The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-08-26
NOT PLEASANT
BEING CHASED
DR.. RALPH E. WEIBLE TELLS OF
EXCITING TIME GETTING OUT
OF EUROPE JUST BEFORE THE
WAR BROKE oUT-cHAsED BY
CRUISERS.

DR.. Ralph E. WeibIe, who has just
returned from New York, where he
had landed two weeks ago last Mon
day from Europe, gives a thrilling ac-
count of his experiences in the war
ridden continent and in crossing to
this side.
"Probably the most disquietirs ex-
p%erience of the entire series Of thrills"
said DR.. Weible, lis that of rushing at
full speed through a dense fog or an
ocean liner without a light, without a
bell or fog-horn sounding and not
knowing what moment something
would suddenly loom up directly in
front. Being chased by cruisers is
nothing compared to knowing the
chances of shipWreck hat were being
taken.
This happened about a DAY out OF
New York. 1t was night and we were
running along at the ordinary speed
Of something like sixteen knots an
hour. It was foggy and, while we did
not show running lights, one Of the
ports or ordinary lights we've covered.
The fog was quite heavy. About 8
o'clock, while we were on deck, one Of
the women in among the Passengers
noticed a peculiar glare in the fog on
one side of the ship. 1t looked some
1 n q ~ SllC'l OS vi
some of the lights on the vessel. The
woman who discovered the light first
called the attention of one of the ships
officers to it. He Immediately left and
evidently reported to the captain Of
the ship. A few moments later the
ships wireless got a message asking,
What ship is that?' Our ship replied
by asking what ship vas inquiring.
and to this there was no reply. l
learned all of his on shipboard but,
in order that my information should
be authentic, I asked the captain Of
the vessel about the occurrence just
as we were entering New York har-
Dor. He verified all as strictly au-
thentic.
after the discovery OF the light.
which We soon knew was that from a
searChlight of a war vessel try .ng to
search US out, l went to the smoking
room. and was talking wirh some Of
the passengers when I suddenly be-
came conscious that the boats en-
gineS seemed to be t~hrObbing harder
and faster. A steward came and lock-
ed the oor to the deck and put wood
en- shutters up to the glas SIS n even
plugged Up the Ventilators with cloth
in order that no light should show on
the outside. We did not steep much
that night, and went on deck soOn aft
er the steward plugged up Ill the OPP
enings in the smoking room and re-
manned there until about 2 o'clock, and
during that time a light, similar to
the one discovered by the woman on
deck earlier in the evening. appeared
on the other side Of the ship.
"Of urse we all later discovered
that we were being chased Ivy German
cruisers, as we crossed before the
British navy had cleared the line of
travel.
Il was certainly fortunate in Ieav-
ing Europe when I did. After attend
ing the clinic in London, which was
among the things that took me to Eu-
rope, I had planned on going to Berlin
to take Up a university course. I want
ed one particular thing in the course
and expected to be through with it in
a few weeks. I had written TO q pro-
lessor | knew there and asked him
to reply to me Immediately, relative
to my proposed course. waited In
London for a reply, but il did not
come, and I took a bunch from this. I
decided to remain in London until
July 80 and If l did not then receive a
reply to go on to Berlin any way july
80 came and, as no reply was received.
l went to the German consul in Lon
don n asked him if he thought il
would be advisable for me to 20 to
Berlin. He at first refused to commit
himself but after explaining my posi-
ton he Informed me hat if I did 60
I would probably have trouble in get
ting out and would likely have to take
an automobile or other conveyance to
the border. l decided Berlin was no
place for me and Immediately took
passage for the United States"
DR.. Weible say that the reason WHY
it was so difficult to take care of Am
erican n other tourists in Europe
was because of the suddenness with
which the war came. Il talked to sew