Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-11-02
Strange Lands in War Time
: waiter a. n. Buohish In Columbia Hsws

r STARTED from Manila April 10 a six
i months leave OF absence securing before 1
started . correspondents appointment rom
the Manila Bulletin In order TO Of the war
conditions In the countries through which was to
pass The first part OF my trip took through
China. Korea and japan. Hong Kong was in full war
paraphernalis with the entire male population en-
listed either In the volunteer police reserve corps
Hotels running n losing basis; business had
declined considerably; and the clerks in the stores
performed their duties in khaki uniforms and with
rifles resting beside them All travellers entering and
leaving Hong Kong subject strict examination,
and passes everywhere necessary. The harbor IL
closed at shutdown. and searchlights play the
frances all night long.
China itself IL not concerned with the at ALL
It has troubles Of ts own. l at Peking while the
negotiations with japan going on, and found to
my surprise that the Chinese had fear Of their
more powerful neighbors 1t was common opinion
that. while Japan might beat China. Il could
conquer the latter. and defeat would simply the
loss Of few provinces that bound 10 sooner
or later anyway. The people preferred to put the
matter to the test OF war. and greatly angered
at the submission Of Yuan shih-kai During the
gotations II said that there fifteen
thousand japanese veterans In Pekng in plain clothes
ready for immediate action; and large armies had
been massed In Aanchuria and shantung in prepare
tion for march the capital Manchuria Is already
so Japanised that in Mukden the hotel will not
accept Chinese money any longer and all the trade
Is in the hands OF the Japanese. Russian influence
has been entirely displaced
Japan was. Of course. a. much disturbed over the
Chinese negotiations as China but in different
way The Japanese were firmly convinced that their
demands were In line with those that European o.
lions had In the past extorted from China and that
they had better right. through racial reasons, to
commercial supremacy in China than had the white
There considerable discussion regarding
Americas attitude in the matter. but the newspapers
expressed confidence In their country matter what
course the United States should assume. Interest
n WAY had lar dlado ant oxvipo %
the fall Of Tsingtau. and Germans we're still per
mtted TO carry their business through
out the empire. Ions they conducted themselves
discreety.
The second part OF my trip took me across the
Indian ocean, through the Suez canal to Europe
Singapore and Colombo showed signs Of the unrest
that had broken out shortly before in the form of
abortve Instructions The natives carried themselves
with cocky display Of Independence that little
short OF impairment. All white men, with few ex-
captions. had been enrolled the volunteer reserve
and were on guard day and night to prevent any
further disturbances There feeling of nervous
ness and uneasiness. apparent in both places which
was entirely justified by the suriy attitude of the
natives. Not long after leaving Colombo, we heard
that another Instruction broken out there and
been crushed with considerable loss OF life. There
are few regular troops warships in any Of these
coast ports that their defense devoves upon vol
unteers and Japanese cruisers.
In the Sues canal. across the first evil
dences OF actual warfare The whole canal is lined
on both sides with trenches barbed wire defenses
and the canal ia further guarded by French cruisers
and gunboats Aeroplanes fly up down the length
OF the canal day and night guarding against Turkish
surprises. At Suez. learned that large force of
Turks reported to be within miles OF the city
and the place In a state OF anxious suspense
Half way up the canal. at Ismaeya q battle was in
progress to the east and for hours could hear the
boom OF the could see the endorsements
hurried out to the line OF battle from the camps
stones throw from US.
spent about six weeks in Europe most OF It in
SPAIN made short trip to Paris and Switzerland
with the intention of visiting Germany but found 10
my disgust that while / could enter Germany would
probably not be permitted to leave within three or
four weeks. owing to movement of troop trains So
gave up the idea and returned to Spain There ia no
use trying to describe conditions In France or sWitz
erand, as that has already been In several hun
dred war books
Not so much has been reported regarding spain
IL may surprise some persons find that Spain IA
one OF the few countries of the world which Is pro
German. The king and conservative party (which "a
In controD are out and out the Teutonic allies
according to all indications although Spain is thus
Tar preserving strict neutrality Il was limited quite
openly that Spain was only waiting for favorable
turn OF affairs In order throw itself againat the
allies with the hope of gaining Gibraltar The liberal
party, which Is strong in the coast towns like Bar
celona and Valencia, is proally but it is at present
out of power.
Our Spanish mail steamer. in going from MALAGA
to Cadiz was stopped hour this side Of Gibraltar
by an English destroyer and forced to return IN the
harbor under the guns Of the rock fortress 70 und
examination Spanish and Dutch boats are suspected
or furnishing German submarines with supplies and
are therefore very Hgdly searched for contraband
otherwse the trip was uneventfu and we arrived al