American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-08-13
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THE BRITISH FLEET.
By Z. 6. PIPP
Copyright, 1919


Off to the north of London is a part
Of the British fleet. a minor part, we
are told. Light cruisers they are in
name-great masses of steel, built and
manned for lighting in reality.
There they lie at anchor, like dogs
chained in restraint. ready TO be let
loose at a moments notice. n Won
ders that there ever was so much float
ing steel and power and so many guns
in the world. One does not wonder
that the German navy stays tied in
Kiel. afraid to come out, and n
breathes thanks for America that the
British navy not only stands as a pro-
lection for Britain's shores against an
invader that now knows no law or
rule of decent warfare, but also to
lombard any city which it can bring
within range of its guns.
Count the cruisers, one does. There
is an understanding, however. that
figures shall not be published, but let
every American breathe easier for
that part of the navy, and let each Of
US, when inclined to think hat we are
placing Great Britain under certain
obligations to US in sending troops
over to help in the fight, remember
that we are under lasting obligations
TO Great Britain for the protection she
has afforded us with her fleet, ever on
the watch in the North Sea.
But the light cruiser squadron is
not all. by any means. Farther to the
north is reached another and greater
part Of the North Sea fleet. Battle
ships, they are. Veterans of the Jut-
land and of the Dardanelles are there.
Luncheon was served on u that
came out of the Jutland fight with
wounds, but it was not beyond repair.
Powerful and great and LEI with 9TH
ers, the pride of the British navy is
there-the greatest Uattleship afloat.
To the left the floating fighters are
seen. in great numbers and tonnage
beyond comprehension. To the right
are more battleships. Farther and
farther. and still beyond in the mist
are seen the forms of more hulls. more
stacks, more protectors of u shores
and theirs.
If the Germans would only stay and
fight; if they only wouldn't run, said
Durobeck, veteran admiral of the Oar
danelles, modest of mien. as he put to
sea with his squadron TO take up the
watch for his land and ours.
Boys in the Trenches.
A company of British infantry that
l saw marching away to the trenches
was made up of boys just turning ~
years. England takes in the boys al
Is, trains them a year and then sends
them to the front. With the coming
Of American troops there was an agl-
tation in England to send the 1S-year-
old boys to the trenches with six
months training instead Of waiting a
full year.
Three companies, seen marching
along the Strand for the front, were
made up of men from 80 to 40 years
old. All over England n notices the
absence of young men, of men under
Al and boys over Is. They are either
at the front or in training.
1t seemed to me that America would
have to send at least 10000, 900 to the
front before our manhood would be
combed as fine as it is combed in
England.
Playing Fair With Food.
When we in America deny ourselves
that our allies may have, we can be
sure that the sacrifice is appreciated
and that England in no way takes ad-
vantage of what we do.
Very strict laws have been passed
for conserving food over there and