Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-10

Worn and haggard from his experiences
in the European theatre OF war. Simon
Berrin, the first Belgian refugee to reach
this port, landed from the steamship
Merton, of the American Line, today.
Many other passengers. mostly Ameri
can tourists and English subjects fleeing
from the war, were aboard.
Berrin was by far the most sought
after passenger in the first cabin. He
told of tragedy and sorrow for strug-
Cling little Belgium and how he had
been forced to flee for his life when the
Germans took Antwerp, his native city.
Once he barely escaped death.
Caught by the aerial raid on Antwerp,
In the middle OF night, he fled for his
life. believing the entire city was about
10 be devastated by the monsters that
hovered above the city
The night was as calm as a summer
evening"" he said. I'VE went to bed
believing we were safe. About o'clock
in the morning 1 was awakened by
terrible din. Men, women and children
were screaming and at brief intervals
there was binding nash and deafen-
ing explosion.
SEE BOMB THROWN.
'The crowds were panic-stricken and
terror seemed to freeze them. We could
not see the dirigibIes. Onco some of US
caught a glimpse OF a huge black
object passing over. As 1t went We
saw a faint break of fire, then ter
rinc explosion. 1t was a bomb and had
struck on the very next street. Finally
the bombardment ceased. How long did
It last? 1 can't say. 1 didn't seem TO
realize.
''The next morning men gathered to
search for bodies. Fifteen were found.
Two houses had been demolished. Many
other houses were damaged. but how the
city escaped can never tell"
Berrin declared. despite denials, that
Russians are aiding the Allies in France
and Belgium. He said Russians had ma
terIally aided the Belgians in preparing
the defense OF Antwerp, and that he had
talked to them. Having spent a time in
Russia he could converse with them, and
declared that they had told him they
had been sent by the Government. He
said they were surprised to learn that
the Allies were trying to keep It
secret.
When word finally came that the Ger
mans were nearing the city. he said
thousands OF residents rushed to the
coast Others quickly followed upon
orders from the Belgian Government and
were transferred to England on warshtps
and In fishing smacks-
with the little money Berrin had saved.
ne bought passage on the Merton for
America. He was met here by his brother
from New York and left Immediately for
fhs metropolis, where he viii live until
the war Is over. Then he hopes to return
20 Belgium and open his tailoring shop
The Merton had fairly good voyage.
Captain ". W. HickBon said that when
about two days out the ship eneoun-
tered rough weather, but besides this
the voyage was uneventful. The ship
brought a light general cargo.
Two young women came here TO meet
their fancss and win be married. Ida
finpson Is years old, will marry c. w.
IIodgeson, so North Wedges street. The
other Is Lizzie O'Connor, % years old.
who win marry Peter Farrell. PA Ok
ford street.
Among the cabin passengers was Mrs.
Julia Hutten. wife or Allen Hutten, OF
tns North 5th street She had been visit
lne in England ana saw little OF the war
zone. London. she said Is nlled with
tents for the Belgian refugees. who are
arriving on every ship. Their plight Is
terrible
LIGHTS BANNED IN LONDON.
Mr. and Mrs. dardon wild. who viii
appear at Keith's Theatre were also
aboard Orders were issued In London
rteeatiy prohibiting theatres from OPEN
10 at night There - not light IN the
rlfg. they said. and sven the tram ears
lausl blanket" windows to prevent the
ll4ht from showing.
Hrs Martha Quinn, OF Leeds and hSr
two chilaren. Frank, Is years old. and
Jennie. 8 years old, told graphic story
- fne arrival Ia her home city OF thou
sands Of refugees from Belgium. She
&ld the municipal art galiery, city hail
ana Dther public buildings have been
Transformed into places u lodging for
ne stricken people. They came at the
st6 81 80 3 night None 0f them car
ea any iuesa6e apart from small
narale hastily snatchad ~ they left their
esh Blandeu 81 i58 North smedley
4st 3 returning cabin passenger told
8. - attempts 70 anlisf % an English
.neaf ea7ps and 81 being refused. He
~ 1nerad ne aatd. place ~ .
c1e cagps And So bakers
t lhe people nf London are appre-
4s 1T Geraanv tatltl ~ threat o
fd fhe e|fF fFQn 1eppenns HAz
4f eaa kIfs tFne4t tiaHfref.