Prevent Damage by
Enemies Of United States.
Especial Correspondence J

Especial Correspondence
Richmond, Va, March 29.-Amer-
ica seems to be coming into her own
ut last, if outward appearances are to
count for anything and if sentiment
in Richmond is taken MS n criterion
Last Sunday night when the State
troops were ordered under war orders
and were placed on guard duty to
patrol the streets, bridges and pub
lie buildings, the last straw seemed To
have been added to the already heavy
load, and the tide broke. Few homes
are there in the entire city where the
stars and stripes have not been the
most conspicuous ornament for weeks
and the moment soldiers with loaded
guns and business-like cartridge belts
stepped into the streets, the atmos-
phere changed into brisk, tingling
breeze of patriotism.
Expectancy is the one word that is
most applicable to Richmond just Mt
this time. This week the city was
startled by the floating OF scores of
rurnors aiming to show that certain
Germans living here in the highest
esteem of the best people are turn
ing on Uncle Sam and are plotting
against the government. Almost Il
trainload of secret service men were
shipped in from Washington, and it is
said that scarcely German citizen
IN the city has escaped being closely
watched. Numerous fist fights arise
every day out of over-heated argu-
ments i'll regard to the war situation,
and one Of the leading Teutons of the
State was knocked down the other
day by prominent merchant when
the former remarked unplensantly up
on the rights of Americans who
choose to attempt an ocean voyage Mt
this time.
There is n soldier at every turn.
Hundreds of people are turned away
from the state capitol each day, and
it is dangerous to act In least bit
Sispiciousy on any occasion. 1t has
grown into such Il strain that pcrs-
sons discuss the war situation now
usually in undertones, for all real
ize the gravity of the situation and
the embarrassment that will follow
the slightest reflection Mt this time
on American rights or principles.
War is occupying the entire center
of thought, and preparations for the
impending conflict, whether it be on
land OF sea. arc being carried for
ward at the greatest speed
Germans Leaving City.
Rumors have it that many Ger
mans are leaving the city for some
unknown destination. Some claim
there is being formed an army of
Germans in Mexico, and that those
most loyal to the Fatherland are hic-
ing themselves to the Villa land for
protection, if nothing else. This city
is awaiting almost breathlessly the
action of Congress next week, and al
though it is generally undcpstood
that war will inevitably be declared,
there is still the hope that some more
pleasant developments may result. 1t
is conceded that as soon as war is
officially declared every public build
ing, bridges. and every railroad en-
tering the city, as well as in the coun-
try generally, is thrown into imme-
diatc danger, and each day guards
are being increased. The locomotive
works here, where thousands Of shells
are made each day for the work of
murder across the seas, is literally
covered with khaki-clad boys, pacing
back and forth watchfully, cautious
ly. expecting at any moment to be
called upon to resort to the power
they have to stop n riot or prevent
destruction of property The city il
full Of U. S. army officers, ready at
any moment to take charge of such
departments of the service the army
headquarters may direct. All thoughts
are of war. The air is full Of it.
President Taft in the City.
= Speaking before an audience Of
many thousands of people that had
stood in line for several hours in
order to come within earshot, Ex-
President Taft presented to Rich
mond last Saturday the proposition
of compulsory military training fol-
all Americans. He represented the
League to Enforce Peace, and Rich
mond was included in tour he is
making of the larger cities of the