Evening journal., 1914-08-24

steamer ~. Louis, from LlNefpOOl,
England. accompanied by l.. Irving
Handy, Miss Margaret Handy and
William H. Hill. and who arrived at
their homes ia this city yesterday,
has an interesting story to relate re-
garding their experiences in the war
ridden country.
Contrary to most Wiimingtonians
who have returned from Europe, how
ever, Mr. Kurtz, Mr. Handy and Miss
Handy were not compelled to cut
their European tour short, as they had
intended to return on the ST. Louis,
even had the war not occurred. They
were prevented from taking their con-
templated trip over the continent, and
we're compelled to spend their three
weeks Of Europe in the vicinity OF
London
Mr.. Kurtz said this morning that
he and Mr. and Miss Handy left Will
mington on July II, and intended to
spend three weeks on a European
tour leaving on the st. Louis on Au-
gust 15 from Southampton. That port
was closed, however, and the ship
sailed from Liverpool instead
They arrived in London on July
%, and we're not entirely unprepared
for the news of the war. as they
had learned by wireless on the ship
during the voyage over that Austria
and Servia we're having serious
trouble. This news. however, had
come as a clap Of thunder from
clear sky
When they reached London they
decided not to take in the trip over
the continent, as the war was then
threatening. and a week later the war
was declared
Mr. Kurtz stated that there was
not much excitement in London after
the war was declared, ard that little
difference could be seen on the
streets except the extras that were
sold.
I'VE heard less war news in Eng
land than you do here" said Mr.
Kurtz The newspapers there are
censored and you can hear nothing of
the location of the armies and fleets,
and nothing concerning their move
ments. The dispatches are all CEN
sored and anything indicating that
the enemy has been successful is
largely omitted from the papers"
Mr.. Kurtz stated that there were
not many soldiers i'm London, but lots
of them were seen i'm Liverpool, and
before leaving that port they under
stood that the train service had been
interrupted and would be utilized by
the government for the movement of
the troops.
There were 600 cabin and 700 steer
age passengers on the ST. Louis, he
declared. and most of the zoo steer
age passengers were wCll-to-do per-
sons, who had tickets on other steam
ers that were withdrawn The Will
mingtonians were fortunate, how
ever. as they were booked to return
on the 81. Louis. and had secured
excellent staterooms in advance.
Discussing his trip, Mr.. Handy said;
81 am, of course, glad to be home
again ! have had good vacation; an
! interesting summer trip, and am bacl
feeling rested aud eager for any work.
81 met a good many Ameyican tour
lists and listened to their tales of woi
about the discOmforts which the grea'
war brought to travellers. But somehow
my mind refuses TO consider such ac
counts very seriously. Discomforts o
! tourists are all mild and inconsiderabll
when one thinks of the sufferings of tn,
! people at war.
Nothing impressed me more during
my whole trip than the sight of a thous
and raw recruits at the Castle IN Ches
ter, England. They were big boys anC
/ Young men, -till dressed in their every.
/ day clothes. Their uniforms were to hl
/ given 10 them in the future. Thel
could not march in step. They wer'
Just a thousand boys not vet Britisl
soldiers. stood out with the civil
ians who were peering through the irol
fence. was surrounded by women
who had tears running down thei
checks and were talking to one ano
other about their sons Who had en-
listed for the war;
"n France, Belgium, Germany ant
Austria the soldiers are not merel
boys who have enlisted; but they ar
all of the boys in the land, for al
have been compelled to go and all &
the younger men are also there o
the continent of Europe there are no.
about sixteen millions of men arme
with the deadly weapons of moder
warfare, fercely contending for Oh
victory. It is the greatest and blooC
lest disaster which civilization ha
ever met and as | think about ii d
not feel that il matters much wheth'
tourists have money or not; wheth'
their ships are sailing on schedule {
not. whether they so day or tv
without food or not
"This great war has appeared 70 nj
entirely unnecessary The rulers WI
have brought it on must make a
awful accounting somewhere and
due time. In this country we ha'
every reason to be grateful for q
peace which we now enjoy. We a
the envy of tine people Of huf0n
President Wilson and his great Sc
retary of State are entitled TO q
praise for their policy of peace"
Mr. Hllfs Experiences.
William H. Hill. former editor
The Morning News. in the course of
long article in that newspaper
day. tells OF war experiences. He sa
Mr.. Handy and Mr. Kurtz shared the
stateroom on the ST. Louis with him
assist him i'm getting back. He adds
Love for the Flag.
"The st. Louis, of the American lin
was scheduled for August 10. and ne
er before had there been such 10
shown for a boat floating the Anne
can flag
"He told of arrangements bel
= changed so that the st. Louis was
, sail from Liverpool instead of sOui
ampton. and all were advised TO
there.
Mr.. Hill adds:
Silent In StOrcrOOm.