Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1914-09-17
MESA
MESA CITIZEN
HEARD THE WAR
J. M. Schuele Returned from
a Visit to Germany =
Had Rather Strenuous
Time Getting Out Of the
Country

LhAiC ''teoiISo Wv VI
Country
]. M. Schuele, an oldtime resident
of Mesa, has returned from a visit
to his old home in Germany and to
friends and relatives there and in
Switzerland, across the border. He
would not have made this visit if he
had known that war was going to
break out.
Leaving Mesa May Goth, he visited
en- route New York, Chicago, Buffalo
and Niagara Falls. Leaving New
York June ct, he sailed on the S. S.
Imperator of the Hamburg American
line. They touched at Cherburg,
France; Southampton, England, thence
to Hamburg, Germany. From this
place Mr.. Schuele went to Stuhling-
en-, Baden, one of the frontier cities
between Germany and Switzerland
Here he visited with his father
brothers and sisters, whom he had
not seen for 81 years. When he lef'
them as young man they were no.
grown, and upon returning he found
them married with families of their
own, one of his sisters having three
sons in the army He also has a
brother in the service. After spend
ing some time in Baden, he went to
Lucerne, Switzerland, where he has
another sister. He was there at the
time war was declared. Switzerland
Immediately modified every available
man from the ages of 20 to so.
The money markets were affected
to such an extent that within two
days there was no circulation of
specie, and all banks suffered from
runs. More particularly was this the
case with the savings banks where
the poorer people made their de-
posts. The next move of Importance
was the procuring of provisions, which
was done so quickly that two days
had not elapsed before stores were
sold out of flour and eatables. The
city governments took a strong hand
in preventing merchants from charg
ing eXorbitant prices for materials,
closing a number of them for doing
So
There were thousands of Americans
! in Switzerland at the time war was
declared. These Immediately came to
the conulate to register and procure
emergency passports that were is
sued by the legation.
| Americans then called meetings In
all the cities of Importance and or
ganized. Men of experience were al
the head They appointed committees
on transportation, relief and finance
! These organizations were put into
working order with the usual Ameri-
can dispatch and their work was
! thorough They took up the situa-
ton with the American ambassador
at Berne, who, in turn, cabled the
same to Secretary of State Bryan
and President Wilson. Their answers
effect that all citizens would be pro-
yided for as soon as possible.
All American army and navy Off
GERS that were on vacation and Wis
iting abroad were ordered to place
| themselves at the disposal of the
consular service in helping the or
CARNATIONS and assisting those who
desired to leave for home. The
proposition of money was taken up
with the state department at Wash
| ington. which resulted in the guaran
| teeing of money to cover drafts and
checks of various kinds held by the
refugees. and in this way the finan-
cial distress was relieved. The state
department also obtained permission
Of the French government for the
use of special trains to convey its
citizens from the war zone to Paris
which was granted. These trains
were in charge of American officers
and none but Americans allowed to
ride upon them. 1t was necessary
to show their passports before they
could get on. Baggage was loaded and
passed direct from Geneva to Paris
without being examined by customs
officers. great many Americans
found themselves without any money.
These were taken care of by the gov
eminent by their giving their names
and the banks in the United States
with which they did business and
checks and notes were taken to Sc
cure them. A very few had no such
connections and the government will
probably lose on them. This class
, consisted principally Of actors and
servitors of the lower class. But as
long as they established their iden-
tity as American citizens they were
given assistance
After these arrangements were
made, Mr.. Schuele, through the cour-
tesy of officers of the German army
went back to Germany, leaving word
with his friends in Lucerne to tele-
graph him as soon as the first OPP
portunity came to get out. He was
in Germany twelve days when word
reached him that a train was being
made UP to convey Americans out
He left at once and was on that train
This train was met by two officers
| from Paris, who distributed circulars
informing the people that the Ameri-
can, ambassador would be responsible
| for the safe conduct of the people to
L hot told