Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-08-05
|NEWARKERS TELL RECENT
EXPERIENCES IN EUROPE
Supt Gfen of Hahne Co. Store, Was Hunted Through
Six Countries by War God-EmiI Hoffman Noticed War
Signs in Germany

A number of his friends visited him
at his studio today, to congratulate
him on his safe return. He had can
celed a number of engagements
abroad, so as to return to America
before the European conflict started.
on June IL Mr.. Holman sailed from
this country for an extended tour OF
England and GerrHany. Upon his ar
rival in England he lectured at the
Cambridge University. While passing
Spithead England, he wondered at
the large assemb1age of the British
fleet at that place.
While In Luxembourg the singer was
attracted by thousands of empty
freight cars which were stored in the
railroad yards there. This collection
of empty freight cars seemed to have
a sinister significance to him and he
made particular inquiries about the
international negotiations as he con-
tinued his tour.
In Leipzig, Germany, Mr.. Hoffman,
gave his last recital. On July 70,
while In that city, he met Otto Schaef-
fer, superintendent Of q large cotton
mill in that place. Mr. Schaeffer told
the singer that he was unable to get
coal for his factory. Then Mr.. Hot
mann decided that the crisis had ar
rived, and Immediately he made ar
rangements to come back to America.
Thought He Was Spy.
At 10 o'clock that night he started
back to London, but when he reached
Harwich, England, he was held up by
the customs officials at that place.
They evidently took me for a spy
at first" said Mr.. Holman, "but
did not have my passports with me.
While in England / attended the
funeral of Nine. Nordica and bought
a high silk hat for the occasion. l
did not want to purchase new nat
case, so got a secondhand one. The
initials on the hat case were c. E.
and when the customs officials saw
that they became suspicious,'
They examined everything / had
in my bags. including personal let
tiers. A map which I carried must
have excited their suspicious, also,
and they questioned me at great
length about that. They were very
intent on learning whether | had a
camera with me, and seemed relieved
when they found had none.
LUCKILY I had my citizenship
papers with me, and with these l
finally convinced them that / was
only a peaceful citizen. I had missed
the steamer ST. Paul which left Lon
QOi Olt Lilo VI July 49, 81 a
made arrangements to catch the
Vaterland, which sailed from Dover
at midnight thatNnight.
ION the voyage over we could tell
there was trouble brewing by the
number of wireless messages which
were being received. The strictest
secrecy was maintained about these
messages and no news of them was
placed on the bulletin board. AS we
neared the United States we passed
two ships which were in entire dark
ness. They were covered with can
vas and not a light showed from
them.
Having but a small amount of
funds with me 1 consider that I was
very lucky to get back. There are
hundreds of American school teach
ers stranded in Germany and how
they are going to get back cannot
see. | tried to communicate with
Wilhelm b. Hoelemann, principal of
the South Eighth Street School, who
was in Leipzig with his family, but
could not get In touch with him."
Sure Germany VIII Win.
Mr.. Holman Is very optimistic
about Germanys chances in the Eu-
ropean conflict. He is inclined to
think that Germany will first defeat
Russia, then France and then grap-
pie with England. The singer be-
lieves that Germany has so well
equipped herself that If she does not
succeed in besting England she will
at least create considerable havoc
before the German colors are low
cred.
The singer declared that Germany
did not bring on the conflict. He
said the assassination of the Arch
Duke Ferdinand of Austria and his
wife precipitated the trouble, but
that Russia had been plotting with
France for the downfall Of Germany
and they failed to catch the Kaiser
mapping.