The Washington times., 1914-11-28
THE BEST
Photoplay Department in
WASHINGTON
Camera Man ReciteS
His Experiences
in Europe'S
War Zone

Several times there have been
statements printed in this column
that there were no real pictures
Of the European war on the market.
Promise was made that when au-
thehuc pictures were received here
notice would be given. Such notice
can be given now. A series Of real
war pictures with at least two
actual battle scenes has reached
this country. and will no doubt be
publicly exhibited in this city short
ly. A private exhibition of them
was given at the National Press
Club few days ago. The pictures
were made by the photographer Of the
Chicago Tribune. J. C. Weigel, who
risked his life on the firing line to
get them. There are several other
films of war scenes reaching the
country also. but the Weigel-Tri-
bune pictures are the only actual
battle films that are here, SO far
as is known. Most Of the news PIC
torial companies are showing au-
thentic views OF the European
armies that have been made since the
war began. The scenes show some
of Belgium, France, England. and
Holland. A set of films made un-
der the auspices Of the German gov
ernment Is on its way here, but so
far as is known. has not yet been
exhibited.
The difficulties that have beset the
camera man In his attempt TO film
the war. which show why there are
no more war pictures. are graphical
ly described in an article in Motog-
hN Agnc 0f
the daring camera men Of the
Hearst-Selig News Pictorial.
The old adage has it that every
picture tells a story" Mr.. Mason
begins. but recent experiences
have taught me that this does not
necessarily mean the whole story.
have just made tour OF Hol-
land in quest Of pictures and my
experiences there have convinced
me that it is easier TO get pictures
in a country where war Is being
waged than in state whose neu-
trality renders the surveillance Of
the movements OF strangers infinite
ly more stringent than any TO which
! have been subjected In Belgium
or France.
with Belgium in the hands OF
the Germans I turned to Holland
in the hope OF finding a fruitful
field Of operations. The kindly
Dutch are showing extraordinary
and practical sympathy with the
Dutch authorities are taking no
risks of being guilty OF any breach
Of neutrality and, in passing, !
would tell you that the Dutch
people, as a whole community, are
all on the side OF the allies. More
titute and homeless, have sought
safety in Holland and it is hardly
possible to tell in words the strain
this has put upon the resources OF
this little country.
"In Flushing II was impossible to
get sleeping accommodation. and a
mattress in an attic was all / could
white bread is not to be found in the
country, and the suppl OF black
bread Is limited. | left Flushing
the day after my arrival and trav-
eled by train to Alkmaar, where the
German prisoners are interned. AK
maar is situated on the western
coast Of Holland farthest from the
German frontier There are some
hundreds of Germans in the COM
pounds here, and was greatly i'm
pressed by their general cheerfulness.
even when the weather was vile
enough to sadden the most CHEEKY
optimist.
"Evidently being interned in a
Dutch compound is not at all a dis
agreeable experience. Each day
squads Of these prisoners are taken in
parties of about fifty for long walks,
IN charge Of two Dutch guards. The
men are more or less placed on
parole and they make no effort TO
escape, for they arc as far away
from the German border as the
Dutch authorities can put them. At
this time of the year Holland is a
dismal country for the 'sea-fret'
from the North sea and the Zuyder
Zee covers the country with haze
which casts a sort Of pail of depres-
sion all over the place. And. by the
way. this haze Is not beloved or the
photographer. No permits are given
by the Dutch authorities for the
taking of photographs. but the Of
ficers are sometimes subject 10 an
attack of temporary blindness.
II left Alkmaar for Enkhuzen and
crossed the Zuyder Zee in "A fishing
smack to Stavoren. journey which
took three hours and was made in a
drenching rain. Thence ] proceeded
TO LeeuWarden. where II was with
difficulty that ] convinced the hotel
proprietor that ! was not spy.
An early start next morning brought
m" to Gronincen. on the German bor-
der. where the English prisoners arc
located. My entry into this town