Evening star., 1914-08-14
Hiqh Praise Written Home by
a Washington Woman for
London Hotel Men.
ONE OF FIRST LETTERS
Received SINCE WAR
People Arriving at British Capital
From Continent Given Credit
and q Little Gold.

Strong testimony to the kindness and
courtesy of the English in their treatment
of the American caught in the war zone
at the outbreak Of hostilities who have
been pouring into London Is contained In
a letter received today by the family OF
a Washington woman now stranded In
one of the larger hotels Of the British
capital. This letter was written August
and is one Of the first from travellers
abroad to reach this city since the be-
ginning Of the trouble.
They say boat is soins'-aocording
to the letter-"and. II SO. you will get
this. We are Just as comfortable as We
can be. and as long as the hotel keeps
open We do not need money. They let
us charge everything and say they will
take an American check at the end.
Cheerful Under Difficulties.
War was declared last night but, as
every one expected 1t. things did not
change much. Since Saturday we have
been out of funds. Monday morning
friends arrived from Germany. All they
had was some Belgian money. I glee-
fully handed them five-pound note.
which we found was no good. Nothing
but gold was of any account and we have
boarded the four pieces we had Yester-
day they let us cash a $50 express check
at the offices of the Eastern railway. We
probably could get some money that way
at the express office, but the waiting
line Is block long. ] have to laugh at
our friends; they are In their own fiat
but have not had money enough to buy
food SO they come to our hotel and have
:lll their meals with US.
Last night we decided to go to the
theater and. as the house was not
full we had fine seats in the pit at
uyo 4 d. ~ " Yren arh ri fy,
buses to save cab hire and walk to
save bus fare.
IF 1t were not all so serious 1t would
be fun. for the town is overflowing and
we have met many friends. the Rich
ardsons among them
The Richardson's referred to are DR..
and Mrs Charles w. Richardson of
1917 Connecticut avenue. Washington.
They have sailings on the American
line" the letter continues. ''and II they
set home they will tell YOU we are all
light. Until yesterday we could not
get into communication with the
mother of the friends before referred
10. but yesterday she sent us a wire
that she was safe in Paris and could
not leave for ten days.
Narrowing Tales Of Continent.
"wesare SO delighted that we were
not on the continent, as we have heard
such narrowing tales of those who
|ere. NOW we are Just waiting fof
you to send for us. and we hope you
will hurry up. not only for our sakes.
but for that of the English, who have
lone 50 nobly by US. One would almost
think we were guests here. Thes,pro-
prietor told me yesterday that he
would take care of US and that he
would have food enough for two
months. People arrive from the con.
tinent without one cent of money or
me bit of luggage and they give them
Ill the credit they want and a little
gold.
I'VE would have cabled often since
,ur first message, but there was moth
ng to say. and we had no money to
10 it with. Our friends received
able of about fifty words from rela-
ives. Think OF having enough real
honey to send that! They answered in
wo words.
You know how grave the English
IRE, even while 'pleasuring' You
hould see them now. hate the nights,
or one hears the shouting from Picca-
lilly circus. and last night 1t kept up
intil Q am.
I'VE did not like the steamer we
anne over in. but 1t certainly looks
;ood now.'