Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-31
HALLoWELL.
Prof. Charles Warner Who Re-
Gently Returned from the
War Zone Tells of
Experiences
LOCALS AND PERSONALS
ABOUT THE TOWN

"A very interesting story was that told
the local correspondent Of the Journal
Saturday by Prof. Charles Warner, head
of the Springfield (Mass) Technical
School, who, with Mrs. Warner, have
just returned from the European war
zone. being the guest of his father B.
F. Warner Of this city. Although Prof
Warner was not at any time on the Con-
tinent, he was as near to II as he cared
to be- and in position to learn the de-
tails of the great war from authoritative
sources. Unlike the majority. he expert
enced none of the hardships that were
common to those who were so unfortu-
nate as to be on the Continent at the
time of the outbreak.
Prof. and Mrs. Warner left Boston
June rs on the Dominican Line steamer
Athenia. arriving in London July 6. Aft
er touring the British Isles he had plan
ned to go to France, but when the time
approached the state of conditions was
so threatening that he deemed 1t wise
not to take the risk. And as it proved,
1t was a very fortunate thing that he
stayed in London On Aug. is he left on
last Tuesday and later arrived in Hal
lowell Thursday night.
In speaking of the situation Prof. War
ner said that he would confirm, in meas
ure. the accounts of the press The tour
list upon reaching London experienced
no difficulty in procuring money for
transportation, owing to generosity Of
the famous London committee. Thous-
ands of tourists would reach London
with nothing but the clothes that they
wore. In the work of caring for the
committee was very effective. The Hotel
Savoy was given over entirely for the ac-
commodation of American refugees, who
were provided with money and means of
transportation AS matter of fact.
many Americans were given lodging ac-
eommodations in private families. And
when II came to the return trip 1t was a
case of taking what you could get-many
people of prominence being glad of the
chance to take steerage quarters, paying
well for the privilege. Very few escaped
without having some, IL not many, quite
narrowing experiences. but once in Lon
don they were quite safe, thanks to the
London committee. In speaking of the
committee Prof. Warner said that il was
wonderful institution. doing wonderful
work.
Prof. Warner related little incident,
told him by friend who was unsortu-
nate in being caught in Belgium at the
outbreak. At the railway station in
Cologne, baggage of American tourists
was left in huge quantities, and when
toe station was turned over to the gov
eminent for military purposes 1t all had
to be taken elsewhere. And the only
available place was the square around a
nearby cathedral OF immense proper
tons. When the baggage was finally re-
moved from the station it extended in
a line clear around the cathedral, piled
Is or 20 feet in the air. However, the
baggage is receiving the protection of
the government and an effort will be
made sometime to restore 1t to its own
ers.
Prof Warner returned to London from
Glasgow on the last train that went over
the road for the accommodation of the
public. He stated that the government
was at the present time monopoiizing all
means of transportation for the trans
ferring Of troops. Schoolhouses were be-
ing used for housing troops. while auto
mobiles and horses we're drafter for
transportation purposes. For the privi-
leges a nominal amount woulo be paid
by the government Trains would also
be stopped at almost any point and the
passengers told to get out. to allow room
for troops.
AS to the food condition in the war
zone, the harvesting in England. France
and Germany had been practically COM
pleted but it is feared that Russia might
be troubled by famine.
Prof. Warner is the head OF a school
where the faculty consists Of about so
instructors. A large number of these
went abroad at the time he did and
when he left London six of them could
not be accounted for. However. since
then he has received word that three of
them have been located but the others
are still missing.