The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-02
DRIVER FOR DREXELS
WAS "CASUS BRLLI"
Valet Also Caused New Yorker
and Wife Trouble in France
Nationality Doubted.
HELD BY TEN GENnARMES
Special Gable nespdfeh 10 TINS srS

PARIS, oct. 1.--rohn r. Drexel and
members Of mis- family arrived in Pa-p
after a series OF unpleasant experience.
In getting here from vichy. Mr. Urcxr
took o train and got here withou, m,,,j
trouble. but Mrs Drexel, who came by an
tomobile. vas arrested at Pith'viers and
WAS not released until the American En-
haasy had interviewed
The DrsEels' chauffeur was an Aus
trian, II was thought. and II took him "a
days TO prove his French nationai!J
Nr. Drcxel will 60 to London and theme
proceed TO Tho Hague to meet his dauxb
ter.
The family OF Mr. H. Dresel had r,
mained NJ vichy IN hopes 81 getting som.
news of Miss Drexel from whom nothing
had been heard from July rs until August
II, when Ambassador Gerard managed g.
nnd her In Germlsch, from where sho
vent to Munich.
Stranded Americans on their way from
Carlsbad to London passed through Mu.
ncn AID took letters from Miss TseXel
To- her parents These letters hnally 20,
to vichy from England and Arrangement,
we're made for the family TO meet At TAs
Hague.
MIR Drexel on September 81 left vichv
at . o'clock in the morning by train. &c
compan.ed BY his German valet They
been asked for their papers when thsy
we're registering at the Hotel de Crlllon
the valet was arrested. but was later al
lowed his liberty and WAS permitted 10
depart on La France.
Mrs Drexel started from Vlchy TO-
Paris by train. accompanied by her seere
tary. her maid and chauffeur named
Schmidt. an Austrian. Everybody car
ricd passports and other necessary pa
pers but before they had gono far they
were stopped by soldiers who demanded
that they produce blue permits. which
they said we're tho only form valid since
August 20. However, the car was finally
allowed to proceed.
The next trouble was AZ Pithiver
where ten gendsrmes arrested the part,
and searched their baggage In the most
thorough manner. even examining their
letters They told Mrs. Drexel that she
and her companions we're suspects
The Austrian chauffeur Schmidt wa
finally able to establish his French ciu-
zenship as he was able 70 name lead.
Ing people of his native town WHO were
known TO one OF the gendarInes.
send Party TO Hotel.
Hhe PARTY was sent to hotel The
police refused TO accept any telegrsms
for the American Embassy here or for the
Hotel de Crillon. whereupon they left the
polio. station without wishing the CON
mlssare "bon soir" and from this Incl
dent arose an accusation OF impoliteness
toward the party.
Mr. Nelson. Mrs Drexels secretary
succeeded In taking an carly train for
Paris next morning and through the EN-
l,s,sy obtained the necessary blue permit
Meanwhile Mrs. DreXel and her maid
after spending two nights at Pithivers
were sent to Orleans In their own auto.
mobile with the Austrian driver. as no
local chauffeur could be found who was
competent to run tho car Four gen
damres followed in a second car. They
received every courtesy from the military
STAFF at Orleans.
A new chauffeur brought blue pcrmi
from Paris tho following day and the
reached this city without further ncidenf
When they arrived here, however. the
discovered that Mr.. DreXel and Mr. Ne,
son had taken a train for Orleans a
hour before because OF the delay in the
arrival.
Mrs Drexel's friends say she Wa
made more nervous by the cockrosches a
the Pithlviors Hotel than by their arrest
The delay In Strengthening cut tn
troubles VS. due to the fact that ~
telegrnme could hc ~'u' 'e'-" On Z
the embassy or the Hotel dc Crillon woul
t~r e. htou"d ~ ma ter out - 2 day