Semi-weekly herald., 1914-08-24
There are six thousand American,

There are six thousand Americans
in the city and all wear pinned to
their breasts small American flags.
The scenes at the embassy in the few
days Immediately after the deciara-
tion of hostilities were stirring.
Enormous crowds Of Americans and
British besieged the building endeav-
oring to register. Every attsehe Of
, the embassy assisted by score OF
volunteers hastily pressed into SER
vice, was put to work. Lines were
formed extending far down the street
and the work of registration was hur-
ried as much as possible.
Officials from the war office ak
planned to Ambassador Gerard that
they could not aid him in getting his
nationals out of Germany until the
mobilization was complete because Of
the necessity of the government COM
Wandering the railroads. But they
promised trains--and steamers il the
warning nations would guarantee safe
conduct-so soon as the troops had
been conveyed to their stations. As
soon as the mobilization was complet-
ed on Thursday they furnished spe-
cial train on which the first INSTALL
ment of Americans was sent to neu-
tral port. They also promised that
other special trains would be put Mt
the disposal of the ambassador as
soon as possible.
Now as to how Berlin accepted the
war and the scenes in Berlin are typi-
cal of what has happened in every
German city. There has been no wild
excitement. The wave of patriotism
that swept the country affecting all
classes did not result in any one de-
ceiving themselves as to the terrible
task confronting the Fatherland.
There were street parades, of course,
but they were quiet affairs, and the
emperor in person addressed some of
the crowds from the balcony of the
palace. The spirit of the people is
one of quiet determination. The ma
tional colors are shown from every
flagstaff and from every house. Men
and women alike wear small flags on
their breasts.
The news from the front is meager.
Only the brief bulletins issued by the
general staff which refer in terse Ian
guage to movements, and the lists of
the varified casualties are published.
Only after the names and residences
are varified are the lists of those slain
published and this is necessarily "a
slow procedure. Crowds hang around
the various public places where the
bulletins are posted waiting-silently
waiting--for the word from the front
that may mean so much to them.
Naturally there is preponderance
of women in the streets. But the
heart wrenching developments is the
rapid increase of the women wearing
deep mourning. Where week ago
bright colors predominated now hun
dreds Of the women are in deep black.
rhey are of all ages from the aged
grey-haired house-frau to the frau
lein of tender years. AS they meet
they try vainly to comfort each Other
while those who are still hoping their
loved ones are to be spared watch
them in white faced wonder, real
izing full well that the next official
list may contain the names of some
one dear to them.
1t has been suggested that the wo-
men cease wearing mourning as al
outward symbol of sorrow. Leading
Berlin women have taken up the sug
gestion and it is now being consider
ed.
The general staff is in constant
touch with the front. There is nc
evidence of encouragement. True
the resistance of Belgium had been
uhuefestliiiutcu DuI tne OeIiidl uIHiy
is now in action and the general for
ward movement is declared to be in
progress along the lines originally
laid down.
There is absolutely no news from
the fleet. Rumors of action have
been circulated but up to the pres
ent none is confirmed and the gen
eral staff declines to comment on
them.
The sinking of the Koenigin Luise
was bulletined simultaneously with the
announcement of the sinking of the
British cruiser Amphion.
The lists of the dead and wounded
are first made public by being posted
at the information bureau at the min
istry of war. This is the saddest
place in Berlin. Scenes are being
enacted there that try mems souls.
A score of times daily, mother, a
wife, a sister comes through the doors
into the street weeping convu,sively,
or shaken with sobs. But the major
ity of the Germen women accept their
grief with Spartan courage while in