Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-08-09
AMERICANS BACK
INLONDON after
HAZARDOUS TRIP
Tourists Tell of Conditions
in France-Find That the
British Capital Has Great
ly Changed.
BY p. M. sarI.

Omitted Press Staff Correspondent
London, Aug. S.-After travelling for
exactly a week in their flight from the
country through Switzerland and
France a large party of Americans
and Englishmen and women reached
London tonight. Worn from lack of
sleep; without baggage or funds, they
struggled to their homes or to the
American embassy where the citizens
of the United States stormed upon
Ambassador Page. Many were cared
for by the American relief committee,
hut having progressed this far when
they will be able to leave England is
problematical.
Regardless Of their wealth or social
position men and women alike were
forced to travel upon open cattle trucks
through France. These were the only
cars the railroads of France could af-
ford. All others have been requisi-
toned by the government for the trans
portation of troops. Pouring rains
drenched the refugees. But little pro-
lection could be afforded the women in
the party and day ana night they
bumped along on the cattle train glad
to have any sort of transportation
from tn ecountry.
Villages are Deserted.
Every town and village of France
through which the American refugees
passed appeared to be deserted, save
for the old men and the women and
children, they declared tonight. All
others had answered the call to the
colors. Tramping along the roads or
speeding by on troop trains were SOL
diers or reservists hurrying toward the
mobilization centers. They were leav-
ing their homes to fight but hurried on
with songs on their lips.
When the train bearing the Ameri-
cans and British appeared, always
were the stirring strains Of the Marseil-
laise sung by the soldiers, broken as
they cheered the refugees The Ameri-
cans declared that considering the con-
dition in France they were accorded
the kindliest treatment. Preparations
for war come before all else, however.
A fund for relief of Americans was
started here today through the efforts
of p. F. Murphy of New York. The
London Daily Mail contributed $1O,-
600 to open the fund and other sub
stantial contributions were soon re-
ceived
Henry Phipps, of Pittsburg, has Of
fered the relief committee $4,000.
London Greatly Changed.
1t is changed London that return
ing Americans have found.
England is taking her way soberly
and seriously. There have been dem
onstrations about Buckingham Palace
and enthusiastic out bursts of patriot
ism, but in the main London looks
calmly upon the sacrifices the nation
is about to make before the forces of
the Kaiser.
England is barely entering upon
Europe's latest era of death and de-
struction. From the humblest Irish
cottage, from the slums of London or
from the brilliant Buckingham Palace
may be taken the toll of war. With
the British fleet in the North sea is
Prince Albert Royalty faces the pros
pect of making its sacrifice along with
the most lowly subject
Through the streets automobiles
rushed with army supplies. Reservists
are mobilizing. The great cricket field
is now a military camp. Newspapers
tell OF the arrest of German spies in
the city, of the terrible fighting before
Lege; the Amphion is sunk by mine
and England pays her toll of 100 dead.
In parliament. Home Secretary Nc
Kenna, protested against the false pub
lication of English victory at sea-
Walter Runciman, secretary of agri-
culture, denounces the wealthy who
load their automobiles with foodstuffs
and boarding against the possibilities
of the seige, bring suffering and want
upon the poor. The house of commons
passes a bill authorizing the govern
ment to seize all food stuffs that
fair distribution may be assured. The
air is electrical with the spirit of war,
but London is prepared for what is
to come rather than demonstrating
over the events Of the present
On every hand funds are growing.
The Prince of Wales fund for the
care of those unable to meet the crisis
and the families of those who may
perish, now exceeds 100000. The
Red Cross fund has also reached an
enormous figure.
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