South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-05-17
LATER.

/ nearly forgot 10 menlOu Il man
who was the most interesting of all
the passenger list; TO talk to, at any
rate He Is Mr. Robinson, news ed
itor Of the Philadelphia Enquirer. and
a fine old gentleman of the old school;
tall. erect, courteous and with a fine
dignity. His history is rather inter-
esting Thirty years ago he came 70
America as a member OF Lily Lang
trys English company subsequently
he found himself penniless in Phila-
delphia. and without a friend in the
country. SO he thought. BY strange
coincidence. however, he encountered
an old English acquaintance, and it
was through the latter that Mr.. Rob
inson secured his first newspaper as
signment. He has been a newspaper
man ever since
Although he has made himself in
conspicuous throughout the voyage,
Mr. Robinson seems to know about
everyone and everything on board
How he discovered so much is a myS-
terry TO me- 1t was through him that
1 learned we have an international
character with us: l was told this only
on condition that I would not men,
ton the mans name, nor his mission.
Later Mr.. Robinson and l had several
chats with the parsonage, and we both
concluded that he was a great dtsap-
pointment. One would never suspect
he was a man of such Importance
Talk Of Submarine Rife.
We are now nearing the Irish coast.
Talk of submarines and mines is
rife. There is a great deal of nervous
ness among the women. I was told
that last night a young Scotch dom
inee sat up till daylight holding hands
with and comforting the anxious. As
the dOminee is a very engaging per-
son. the extent Of the anxiety of some
of the native young women on board
is a matter for speculation. But 1t
was a good arrangement and seemed
to have worked out nicely. There is
some advantage in being a Scotch
dOminee.
Whether it is merely custom. or
on account of possible fog. or as
precaution against disaster, the water
tight bulkhead doors between the sew
eral sections of the ship are kept
closed. and passengers are obliged to
use the emergency exits Ny state
room. being on the outside and not so
very far above the water line. strikes
me as being a handy spot for tor
pedO to come nosing in. This would
give me an excellent opportunity TO
observe it's effect at close hand. but
should be willing to fOrego the pleas
ure and let someone else tell me
about it.
Last night was music and gaiety
and dancing: in the midst of it the
searchlight of a torpedo boat signalled
US to show our colors; the light was
turned on old Glory-a magnificent
spectacle in the darkness-and we
we're allowed TO proceed A battle
cruiser then escorted us up the coast;
we could see only one or two small
lights on her. but she was quite near.
After landing / was told that Rus
sian vessel was sunk within 10 miles
of Us about O'Clock on Saturday
morning
I'm Dangerous Waters.
Passing the Welsh coast. a torpedo
boat glides around and around us; it
is a thrilling sight-lOng, lean and
marvelously swift. the friendly craft
is presumably protecting rs from mis-
led German submarines l have been
told that the latter have been seen
in these very waters. but cannot verify
it.
Presently we are sailing up the
Mersey. cautiously. AS we approach
Liverpool. scores upon scores of
steamships are seen idle at the docks:
no one is seen aboard, and no smoke
arises from their tunnels over on
the north side is the giant Aquitania;
she looms up as big as a city. almost.
Before passengers are allowed tC
land all are called into the dining
saloon to have their passports exam
ined and a long list of questions are
asked all who are not British sub
jects 1t is a tedius procedure and
delays us three hours The native
Britons are in feverish state on
the dock are many officers and sol
diers in khaki. awaiting friends and
relatives from the ship. 1t was ru
mored that three passengers were de-
tanned as spies. but who they were, I
do not know.
Well. here I am i'm England; it
presents a very warli6e aspect, and
Undoubtedly ] will find much TO write
about here before ] leave for France.
and in my next letter Will have some
genuine war news.