AN AMERICAN HOLIDAY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13749, 11 September 1908, Page 8

AN AMERICAN HOLIDAY.

CELEBRATED WITH BLOODSHED. HUNDREDS OF FIREWORKS ACCIDENTS. Despite the fact ihat over fifty people were killed and over 1000 wounded in the Fourth of July celebrations in America this yeai*, correspondents describe the festivities as less ecstatic than usual. "It was no such glorious and gory Fourth of July as some 1 have descrbed," says the London Daily Telegraph's correspondent, "but it was bad enough in all conscience, and emphasises the growing national demand tor a celebration of a more rational Character." These figures do not represent the full "butcher's bill" involved by the celebrating of the day "when we turned the English out of America," because many of the wounds caused by explosions entail lockjaw, and this dread malady does not appear immediately. The Daily Telegraph's correspondent estimated that the deaths would eventually amount to over 100. . It is said that most enlightened Americans regret this crazy way of rejoicing, but the authorities hesitate to act beyond issuing instructions how to. treat the wounds. For instance, "everyone is informed that wounds caused by gunpowder must be opened and washed with a solution of carbolic acid to prevent tetanus, and that this must be done "even if great pain is caused and the child cries bitterly." The correspondent' of The Times reperts that Independence Day is regarded by young surgeons as affording valuable experience in the treatment of gunshot wounds, burns, and lacerations. It is also stated that "the heroic practice of firing loaded revolvers from windows and occasionally hitting wayfarers or even passengers in passing trains is gradually disappearing." The wisest plan would seem to be to stay indoors on the Fourth. But there would still be the danger of fire. Damage amounting to the trifling sum of £30,000 was done this year by fires caused by fireworks. /

American newspapers deplore the loss of life,and limb. The Ne,w York World, in pleading for the abolition of "the carnival of crash and carnage, " remarks that, despite national excitement about hydrophobia, Fourth of July recklessness causes more deaths in America from lockjavp in one year than result from rabies in half _ a dozen years, and the New York American, arguing in' the same strain, says "instead of blowing up children, .let us apply a remedy to the evils of the corruption, oppression, plunder, and poverty which menace the American Republic." But, anyone who takes the lead in promoting legilsation to check the evil runs, the risk of being called a "little American" — hence ihe .general reluctance to move in the matter.'