WAR MEASURES IN AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 1, 26 September 1917, Page 6

WAR MEASURES IN AMERICA

NEW ZEALANDER'S OBSERVATIONS CROSSING THE ATLANTIC - " Mr. J. B. Clarkson, of Wellington, who has recently returned from England, via America, talks interestingly oi Tiffugs seen on route. Ho left here for England in April. < "On my arrival in America," ho s-oys, "I was very interested in what tley were doing in the way oi war preparation. Small cottagers and business people were making preparation to siTpjrtj themselves with vegetables, m order to keep down tlie cost of living. The registration had been jusu completed. It showed 9,000,000 men between tho ages of 21 years and 31 years. The people anticipated no difficulty in carrying out conscription. Already those partial to German influence were being watclnv very closely, and the yolice were giving special attention to German and Austrian gatherings. In New York it was found somewhat difficult to secure a. passaga for England, but after some delay this was arranged. In one of the skipping company's office's we were shown n life-preserving suit which' we were very interested in, as there was a submarine scare in New York. This suit makes travel perfectly safe. One can put it on in from forty to fifty seconds (over ordinary clothing if necessary), and can withstand the cold and keep afloat for day*. ' "The liner in which we crossed the Atlantic was equipped with a, six-inch gun, and there was regular gun practice. ■ Every day there' was boat, drill, during which passengers equipped themselves with lifebelts,, and took their places on the deck. Although this boat could carry 500 first saloon passengers, she carried only 40 or so. "Nearing tne coast of. Ireland we saw a considerable amount of debris from torpedoed vessels, and saw a cordon of minesweepers in action. In England the munition and aeroplane factories were very busy. The progress made in the munition factories was extraordinary. To-day they -could supply the 6.500,000 British meii in the field, and also supply some to the Allies. • '•The American liner in which we crossed! the Atlantic on our Teturn trip left Liverpool at something cer 20 knots per hour, .and took a zig-rag course for a time, and was constantly in touch with other merchantmen and cruisers. There were never less ihan forty men on watch, and the ship was equipped with four 4-inch guns and one 6-inch gun, and there were about fifty men in the capacity of gunners and assistants. 'I his boat, oh her inward trip to Liverpool, had been attacked by a submarine, which fired thirty to forty rounds. The American liner fired forty to fifty shots in reply. The firing concluded without definite result to either side. The only .incident on this trip was the firing by mistake of one of the tinch guns at 10.30 one night. All hands got into lifebults, and there was a little excitement. There were only twenty-four passengers; the vessel could hold <(00 in the saloon. Elaborate, precautions are taken to protect life and property on the 'rip over the Atlantic. The Americans speak very hopefully of what Edison may evolve soon to combat submarines.

"Coming back through America it wis noticeable what a large number of men there wore- in uniform, nnd what menfiures they were takinj to piny their part in Hip world stru/rtrle. They are now -providim? monov, munitions/ neroplanes. nutl men;' nnd nre determined to pot. fl,p <yar through to a successful conclusion."