The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-09-09

| poooioie ioI WOIhlllS up enthusiasm IN
support of the governments action. 1t
seemed to be relief when war was
declared and the question as to what
England should do was settled. The
subjects Of foreign countries engag-
ed in the war were under suspicion
and If foreigner could not render a
good account of himself he was liable
to be arrested as a spy. We think,
however. that most of the parties APP
pretended, We're released upon in yes
tigation.
People here little realize the en-
barrassment which came to American
citizens travelling abroad this season,
and this was especially true with lad
les unfamiliar with the methods of
business and financial transactions.
1t was difficult to make some of them
understand why it was that with an
ample supply of money they were un-
able to make purchases or provide
themselves with the necessaries of
life. They could not understand why
the money they had could not be used
and doubt if some of them yet real
ize just what the trouble was. The
great difficulty was to induce mer-
chants from whom purchases were
made and restaurants where meals
were served to accept paper money
OF any kind where the transaction re.
CURED change to be given back. Every
one seemed crazed with a desire to
hoard gold and silver and within a day
of two after the stringency commenced
there was little coin in circulation. A
millionaire was just as much embar-
rased as beggar because his money
was not acceptable unless he was able
to purchase in large amounts where
the transaction could be carried on
and payment made without exacting
change. If you sought to exchange
paper money for gold or silver it
could be done only BY paying a large
premium. But this condition did not
continue long because in about ten
days or two weeks after the trouble
arose the government of Great Britain
issued one pound notes and other small
notes which relieved the situation.
In France the same thing happened
only the government issued a twenty
franc note and othre small amounts. In
addition. the United States sent to
the American headquarters in London
considerable amount of gold which
was very much appreciated by the
American travellers.
Perhaps the fact which caused more
disappointment than anything else
was the calling off of steamers that
were scheduled to sail to the United
States. A large portion of the people
who flocked to London from the CONT
nent had arrangements already made to
sail to the United States and when
they found their boats had been called
into the service of the government or
for any other reason were called off
and were not to sail, it was most dis
appointing because bookings had been
made for other boats up to as late as
October and if a person sought to Sc
cure first class passage on another
boat, he was told that he could sail
some time in October or later. The
result was that people began TO clamor
for second class and even steerage
accommodations and it was not I'M
usual to find millionaire travelling
steerage in order to get home. 1t was
seemingly any excuse to get away and
to escape the dangers which were
more imagined than real. 1t was a
frequent thing to meet someone who
had transportation on six. or eight
boats at one time in the hope that one
of the number would sail and in some
instances, even with this done. uarties
were disappointed and finally pur-
chased the cheapest transportation
available. One man of our acquaint-
ance had two thousand dollars invest
ed in transportation and was still in
London when we left. We hope that
he and his party have succeeded in
reaching the United Sthates before
this time.
Englishmen lack the ability to en-
press themselves as tersely as we do.
A sign which is frequently seen here
when property is advertised for rent
or for sale is simply the statement
For Rent" or For Sale" while over
there the same thought is expressed
by thes ign reading ITO be let" or "T
be Sold" Instead of advertising
Public Telephone as we do. the sign
will read you can Telephone From
Here"
cannot help but say in closing that
the United States looks good to
us and we are proud of the fact that
we are American citizens.
T. P Conner