Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-25
LETTER FROM MUNICH
 WHILE WAR CLOUDS ROSE
Written by Mrs. Leslie BisseII, For nerly Miss Jane White of Norwich Town.

In a diary letter''i published this month in the Washington, D. C., Evening Star, a vivid picture of war conditions ill Germany is given which terest as the letter was written from Munich, Bavaria, by Mrs. Leslie Bis sell. whoo before her marriage, was Miss Jane H. White of Norwich Town, and who has been living in Germany for six years.
 Extracts from her letter follow:
 August 2, 1914.-I don't know when I shall be able to send you letter. wrote you a week ago, but fear that it will never reach you, as all mails Ithe past week have been irregular. Yesterday I sent you a postcard. writ ten in German and carefully worded, as that is the order here now-no sealed letters can cross the German border and all communications must be written in German.
 we are in the midst of an appaH- ing calamity and entirely cut off from friends and country! | shall write you something each day and at the first opportunity will send the letter. This terrible whirlwind of war has come so quickly, so suddenly. that it Is a1- most unbelievable and more like a nightmare than a reality.
 A week ago yesterday the full seri- ousness of the situation came upon us. There were demonstrations in the streets and cafes the entire day. Patri- otic songs were heard everywhere and speeches were made in the public squares. Great sympathy for Austria was expressed on all sides.
 The 6reathIess Wait.
 Through this past week events have followed each other with incredible rapidity: First, the mobilization of Austria, then the breathless wait for iServia'S answer to AustriaS ultima tum. every one hoping against hope that at the eleventh hour peace could be made. Then Servia's declaration of war came, then the anxious waiting for Russia's reply and the preparation of the German army.
 No answer from Russia! And then the order for the mobilization of Ger many. Again a terrible wait of twen- ty-four hours for Russia's answer to the German ultimatum-war declared! Oh, what the excitement has been this last week no words can express.
 For two days the food supply ran short with us. All mails are cut off: we have not had a. letter for more than a week. No telegrams or out side communications can be sent without off1cial permission, and then they must be written in German. All letters sent sealed are opened and read and returned to the sender. The banks are crowded with people wait Ing CO draw out aIl the money they have deposited. All trains are in use for the transportation of the soldiers.
 All to the Front.
 One cannot get out of Munich for love or naoneyi Soldiers are march ing to the balnhof (station) day and night. Every man under forty-hVe years of ago must go. Our baker, our butcher. our hausmeister--every one has gone to fight. Oh, the heart breaking leavetakings one sees on all sides! There is not German per son we know--servants, tradespeople or friends-who has not had to part with a father, or husband, or brother or relatives.
 Germany is caught in Q. 'Vise-Rus- sia, on one side, France on the other, and England threatening. Never has such 9. universal war threatened and how strange it Is that we should be here in the midst of it?' In the-mean- time there is nothing for lts to do but stay here and await events and pray over. Many Americans, transient vis- 200 at the American church today for the morning service.
 Face Terrors of War.
 August 3.---We are indeed begin ming to face the teFI Iors of war! Early this morning We were officially warn- ed not to drink the city water or even make tea and coffee with 1t, because the water supply has been found to contain poison. We are drinking Iuir- sra1 watar today. There are many,