J. B. Jackson, who has been on a two month business trip to England and
Scotland, returned home on Monday, and has many interesting things to say
about conditions there, and the progress of the war.
Mr. Jackson left of July 31, and has visited his son Allan, who is with
the Army Medical Corps from Toronto University, now stationed at
Shorncliffle. Allen has been expecting to return to Toronto, as it was
given out that the fourth year students would be allowed to return for
another year's work at the University, when they would go back as
full-fledged doctors, and take charge of the field hospital work. No
definite orders have been given, however, and it is possible that they may
yet remain some time.
Mr. Jackson arrived at Quebec on Sunday after an uneventful voyage from
Liverpool. He came on the Allan Line SS. Scandinavian, whose passenger
list was complete, and included 105 wounded Canadian soldiers. He became
acquainted with Captain Ackerman of Peterboro, while coming over, and
heard a good deal about the trench warfare in Flanders.
Mr. Jackson says that at Shorncliffe the place is policed entirely by
Canadians, and there are about 35,000 soldiers there. Dr. Buck of Port
Rowan has charge of a field hospital, and is acquitting himself with honor
in this hazardous position.
One significant statement made by Mr. Jackson was to the effect that
the general feeling in Great Britain at the present time is that even
should Russia and France collapse, of which there is not the slightest
thought, the British would now be able to finish the job herself.
While in Scotland Mr. Jackson took a trip up the Clyde, and declares
that the shipbuilding sights are something at which to marvel. It will not
be against the restrictions of the censor to say that he saw actually
hundreds of sea-fighting vessels being built -- vessels of all types.
Another bit of information that gives confidence is the general belief
in England that the admiralty is capturing great numbers of German
submarines and that the menace is lessening.
Business, says Mr. Jackson, is much better in England than it is here.
Everybody is working, wages are high and prices are good. There is great
congestion of freight at the docks and railway centres because of the lack
of labor.
Zeppelin raids on London create a good deal of interest, as is natural,
but not much fear, and certainly no hysteria. Mr. Jackson did not happen
to be in London on the occasion of one of these raids, but was there the
following day. When bombs hit on the street or where they are confined,
that make great havoc, but when they strike on a roof the damage is not
great, except just to the roof, as the bomb explodes as soon as it
strikes. Buckingham Palace is covered with wire netting to prevent damage
to the royal household.
All London is armed against air raids, guns being placed on tall
buildings all over the city. Great searchlights are also used to locate
the airships, and blinds must be drawn as soon as the gas is lighted. The
rules are very strict, and Mr. Jackson knew of a couple of heavy fines
imposed on hotels for not drawing their curtains.
The Canadians come in for a lot of praise in England for the way they
have stood up in battle and the ready response of Canada has made her as
place in the motherland.
Mr. Jackson's trip was successful from a business standpoint, and an
hour's talk with him will do much to reassure someone who is at all
downhearted over the progress of the war.
