THE NATION AT WAR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 276, 4 September 1939, Page 5

THE NATION AT WAR.

BALLOON BARRAGE ROUND LONDON. FAMILIES EVACUATE IN ORDER. 1 V " ‘ 1 LONDON, September 2. Britain already bears every appearance of a nation at war, a state into which it seemed almost imperceptibly to transform itself. The black-out scenes yesterday brought 1 home the gravity of the situation. The : main stations were ghostly under dim, !, blue lights. There were scenes of in- : tense activity, with khaki-clad men and women everywhere, and families leaving » London carrying much luggage. Yet there was not the least confusion, even though the trains were unlighted. Schedules were maintained, and travellers queued normally. Sand-bagging which, during the week proceeded unhurriedly and methodically, to-day took a fresh impetus. Another fresh sign is stecl-helmeted police carrying gas-masks like haversacks. Perhaps the most striking spectacle is the balloon barrage, resembling a vast flock of huge grey birds in the heavens. At frequent intervals signs in all parts of London point out shelters. Proclamations are also pasted on walls. Meanwhile the evacuation is proceeding without a hitch, with long lines of children at stations and hundreds of buses streaming out to the country and seaside. To-day the evacuation began of cripples, the blind, and also expectant mothers. Nearly 300,000 children were evacuated from London yesterday. The entrance of the German Embassy is bolted and barred to all callers. An official stated that he was not sure if the staff was leaving, as no instructions had been received from Berlin. Downing Street was quiet, and thero were few spectators*