Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-14
IN STIRRING ExPERIENcEs
 WHILE IN GERMANY
Arthur N. Burke Was in kaiser's
 Realm in War Time.

Arthur N. Burke, acting principal of Waltham, Mass, high school, was among the tourists who had some stir ring experiences while abroad this summer. MT. Burke is native of Norwich. son the late Horace Burke, a Civil war veteran. With his mother, Mrs. George Reynolds, his home is now in Walthan1. When in Norwich they resided on Chestnut street. MT. Burke was graduated from the Norwich Free Academy in 'S5.
 For several years he has taken par ties of teachers and others abroad each summer. This year they started late in June and arrived home Sunday, Sept. 6. There were 13 Waltham mem bers in the party.
 Alter reaching Italy they began to near of the general unrest in Europe, but saw nothing of it, so were not con- cerned. In Lucerne Switzerland, how ever. on July 30. travelling parties com- ing from Germany reported that country in a state of active mobiliza- be seen, that all railway station=, bridges, culverts and tunnels were se- eurely guarded. Later they learned that Germany had begun to mobilize some five days before she declared war against any nation.
 Instantly all Europe was up in arms, every phase of civic and political &C., tivity became disorderly and irregular.
 AS Switzerland, though neutral country, was surrounded on all sides by countries destined to become in- volved in the awful struggle, and as her own troops began at once to mo- bilize to protect Ter neutrality, the Burke tourists decided to get out if possible and to England.
 The Paris route was the shortest; 1; but learning that Paris was all con- fusion. the tourists finally decided to try for Holland. This meant a dash directly across Germany. But on the route where their tickets would take thert no trains were running, except military trains.
 The only line open was that by the Flils of the Rhine and the Black Forest
 The tourists started at 6 a. m., and all went well until they reached the German border. Here their train was halsed and a German official announced that only German citizens would be permitted to proceed. The travellers got off the train, which slid away and left them. 37 fcrlorn mortals, with 42 suit cases, beside the track, a quarter of a mile from the station.
 Marooned in Station.
 MT. Burke, being the only member of the party who spoke German, went back and secured permission for the tourists to go to the station. Not a porter was in sight-aIl had gone to the war. It was noon, but there was no lunch counter. All German stations are surrounded by fences, and the par ty was not permitted to go outside They were, however, given permis- sion to send to a small hotel across the street for food. The travellers soon exhausted the entire Supply-except beer. MT. Burke stated that an ex- hausted beer supply would be an inn possibility in any German hotel, even in war time!
 Rode in Cattle Car. . After several hours orders were re- ccived to let the Americans proceed The next train was a small one ana was packed: but the station master put on two freight cars, one of them z cattle car. The party piled in theil suit cases and used them for seats. They soon had to change at a crowd ed station. In the awful rush three suit cases were left on the platform At the next station the assistant con. ductor left to go back for them Neither guard nor cases was seer again!
 Arrived at a. m. After all sorts of hardships and con | fusion, the party reached WiesbadeI at 1.S0 a. n., six hours late. As nc | carriages were about, they walked tt their hotel, succeeding in rousing thu night porter, who awakened the pro | prietor. The latter prepared hast! | lunch for the tired, hungry, dirty late l corners.
 Not a Boat on the Rhine. As the following day was to be tht | last for regular passenger trains il | Germany, they made an early start bJ | train for Cologne along the banks O | the Rhine, where not a passenger boa. was running. Every factory and near l ly every store was closed. Women anC l children crowded to the fence at ever. | station. Trains crowded with German | soldiers came and went. The countr- | was war mad. Every man between 1!
 and 45 had been ordered to his regi
 ment. The pathetic partings at ever. | station were heart-rending. | Cologne was crowded with soldiers | and frantic people. But to the Burk' tourists surprise. their hotel was opel
 and ready for them. They tarried onl! | long enough to get one square meal
 then started for Amsterdam. l A MereifuI Landlord. | V..