The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-22

Miss Annie M. Clisby Tells Interesting Story
 of Journey From Europe and the War Center

apnesled to a policeman and when hs
 started with her to show her the way thu
 bystanders, taking her to be spy, almos
 mobbed her The police had to protec
 her and assure the crowds that she wal not a spy. I will say this, that at no time was any American in danger. It was al most an Adamless Eden in that town, can assure you, as nearly every male citizen had gone to war or was to go next day"
 When did you effect your further escape?' I inquired ~
 The next morning by o'clock we were aeain on the train said Miss Clisby "The crowds and the rush for cars was even worse than the day before. and the only danger we experienced was in the rush of changing cars when there really was danger of being trampled to death When we applied for information we all ways found uniform courtesy on the part of officials everywhere. in spite of the crush and excitement. In fact, the only discourtesy that we heard mentioned by any of the traveler8 we met was that of some American consuls.
 "The trip was filled with excitement; three times did we have to change cars, continued Miss Clisby, ''once our train being ordered for soldiers. Each time the struggle was something terrific and the crowds more excited than the time be- fore. The windows in the trains were ordered closed and the soldiers who guarded the railroad lines, had orders to shoot any person who dared open them, and so there we sat with no air, no water, all cooped up like cattle in those stuffy trains. It was avery philosophic crowd, however, for there was little complaining, as everybody was glad and thankful to get out of the turmoil.
 What was your objective point?'' sked
 Amsterdam replied Miss Clisby, which we reached at midnight. and the next morning we went to Rotterdam. There Dr. Armstrong secured passage for us right away on the New Amsterdam. sailing for New York on August 8, and you can imagine our happiness once we were aboard. our faces set toward our native land
 And what about your friends, Miss Hawkins and Miss Withers?" I asked
 'Of course, when I left them in Paris had expected to return and join them" said Miss Clisby, but when war was de elared there was no chance whatever for me to reach them l wired them from every point possible. Not a line did l hear from them, and I had to sail with out even so much as knowing where they were. As soon as I arrived in Bir- l communicated with Miss Haw- NlliS itidtiNts anu they tell Hle .iHe idSl word they had from her was on July 3l.
 Were the passengers on the way over preturbed and excited?" I asked.
 Not at all. said Miss Clisby. T never saw more Ncomplacent and more thank ful crowd than ours You would never have known that there was war any, where. although those who were in it's midst were never forgotten. Services were held on the ship on Sunday, and prayers for the peace and the safety of those left behind, and those engaged in the strife and struggle were fervent and earnest and touching in their sincerity There were many notable people on the New Amsterdam including pr. Clarence Owen, director of the Southern Commercial con- gress at Washington; the Persian ambas- sador and his family, a German countess who Is now an American citizen, having been a deaconess in the Episcopal church for the past 20 years; the well known tenor. Mr. Riker of the Metropolitan opera, and many others. Altogether there were 20S9 passengers