New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-27
BY IsIDOR LEVI.

~ THEN the mobilization orders were post
ed in Germany and men in all walks
Nv Of life left their various spheres Of
activity to answer the call, there were
the CITY of Frankfurt and N the summer re-
sorts and cure places in its vicinity about nine
hundred Americans, all anxious to get away, not
knowing how long it would be before normal con-
Ci.ioEs would be restored or what diseomforts or
priy0t;ops might fall to their lot in the meantime.
Many Of these Americans had just arrived from
darienbad Carlsbad, Franzensbsd and other cure
places in Bohemia, from the Black Forest and
Switzerland, which places they had deserted has
tily on Ovcrcrowded trains on which third and
fourth class passengers elbowed and pushed hold
crs Of FIRST class transportation out of their places
The discomfort and, in some instances, loss of
baggage vice. however, the price gladly paid for
escaping from the Austrian war zone, and the
refugees considered themselves fortunate in ar
irving unhurt in Germany.
The echo of the prayers of thanks had not yet
died away when the cry Mobile! Mobile!" in the
streets gave warning that mobilization orders had
been issued in Germany also and that the war
zone had grown Martial law was proclaimed, the
schools were closed orders were issued TO the
citizens to buy only such foodStuffs as were abso-
lutcly necessary for immediate use, to OFFER no
objections TO taking paper money, and to ald as
lar IS lay in their power through the help Of the
larger children in harvesting the crop. Silver and
gold coin disappeared over night, and great dim
Guilty arose as to how to pay small bills
TIE GERMAN HOOLIGANS MIGHT BE
AMERICANS.
Mods tore down all French and English signs
the name Of the hotel Russscher HOf escaped
being demolished by hysterical Germans, who took
40 - ko;r
enangine its name to Hessischer Hof Hooligans
chased people on the streets for no greater crime
than speaking French. Altogether the situation
was not conducive to perfect tranquility, and
there seemed to he justification for the desire
to move on and away from the heavy atmosphere.
The alarmist was everywhere in evidence with
grewsOme pictures Of painful possibilities, and in
groups Of whispering men and women in the hotel
corridors the scenes of the siege of Paris were
recalled and horse and dog meat repasts in candle
lighted rooms were dwelt upon with gastronOmic
fear and trembling, and could hear people
discussing what would happen, the troops
had been sent away "and the railroad tracks had
been torn up" The streets became quiet because
Of the diminished automobile traffic, gssolene hAv
ing been confscated by the government, which
doled out this twentieth century necessity in
homeopathic doses and for in the city limits
only The comparative quiet was broken many
times every day by squads of recruits marching,
dangling their uniform bundles, to the various
headquarters where clerks, porters, physicians,
actors, lawyers and men of all trades and prOfes-
sions were transformed into members of the great
lighting force where they lost their identity and
became numbers
THE MARCHING RECRUITS, SINGING SONGS
AND UTTERING STRANGE PHRASES.
But they marched with light step, responded
TO the cheers with which they were greeted and
sang the national anthem with vim born Of en-
thusiasm Above the strains of Deutschland Ueber
Allies" could often be heard from old men, chill
dren and women on the sidewalks "Hauet Sie,"
"Maehts gut" "Auf wiedersshen" and "Schreibt
Won Paris" Once in uniform however, the men
we're not seen again except singy or in small
groups, and although over 100000 men were
moved out Of Frankfurt in the nine days follow
ing the mobilization orders there were less march
ing Of troops in its streets and less military
music heard than sees an& hears in New York
when the 69th Regiment goes to camp at Peeks-
KILL Trains bore the soldiers away, no one knew
where o. when, and when a waiter was missing
from his station or a bookkeeper from his desk,
when a lawyer failed to Keep engagement a
physician neglected patient, it became evident
that mobilization had not yet been completed.
= Trains erawled slowly into the station for sew
eral days, bringing great crowds of passengers,
who told Of hardshps and delays, and finally the
passenger traffic ceased entirely and the military
authorities gave notice that it would not be re-
sumed until mobilization was completed The
banks refused to honor letters Of credit, ard hun
dreds of Americans, unable to proceed their
way home, without funds, on the verge of panic,
sought advice at the Office OF the American Consul
General
~ THE GENERAL ANXIETY SICK FOLKS FOR
GET THEY ARE SICK.
The poorly furnished office in Schillerstrasse
was crowded with anxious men and women, many
Of whom came from Nauheim and other nearby cure
places, where they had been sent by their physi-
clans 10 regain their health, but who under the
strain forgot their physical ailments. Many had
no passports, without which it soon became
known that no one would be allowed TO leave tre
c,.y even after the train service had been re-
stored Passport application blanks were pre-.
paled and in order to facilitate the work of max.
ag these out, having them properly recorded AMI
forwarded 20 the embassy at Berlin, il. W. Harris
sns consul general, VINO had only the vice-cOnsul,
Ernest L. Ives. to assist him, had to draft his
wife and daughter into the service.
The mail service had become irregular and un-