Semi-weekly herald., 1914-10-26
The World Would be Appalled, if They
Knew the Extent Of Toll Exacted On
the War Stricken Continent
Many Americans in Europe at Outbreak
Of the Conflict Found Themselves
Stranded; u. S. Gold Discounted

About ten days preceding the time
that Europe was hurled from an ap-
parent state of profound peace into
n continental war, A. NJ. Camp, of
this city, on his extended tour of for
eign countries, arrived in that very
important diplomatic center, Tangier,
Morocco, city that is aptly designat-
ed as the pulse Of Europe" owing
Algerceris, it is governed by the rep
resentatives of five great powers,
Great Britain, Germany, France,
Italy and Spain, and reflects in its
very atmosphere the status of affairs
: of the continent which all these
are part. 1t was here that he first
learned that diplomatic relations in
Europe were strained, and crisis
was at hand, but at the worst he con-
sidered it would not be greater than
the one that precipitated the trouble
in the Balkan states.
Tarrying there but short time, he
sailed back to Gibraltar and thence
to Italy, arriving there July 27 Here
he found the papers filled with ru-
mors of war, but not one suggesting
that the turmoil was just ready to
burst forth. In the hotel where he
made hiseAead9uarssrs Germans, Aus
trians,S (ench and Swiss were among
the guests. The possibility of war
was, of course,-th tepic of conyer:
'sation around which ali interest cen
tered. Suddenly the Austrians re-
ceived their mobilization orders,
shortly after the Germans theirs and
then the French, leaving him alone
with the Swiss. After the mobiliza-
tion orders were issued, and even af-
ter the conflict was in progress, the
intense bitterness that might be ex-
pected was not in evidence Each
viewed the situation as inevitable anc
faced it stoically. Still some enter.
tanned the hope that war might be
averted even after mobilization was
complete.
While continental diplomats were
staging their theatrical performances
that were calculated to convince the
world they desired peace, and the
rulers were sending each other po.
lite and affectionately worded pro.
posals regarding the ways of untangl
ing the trouble, Mr.. Camp went south
Tor a few days, where he was out oi
communication with the press and die
not learn until he returned to Naples
August z, that war had been declared
Italy the Mecca for Stranded Tourists
Hundreds Of Americans who form
ed the army of tourists abroad, ant
who had found themselves caught il
the sudden furry of war, had flee
TO Italy, where peace was still main
talned- Many of them were tourint
Europe as members of personally con
quoted parties, and had paid thei
money over to the manager. Will
the unprecedented turn of events, h,
found himself bankrupt, and the Am
ericans were stranded in a strang,
land. Letters of credit had no value
IL was next to impossible to Obtain
money under any circumstances, eve,
American gold could only be dispose,
OF at very great discount. Man,
of our country's people were so PAM
stricken with fear that they felt i
Italy should be plunged in war the,
would probably be the first ones sac
rificed. But the American consul wa
very efficient, well organized and me
the situation With the as
sistance of the American COLONY /,
Naples, relief stations were forme,
with headquarters in different part
of the city. Quite as often word
to allay fear were needed as money
and by the ready action on the par
of the consular service and the relic
committees the condition of pani
gradually adjusted itself. But neithe
the American consuls nor the govern
ment of Italy had any desire to kee
them there. In fact, they were agree
they must be hastened TO the hom
country as quickly as transportatio
could be provided because Italy a
any moment might be plunged int
the conflict.
Transportation Troubles.
While mobilization had not or ha
not Is yet been completed in Ital,
the wheels of mobilization had bee
set In progress, more than half of tn
railroads had been suppressed and tn
trains wsrs being used for troop "a