South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-08-13
81 HERREIRT R. IlINLBURG.

BY HERBERT X. IIIMBURG.
hmm ediately a&er Austria had de-
elared war against Servia the German
newspapers reported-guardedl 1t Is
true-that partial Russian mobiliza-
ton was taking place near the Aus
TRAN frontier. The German nation
at once knew what this meant. Crowds
paraded through the streets singing
and cheering. Newspaper offices were
surrounded by enthusiastic thousands
awaiting word that Germany was to
mobilize. The police prohibited these
parades in Berlin and in other places;
they also confscated newspapers that
spread rumors that mobilization had
already been ordered. The leading
papers all asserted that war could
and should be avoided. Yet the Ger
man people realized that 1t could not
be.
I saw a number OF these "mobs''
in Frankfort and Cologne. They were
composed almost entirely Of the work
ing classes. They were orderly and
when not cheering were singing Die
Wacht Am Rhine and "Deutsch-
land Uber Allies"
Papers Talking Peace.
While the papers were talking
peace" and the nation believing
war" precautions we're taken to
be ready for eventualities. The gov
eminent examined every horse and
notified it's owner where TO deliver it
TO the military forces in case Of mo-
Utilization The same with autOmO-
biles This was at least a week before
any declaration of war between Ger
many and Russia. The commissary
department laid in tremendous sup
Plies OF provisions. The war depart
ment also put in large orders. In the
meantime the German housewives pre-
pared themselves. In Cologne the
entire stock OF groceries, etc, was
bought up within a day. Business
concerns similar to Parke and TilfOrd
and Acker, Merrill and company were
compelled TO close because Of eXhaus-
ton Of their stock Gold was no long
er to be had at the banks while mer-
chants to a considerable extent re-
fused 10 accept paper money.
The air was heavy with suppressed
excitement Persons were rushing
from the various summer resorts To
their homes, the trains we're over
crowded, and late baggage was piled
up at the stations and yet there was
no general air of decentralization IN
the railroad service, though
it was expected that the railroads
would pass into the control of the mil
itary any day.
Advised TO Leave.
Some we'll informed friends advised
me to leave at once If 1 intended TO
cordingly / was at the station at
a. m on Friday, July 81. I am in
formed that but one more train took
passengers to the frontier. On the
Holland side Of the border limo there
is a large river spanned by an iron
bridge. Upon this bridge about 100
Dutch soldiers were on guard. They
had erected wooden sheds in the mid
die OF the bridge in which they slept
upon bundles OF straw. Railway trains
were searched and the passengers
were compelled 70 keep the windows
closed so as not to get a good glimpse
OF the Dutch fortificationS which We
passed at this point.
A friend OF mine who took the last
train out OF Cologne was arrested
az the frontier as a German spy and
after much difficulty persuaded his
military captors Of his American ma
tionality and was then permitted TO
20 free. AIany heart-rendering scenes
were enacted before we left Soldiers
were called away to duty. citizens who
had done military duty years ago and
hoped 10 spend their remaining years
I'm commercial and peaceful life were
on the Qui vive awaiting orders which
were TO tear them from their families
and homeS-perhaps never 70 return.
But so IL was all over Europe.
Difference I'm Papers.
During this period I was able to
secure not only the leading German,
but French and English newspapers
as we'll The difference was very pro
nounced.
The German newspapers. even the
semi-official papers, were moderate in
tone. approaching the seriousness Of
the situation. The French papers on
the contrary contained numerous at
tacks upon the Germans, some OF them
a.bsurdly eXtravagant. The British
newspapers which until July so had
spoken hopefully Of peace, suddenly
changed their attitude. They re
garded war between Germany, Russia
and France as imminent and demand
ed that England should participate
therein as Frances and Russlas al
~.
In view OF what 1 understand was
subsequently, England's Official atu-
tude. IL is interesting 10 read the edi-
torials in the London Times and Daily
TELEGRAPH OF July 81 and Aug. 1.
These insisted that England must
nght Germany at this time, but not
because Of any moral issue, but II
was 10 England's advantage 10 do so.
These papers openly advocated self
interest and preached the doctrine
that England should take advantage
OF this opportunity TO crush her COM
mercial competitor. For the antagon-
Ism between British and German Is
mere commercial competition. Ger
many alone has challenged England s
supremacy IN a held regarded by her
for centuries as peculiarly her own.
Belgium Papers.
The war spirit seized not only Ger
many and France, but Belgium and
Holland also prepared for all eventu-
alities. The order which was main
tanned IN Germany 10 the last minute
was wholly Lacking IN the Holland
railroad service The baggage OF most
OF the passengers who came on to
Rotterdam was lost IN transit. The
trains ran hours behind schedule. Pas
sengers were compelled 20 change cars
at almost every station and every
American traveller regarded his ar
rival at Rotterdam as personal luck
The afternoon before the departure
OF the Potsdam so per cent OF the
stewards and employees We're COM
peeled. 70 leava the. ship and 10 enter