Evening star., 1914-08-16
TRANSITION TO WAR
|NEUR0PE SUDDEN

Details OF the exodus of American tour
lists from Germany and an idea OF how
sudden was the transition in that country
| from a peace to a war footing are con-
tanned in a letter received in this city
yesterday from Prof Franklin P. Mall OF
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
Mrs. Mall. who accompanied her hus-
band abroad this summer. was q Wash
ington woman, Miss Mabel Glover.
Notwithstanding a good deal of war
talk, this couple had not been alarmed or
thought it necessary to leave Germany
until the evening of July 81. when. upon
returning from walk in the suburbs of
Heidelberg, they found notices posted
that the city was under martial law. The
proprietor OF their hotel announced that
some of his walters had left for the
| army and that he himself must go in
two days and that foreigners had but
two days to reach the frontier before all
trains would be turned over to the
troops.
Stood for Seven Hours.
They tell how they had to stand for
! seven hours in the crowded train to
reach Cologne. They lost their baggage
and had only German money for their
trip. together with few dollars of Amer
lean money. both of which were refused
IN Belgium They could get no Belgian
money and their American funds were
refused for passage from Antwerp to
Harw1ch. An entire stranger came to
their rescue. giving them enough BelRian
money 70 pay their passage which was
on the last boat to cross the English
channel
Fortunately the American money was
n inh
ape TO reciprocate the favor Of their
peneIactreSS by paying her fare and
that OF her trained nurse
ihey reached London August 4 and on
.l Inns GATE wrote the letter Just received.
They found that their steamer, the Vad-
erland. was still scheduled to sail Au-
gust Y. The banks were closed until
August 7. but they had no difficulty in
getting hotel accommodations, and still
mad few American dollars to carry
them over that time. They found many
friends in line at the steamship office
without passage money or baggage
sickened at Thought of War.
I'VE have witnessed enough in the
agonizing scenes involved in the depar-
ture from various French towns of vol
unteers to sicken one at the thought Of
war and what it means" writes a
nephew of George A. Alexander of 1S4E
North Capitol street. This young man is
now safe in London. after an exciting
trip from Paris lasting more than
twenty-four hours, and his first letter
since the outbreak Of hostilities was re-
ceived yesterday.
England is preparing to do her full
part in the impending struggue," he con-
tinues. which promises to dwarf any
contest of forces in the worlds history
l look for Germany to score decided VIC
tories at the outset, but the strength
and vastness of Russia, with the aid of
France and England, should finally ex-
haust her.
1T is uncertain when we can return
Our plan is to sail on the Adriatic Au-
gust 20. but she may be withdrawn. and
we may have to select another passage.
At all events we are comfortable and
can stay until 1t suits us to return. We
have money. gold and exchange. ample
for our wants. Many Americans are
here, some in destitute circumstances.
and am glad the United States govern
ment is preparing for their relief"