The Washington times., 1914-09-22

Alter three cables had been sent
out by the State Department at the
instigation of Mr. Burroughs, the
reply was given at last that the
whereabouts Of Mrs Burroughs
were unknown" and that she had
left Geneva on August 81 for Paris,
intending to sail for America.
Until Wednesday this was all the
news that the family of Mrs. Bur-
roughs had. On that date the let
tiers which appear below were all re-
ceived in one bunch.
The first one Is dated August 3 and
the last September l.
They have been robbed of little
that is not reproduced herein, for
the writer was evidently in such a
state that the terse, short sentences
were all of which she was capable Of
writing at the time.
Not without their sense of humor.
however. these letters give a vivid
picture of the absolute Gestitution Of
some of the Americans in the war
zone. and the terrific strain under
which they were forced to live. The
knowledge of their safety was pretty
we'll assured here. and there is a
note sounded In some of the letters
which seems to say: Il know that
but i is rather a faint note at that
Psychological Transformation.
The gradual change. from pique
and annoyance. to genuine fear and
terror. the final acceptance of the in
evitable. and last of all the deep
gratitude and thankfulness, is a
psychological transformation plain
ly shown In short, they depict just
What might have happened to any
one, ar. are therefore correspond
fngly human.
Each letter but the last is dated
At Geneva.
The first is given exactly as it was
written. personal messages to the
family having been omitted.
II is interesting to note that Mrs.
burroughs jumps right into the war,
with no mention of any previous
Conditions. Her other letters were
evidently destroyed, having been
written during the first uncertain
stages of the struggle. But note that
even on August third, she still hopes
that things may settle down
The First Letter.
Geneva, Aug. 3.
This war is awful. Food scars
snd Is only sold in small quantities.
The American consul informed me
that there are no boats from London
to America He advises me to re-
main here. l am to go back in day
or two AS things may settle down.
] hope ] can take the trip through
Italy. but If the North German Lloyd
is not running from Naples to Lon
don. Of course that is out Of the
question.
The Cook people haven't sent my
receipt for my trunk and piano yet.
and | am nearly wild about that.
Today ! have written the consul
there CParisJ to please look into the
matter for me. II l can't go
through Italy I have found a won
derful farm on the lake where l shall
probably pass the month of August.
! have tried to book on the French
line for september -, but they in
formed me today that ! could not
depend on anything, Cars are run
ming by the hour instead of the
quarter hour, as the motormen. con-
ductors. postmen, milk and bread
drivers and all others have been call
ed. Nothing is delivered.
The consul told me that Italy and
Switzerland had declared themselves
neutral. so am as safe here as any
consul advises differently. don't
understand why you don't get the
letters. ! have been writing twice
week. ! have not received your
check. Cooks agency. is closed.
Runs are on the banks. People are
trying but failing to get money. My
trip TO Monteaux was ideal.
may come straight home as soon
as possible. We can't go to Paris,
have TO stay here. ! am sorry my
trip is spoiled, but 7 will have 10
do as the consul says.