The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1914-08-26
DR.. Siggins, Marooned In London, Has
Tough Time Getting Home.
[On City Blizzard. Monday.l

That was the remark of Mayor J. Sig
gins, as he alighted from the Washington
sleeper this morning at III clock, after over
a weeks roughing it on the way from Lon
don here
DR.. Siggins said the scenes in London
bafiled description. Everybody is war mad
and suspicious of every one else. The
plight of thousands of Americans, who are
stranded there, most of them without a
cent, is pitiable indeed, and the problem of
existence, until some relief can be afforded
them, is staring them in the face. English
gold is the only purchasing medium, and
travellers checks and similar paper, pos
sesed by most of the Americans, is abso-
lutely useless. Food is hard to get, even
with English money, and the hotels are all
as practically shut down as they are in Oil
City, as most of the help there is foreign
and Immediately, on the reports of war,
departed in haste.
When the big crash came, along with the
announcement of war, DR.. Siggins, in adj
dition to his travellers checks, had half a
pound in English gold. All the banks shut
automatically, and remained shut. DR..
Siggins was forced to make his half pound
go far as it would. After that was gone he
involuntarily tasted for about three days.
DR.. Siggins was staying at the Waverly, one
of the largest hotels in London, and in re-
sponse to an inquiry as to where something
to eat might be had, the manager answered
that he did not know, but Mr.. Siggins could
look around and forage for himself
Everything and anything can be seized
by the government without enumeration
or explanation. DR.. Siggins saw all sorts
of vehicles and horses seized, and at one
time was planning to go out into the coun-
try when he heard commotion below and
beheld soldiers leading 30 horses out of the
stables of the hotel.
The American Express company did
wonders towards alleviating the suffering of
the distressed Americans by cashing their
paper for English gold, giving as much as
they could for it. At first the limit was $40
but later dropped to $40. DR.. Sggins said
the lines of Americans waiting for this all
"NAN piONho III lChBtlli anu llluJ llG Ollcl
stood for hours in this line hopiug to get
chance to cash some of his paper.
The Great Eastern railroad of England
is managed by an American, who did all
he could towards helping the stranded tour
lists. In addition to carrying them, he
caused notices to be posted in every hotel
that the American Express company would
cash the travellers checks.
To be seen with camera in London, or
to be taking more than casual interest in
anything, military or otherwise, places
foreigner under the surveillance of shad-
ow almost Immediately. An American
who wanted picture of the docks at Lon
don, snapped them, and when he turned
around he found bayonet tickling his
nose. He had hard time proving that he
was not spy.
DR.. Siggins related another instance
When woman doctor of their party, who
spoke French, translated telegram from
English into French, for Frenchman, who
had discovered in some way that the lady
spoke French. Next day she read in one
of the London newspapers an account of
the execution of spy and his description
tailed exactly with the man for whom the
translation was made.
Ten thousand American tourists left Lon
don on Saturday, August 10, some with
baggage and more without. Mayor Sig
gins was aboard the st. Louis and said that
the struggles of the frantic Americans to
get aboard were terrible Wives were sepa-
rated from their husbands and families were
torn apart. In one instance which came
under his observation a woman was separa-
ted from her husband. He was left behind
and she was aboard the boat, with out cent
of money and ignorant of his whereabouts.
Another instance took place where a wo-
man had only enough money for her pass
age to the States, and about to get aboard
when it was discovered that her baby had
measles. Weeping she was led back and
must go to a London hospital until the
child has recovered.
Conditions on board ship were terrible.
DIR. Siggips came across in the steerage and
the vsSA. was greatly overloaded. Accom-
modat were to be had for 1000 at most,
includingthe crew, and ,26O were crowded
aboard the craft. The crew was entirely
green, all the seasoned hands having been
seized by the naval authorities. Had fire
occurred the entire shipload would have
perished, as the purser told DR.. Sggins that
the crew could not even get one of the life
hpats tha 81 lata b.,
save the passengers. The stewards and pur-
sers were in collision, and graft was the
rule of the hour. EXhorbitant prices were
charged for everything and the passengers
of the tirst-class were barefacedly robbed |
by these officers. The food in the steerage |
was rank and most of the passengers there
had to pass it up. Once in while at the |
beginning of the voyage one of the first
class passengers would appear with roast
duck or other delicacy. Instantly he was
surrounded by horde of fellow passengers
who begged for little piece of the tempting
morsel. DR.. Siggins said that often he
dreamed of the big meal he was going to
have just as soon as he reached New York.
Ironically enough, upon his arrival he lost
his appetite, and has not recovered it yet.
BObre leaving he laughed at the idea of
dieting to reduce weight. The return trip
alone cost the doctor 20 pounds, and now
he is wiser in the lore of theory versus
practice.
The Atlantic is full of English cruisers
and DR.. Siggins sighted 10 of them coming
over. On seeing the st. Louis these cruisers
would steam up to her at full speed, and,
after seeing that she was a neutral ship,
would sheer off. DR.. Siggins said that there
are thousands of American tourists in Eng