Friday, August 7
Notices of the Alien Act first passed are posted everywhere, stating
that resident Germans must report themselves at once to the police, under penalty of £100
fine, or six months imprisonment. Germans are being freely arrested as spies, many of them
known to the police...There are about 50,000 Germans in London.
Queen Alexandra has appealed for funds and workers for the Red Cross: we
heard from those connected with the local Kensington organisation, that there are too many
untrained Red Cross helpers already and they will have to divert them onto the Relief
committees and soon. Trained surgical nurses laugh at these helpers learning bandaging,
as bandaging is no longer used except in cases of haemorrhage and there is no time to
bandage elaborately on a battle-field. Many people are lending their houses as hospitals
or convalescent homes for sick and wounded.
Mr. Fox has joined the Special Constable Force and Mr. Coombe is joining.
They think it the best way men over thirty, married and with business can help...
The Government are establishing a Press Bureau, under F.E. Smith, a
Unionist M.P. for the publication of official war news. All the respectable newspapers
refrain from publishing rumours and movements, but some of the others are less patriotic...
Government published prices for sugar, bacon and butter, decided after
consultation with business experts, for today until Monday next. Prices are moderate.
Mineral Waters coming from the Continent will naturally run out.
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