The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-16
Germans, He Says, Are Ready
for War With France on
Any Pretext.
AT THE SHRINE OF LoURDEs.
Puzzled by the Miraculous Healing
of an Invalid in the Holy
Grotto.

the steamship Paris. In an interview to-
day concerning his vacation trip he had
the following to say:
eve arrived at Southampton at the close
of the elections in England, after the
smoothest of passages on a summer sea.
The progress of American methods in the
old country is extraordinary. They say
we have already ruined their weather.
Five years ago the London newspapers
sent me letter politely requesting the
appointment of time convenient to my
self when representative might call, and
afterward submitted proofs. Three years
ago reporters called and sent up their
cards. but asked few questions, principally
about American securities. This year the
steamer landed at o'clock in the morn
ing. At 6 l went down to breakfast, to
find reporter by my chair, saying in the
well-remembered New York way, Are yeu
Mr.. Chauncey Depew? Well, then, / want
column upon these subjects. upon which
l am instructed to get your views
There were dozen questions, covering
the elections, finance, industrial prospects
and the policies of parties. 1t was impos-
sible not to recognize and respond to such
touch of home. The interview, in whole
or in part, appeared in all the English pa
pers. In one respect the questions were
interesting and showed the development
OF the American in England with social
ambition. The interview gave the Anglo
maniacs the opportunity and they i'm
proved it in the press. at dinners and in
the drawing-rooms
Zone of these questions was, what is
the American idea of home rule, and how
generally are Americans OF one mind on
that subject?' My answer was substan-
tally that home rule is the cornerstone of
our institutions, and our people are practi-
cally unanimous on that subject; that
there never had been any divisions among
us as to home rule for Ireland, and we
could not understand the real or manufac-
tured fears of the adoption of the policy
leading to the disruption of the British
empire. On the contrary, we thought the
adoption of the federative principle would
benefit England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales
and the colonies; that we were heartily in
favor of English-speaking people leading
the world, and willing that the British en-
pire should have first place in the affairs
of Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, but
that we would neither consent to nor per-
nit the control or occupation by Euro
pean power of the republics of America.
1.-The excitement in the South Africa
gold mines equals the widest speculation
in Colorado or California booming times
Both London and Paris are crazy. One of
the best informed bankers in Europe told
me that 100 men had pocketed in cold cash
within the past year $500, 100000 by the
sale of stocks or shares of these companies
The money had come from the contiding
British Government and the usually
cautious French. Forty millions of it was
won by a man who went to the Cape as
juggler in circus and is now climbing
rapidly the social ladder. The stocks are
constantly rising in price and, of course,
capitalization, and at not distant day the
bubble will burst, scattering ruin more
widely than has been experienced for
generation.
"After leaving London I went to Luz
chom, in the Pyrenees, where some of my
family were staying.
II was in Germany on the 25th anniver-
sary of the victory OF Sedan. The celebra-
ton reminded me of the rejoicing with us
after the surrender at Appomattox. Pal
alike covered with flags, and the bunting
obscured the sky. Professions, music,
Examinations and every form of popular
Joy were universal The enthusiasm was
wild and contagious. 1t developed a Deep
seated national and almost passionate
desire for war with France now and on
any pretext to settle forever the possession
OF Alsace- Lorraine and to so cripple the
French that they would no longer be
menace to the peace of Germany, and that
her military establishment might be
reduced.
Being in Lourdes while in the Pyrenees,
Ipaid visit to this world renowned shrine.
The village church stands on hill and
on one side is a precipice running down to
the river about 200 feet. At the bottom is
grotto about 100 feet deep, irregular and
rough in shape. The legend of the place
is that in 1858 the virgin appeared to
child in this grotto with promises of heal
ing the sick and fountain burst forth, the
waters OF which have miraculous power.
Alongside the grotto is a bathing place
with four bath tubs filled with ice-cold
water from the spring. Into this the
patients are plunged, no matter what their
disease or deformity. l was told 1900 peo-
there. They are plunged into the water Mer
and instantly taken out, under con-
slant and loud supplications for their heal
ing.
"At night the sights are wonderful.
They carry torches and sing hymns,
marching over the winding roads, Other
thousands are on their knees in the space
in front of the grotto, praying, singing and
imploring the Virgin for help. Hundreds
upon hundreds of candles flicker and
glare in the grotto and send weird light
upon the white-robed statue of the Virgin
which stands just above. In the afternoon
a vast procession forms at the grotto and
marches along the river, turning into the
plaza as it passes the point where the road
rises from the plain upon the arches to
the church.
"On one side of the plaza were placed in
a row some hundreds of light wagons,
each holding an incurable sufferer. The
sight of these helpless and, except by
miracle, hopeless men, women and chill
dren in every stage of distortion, or living
death, is affecting beyond words to ex-
press. As the head of the procession
reached the first wagon the priest elevated
the host before the patient Another priest
cried out: %, Lord, help this sick one!
The hundreds of priests and 5000 pilgrims
repeated the cry in unison.
again, louder and with tremendous
passion and energy. he cried: %, Lord,
heal this sick onep the crowd taking up
tho ipvocctiop &c hafora Az tho rrococ.