SAD TIMES IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2463, 17 May 1915, Page 8

SAD TIMES IN LONDON

SPLENDID FORTITUDE OF THE WOUNDED. Tho head of a London business house, writing to . a friend in Wellington, throws a good deal of light oa the situation in England. Ho says:—_ "It is evident that the true inwardness of tie situation is not grasped in New Zealand. One could hardly imagine from the communications we receive that the Empire is engaged in war and that the issue is a ufe and death ■ one, and there seems to be an entire lack of appreciation of how .profoundly it is influencing our lives here. We here are in direct touch with death and with terrible suffering. I v.'itli most others have suffered the loss, ot relatives and dear friends —the lives of most of us have been profoundly changed. Not since the war opened have my wife and I been to a place of entertainment. The calls on us are urgent and insistent, and cannot bo denied. Most men have cut down their city luncheon to bare needs. One cannot go to the hospitals without being deeply moved. My wifo and 1 are taking some interest in some of tho men, carrying thither such cheer as our purse can afford. It would amaze you to witness the cheerfulness these soldiers in face of Mutilation and to notice the manly modesty with which they speak of it hat they iine gone through. I have seen me'i in the corridors with one leg, hopping about on orutches, engaged ill a game of football. Take an instance: 'Ji.ere i:es in the Military Hospital, Miilnauk, a. young lad, in whom we have It ken some interest. Wounded by shell lire, he was in Bavaria a prisoner, and has been exchanged. He is the only son of a widow, a weaver in Lancashire, who cannot come to see him. I know, but he does not, that his leg has to come off, although he suspects he may iavs to lose his foot. But he is ever cheerful and pleased 'hat he has 'done his bit," constant in piaiie of ,iis officers and of the kindness that h<)s been shown him. All the nurses are iiul o£ admiration of the behaviour of these poor maimed fellows. These things i I mistake not will have a profound influence on chis aa;i tho »ext gw.'ation."