Arizona republican., 1915-09-14
ELOQUENT TALK
 ON THE BIG WAR
 BY PHOENIX BOY
George Fred Spaulding Is Home from Front-Tells of Scenes Behind Lines in War Stricken Belgium - Good Crowd Attends.

Before an audience that comfort ably filled the high school auditor ium. George Fred Spaulding former Phoenix boy now a Rhodes scholar at Oxford University. told of his ex- periences in war stricken Belgium.
 At the time was was declared Spaulding was in Germany, at a small town near the famous Kiel canal where the German high seas fleet is now interned. Prior to the declara- tion of war he told how he witnessed the review of that fleet, at which a goOdly sized English fleet was pres ent. He graphically described the good feeling between the sailors of the two countries, how at that time they drank each others health and a few weeks later were out in the North sea seeking and obtaining each others blood.
 Immediately upon the declaration of war, he was called before the chief of police of the German town at which he was sojourning. and asked to give an account of himself He in formed the official that he was an American, and not an Englishman whereupon the chief told him a great deal more about his travels around Germany. than Spaulding really knew himself. By the aid of the German family with which he had been stay ing. he was enabled to prove his iden- tity. By staying in the country until the panic had subsided among his stranded countrymen, he got out with out any difficulty.
 MT. Spaulding, who speaks with the authority of experience, then elaborat- ed upon the sufferings of the Bel giums. He was among the first of the Rhodes scholars to volunteer for this work of mercy, and his experi- ences were narrowing, amusing and instructive. as the occasion came.
 He told his audience that about nineteenth of the Belgiums had re- mained in their country. and that un- doubtedly they have been and are still suffering more than their coun- trymen who fled before the German advance.
 Contrary to general opinion in this country, MT. Spaulding had no trou- ble with the German military organi- zation. and a glowing tribute was paid by him to the officers of the German army. who did every thing
  pedite his work.
 The people of Belgium are very grateful to the United States, said MT. Spaulding On the first of the year. one of the most remarkable de- monstrations of gratitude that has ever come to the knowledge of the world. occurred when thousands of Belgiums, went to the American em- haGGV and fhpra nrpGpnfpd the bassador, Brand Whitlock with small tokens of their regard, in the shape of flowers and notes.
 He was assigned by the relief com mittee to the southern part of Bel gium. in a province where lived 1,350,- 900 souls, all practically dependant on the bounty of the American people for their food. The supplies sent to him for distribution, consisted main ly of flour and in spite of the fact that they were passing out 600 tons day the ration that each person obtained was only half of what is called a starvation ration.
 In speaking of the hatred of the Germans. MT. Spaulding said that in his estimation, equally as much hatred was extant in England, and though perhaps it did not appear on the surface. it was there just the same. This hate, he explained, was more noticeable and prevalent among the non combatants, than among the men on the firing line. In fact, it has been found necessary to chance the men in the front trenches very often, to prohibit their getting too closely acquainted, and spelling their fighting efficiency
 Many illustrations were shown, de- picting the different cities through which he travelled, and the ruins which they are now in.
 His homeward trip on the Orduna, came in for a graphic description. How the passengers rushed to don life preservers, and how the sub marine which futily attempted to torpedo the liner then shelled it in