The Washington times., 1914-08-19
CAPITAL RESIDENTS
TELL OF WAR SCENES

Back from the war zone, a number
of Washingtonians today recounted
experiences in turbulent Europe, and
in returning to this country on ever
crowded transatlantic liners.
Having travelled under fortunes
smile for several weeks, Isaac Cans,
we'll known in Washington business
circles, and Mrs. Cans are back in
Washington, having reached New
York on the Nieuw Amsterdam, which
locked In New York Monday night.
We were on the high seas when
England declared war" Mr.. Cans said
today, and on reaching London found
that city In an uproar, with thousands
of persons from all sections of the
globe gathered there and seeking &C
commodations. l had written before
a room, but. of course, 1 did not ex-
pect to find that room reserved under
the conditions that prevailed. Conse-
quently, / was much surprised when
on asking for my room l was told that
ii was ready for me.
Hundreds of other Americans were
in distress, because their travellers
checks were of no value. Gold was the
only American money that was recog-
nized. Here again 1 was fortunate, hav-
ing secured 500 in gold just before
left New York. I did not suffer any
hardships other than the worry about
leaving England, but I saw many
Americans who were in distress.
Mr.. Cans and his wife boarded the
Nieuw Amsterdam at Plymouth, where
the vessel had made special stop to
pick up Senator Duncan U. Fletcher, Of
Florida, and a delegation from the
Southern Commercial Congress.
Senator Fletcher was at the White
House today. and after a conference
with the President, described his ex-
perience to friends in the executive Of
fee. He declared that the Austro-Ser-
Wan controversy was but SURFACE
cause. The real reason, he said, was to
be found in the ancient quarrels of
nations and in the ambition OF monarchs
and peoples to maintain positions in
the family of governments, and to de-
fend boundaries fixed by the stern
arbitrament Of the sword in other
generations"
On Side of Truth.
your great country will always be
on the side of truth and Justice" were
the words of the project of police of
Paris, addressed to Ambassador Her
rick when he first heard of the declara-
ton Of war against Servia by Austria
Hungary. according to DR.. Clarence ].
Owens, managing director Of the South
ern Commercial Congress, who re-
turned to Washington this morning. He
was a passenger on the Nieuw Amster-
dam.
I'VE were in Paris at the time" he
said. Ambassador Herrick was giving
gates from the United States to the
Convention Of Municipal Executives,
which had been held in London. The
members of the American Chamber OF
Commerce were there, together with the
three projects of Paris. many of its
La rif a number
higher French officials.
I'm the midst of he ceremonies
message was handed to the ambas-
sador He read it, His hand was
raised to command silence. and there IN
that brilliant assemblage he read the
official announcement of the declara-
ton of war. The gathering quickly
broke UP, with officials hurriedly de-
parting for their respective Offices"
Cable advices from London report
Carey Sanger, former Assistant Sec
rotary of War. who had been in AK
la-Baines.
To Sail Saturday.
Mrs. Ollie James. wife of Senator
James, will sail from London Satur-
day for this side in company with
Mr.. and Mrs. Post Wheeler. Mr..
Wheeler is compelled to return to
America in order TO reacn MS oIHCe
as first secretary to the American
embassy at Tokyo.
The American consul general at
Genoa has reported that 5000 Ameri-
cans will obtain transportation from
there before the end of August.
Surg. Gen. Dwight Dickinson. U. S.
N, is among those now in Berlin.
Maggie At st. Moritz.
Charles Maggie. former Secretary Of
Commerce, is at st. Moritz.
Harry wardman, the Washington
builder, is at the Hotel Majestic, Har-
rogate, near London. with Mrs. Ward
nina he expects to return to this coun-
try about September /.
Efforts are being made to locate the
Rev Peter P. Archer. S. j.. director
of the astronomical observatory of
Georgetown University. who was visit
ing observatories in Austria and
France.
II. W. Draper. principal Of the Mon
roe School, together with the party of
twenty that accompanied him. have
been located in London. They expect
to sail for this side tomorrow.
James Leslie, of this city, Is at Muir
emberg. according to the cabled re-
port of the American consul at that
point.
BRYAN Again Pleads