Evening star., 1914-08-19
FLETCHER RECOUNTS
WAR SCENES ABROAD
Florida Senator and Other
Washingtonians Caught in
Mobilization Grip.
RESOLUTION OF FRENCH
MADE DEEP IMPRESSION
Southern Commercial Congress Party
Given transportation in Mill
tary Train.

THE immediate cause that now in
wolves Europe in what may be the most
terrible war Of history is well known, but
all students know that the Austro-Servlan
controversy was but the surface cause OF
diplomatic negotiations that resulted
fatally, as the real reason is to be found
in the ancient quarrels between nations
and in the ambition of monarchs ana
peoples to maintain position in the fam
lily of governments, and to defend boun-
daries fixed by the stern arbitramene OF
the sword in other generations
This is the statement of Senator Dun
can U. Fletcher Of Florida, who. when
the great war began, was in France, ana
who returned to Washington yesterday.
The senator was chairman of delega-
ton of municipal executives and civic
leaders assembled by the Southern Com
mercial Congress at the instance of per-
sons actively interested in civic develop
ment in England. There were nifty IN
the party which sailed July and at
tended the sessions in the British capl-
tai from July 20 to 26. Late in July
they arrived in Paris. and from that city
went to Lyon, where an international e4-
position was in progress.
THE members of the commission
were at Lyon" said Senator Fletcher,
when the general mobilization Of the
French army was ordered. Railway
schedules were suspended and it was
with considerable difficulty and. in
convenience that Paris was reached.
The scenes in France were marked by
decisive action that produced con-
gestion in ordinary travel, as every
means of transportation was used Tor
military purposes and all other de-
mands subordinated to military needs
Relieved by Martial Law.
In Paris, as in smaller centers. the
law The one predominant impression
produced upon all foreigners was the
serious, resolute purpose that seemed
to impel all France. There was no
parading, no marching bands, no reck-
but there was grim preparation for u
death struggle.
THE commission. by governmental
permission, was given transportation
from Paris to Dieppe, via Rouen. on a
military train, and left for England on
the last boat to ply between Dieppe
and New Haven. On arriving in Lon
don the same stirring scenes were in
evidence as in France-the general
mobilization of great army. Eng
land was not stirred with the same in
tensity as France, as it was farther
removed from the actual center Of con
fict, but withal England, accentuated
by the obligation of treaty, ordered q
general assembling Of land and sea
forces for the worldwide conflict.
forces in securing the permission OF
the admiralty for the New Amsterdam,
sailing from Rotterdam, port that
could not be reached from England,
owing to the danger Of mines, to put
in at Plymouth and take on the com
New Amsterdam left Plymouth on
Sunday, August 8, after having been
stopped in the English channel -four
times by warships.
The stories about all the motors OF
all Americans and other foreigners
having been taken over by the French
government undoubtedly were exaeaer-
ated. 1t also was somewhat difiicult
to get ones hands on ready cash. but
IN tnat respect the hotels were as ac-
would permit. The hotels. certainly
the larger ones, accepted travellers
checks in payment of bills, and gave
oack as change fair amount Of actual
money. 80 that we managed to have
enough OF the money of France for our
real needs.
Herrick Deep in Work
Il visited the American embassy and
found Ambassador Herrick and all his
assistants plunged in the work Of CIV
ing advice and aid to Americans In
Paris. The work Of the American en-
bassy was admirably organized, and
every American who called. no matter
what his station in life. was giver
courteous attention and sent on his
way assured of all the assistance that
extend. Many of our people in Pari.
were much disturbed. but 1t appeared
to me they really were more alarmed
than there was cause to be. Much OF
this, I thought. was due to their fail.
ure to understand the language and the
excited characteristics Of some of the
French civilians. I shared with then
the failure to understand the language
but whenever the Frenchman knew
that he was dealing with an American
the most courteous treatment was ex.
tended.
THE participation Of the American
commission in the international mu.
nicipal congress in London" concluded
Senator Fletcher, the internationa
urban exposition in Lyon and the
study Of civic problems in Europe ha6
to do with the constructive measures
of peace, and it came as the irony o.
well laid plans that the study. of tht
| should have been checked by the as
sembling Of armies bent on the de
struction Of civic systems that have
been evolved through long years O
peace"