The farmer and mechanic., 1915-03-16
WAKE COUNTY MAN IN GERMANY
WHEN WAR WAS DECI AIRED
Unable to Leave for Three Months-In London During
lime When AR Kalds Were Expected Without Warm
ng-Some Exciting Experiences
CASA BIGGS.)


H Europe at that time. Saturday
morning every one was going around !
doing his usual routine of work, or
,J.asure never dreaming that before |
'be sun set, practically all Europe |
could be thrown into the midst of the !
Greatest war the world has ever seen.
True. most every one knew of the |
,rnubIe brewing between Austria and
Russia, on account of the Austrians
beginning the bombardment Of Bel
,,rade. the capital of Servia, on the
18th of July, but no one dreamed for
any solution of this difficulty, except
= neaceable one. The people in Ger
many, understood that the Kaiser was
acting the part of q mediator. and as
.ha official communications were re-
garded with the utmost secrecy, every
one was of the opinion that the trouble
would be smoothed over within a few
days.
on Friday, July 31st, I came to
I.ubeck, Germany. from Hamburg,
and that night talked with a Ger
man army officer about the Austro-
servo operations. He was of the
opinion that the greater powers Of
Europe would intervene and stop the
proceedings then under way. l asked
him Of the probability of the trouble
between Austria and Servia involving
Europe in war, but he dismissed
lhe question with the assurance that
Germany and the other great powers
did not want war. our country IS
busy with progress" he said. "and
does not desire any struggle now that
will demolish all our labors. We
nave been steadily making progress
I'm art, education and manufacturing,
aud J assure you that the government
has no intention of plunging us into
"a war. for this would destroy all that
y,e nave built up for the last cen
Jury"
lie talked of the mediation the
kaiser was then carrying on, and
said that he understood that the
kaiser and the Car of Russia were.
that night. exchanging kilograms
which would mean peace, and q. ces-
sation of the hostilities on foot.
asked him if the army desired war.
Dn this point he was a little slow. but
Hnally acknowledged that probably
Some OF the officers, being young and
desiring to show what they could do
IN the event of war, would well
come the opportunity. but as to HIM
self he did not desire war.
On the Eve Of War.
During the night of July 31st 1t
leaked out that Germany was then
un the eve OF declaration of war,
end small crowds could be seen col
urday morning. but no demonstra-
tions were made. During the day
talked with several Germans about
the likelihood of Germany's going &c
var. They told me that they though'
unless the Russians gave guaran'
teed strict Don-intervention poi1Gy De.
fore twelve o'clock that the KAISER
would call for the mobilization Of th'
army and navy.
large body of troops was sta
toned at Lubbock, and about nve
thirty o'clock that evening l noticed
that they were being moved to tn
railway station, and that they car
fied all their equipment. Upon ask
ing a paSserby what this meant,
was informed that Germany had de
Slared war, and called for the mobt
Iization Of the army and navy, an'
that the trops were then being trans
terred TO the western border OF Ger
many, as the Russians were airead
uenacing that part Of Germany.
Railroads Communicated.
simultaneously, with the mOblllza
don Of the troops, the gOvernmen
tOok over the management OF ALI IN
railways and travel was practlcaii
suspended. Thinking that 1t woui
be best for me to go to Hamburg an
try TO get away from German
through that port, j attempted t
9oard a train, but was informed tina
Gravel of all kinds would be Sus
oended for at least two days. 80
had to make myself contented wit
the conditions.
No thought at this time of Ems
lands entering into the conflict wa
entertained by any one with Wnol
talked. But it was generally undel
stood that France would be Russia
ally. This being the case, Germa
troops were stationed on the bord'
If France without any intention
crossing the border though, uni
hey were fired upon late Saturda
evening by company of French OF;
goons. After this hostile demOnStrs
ion on the part Of France. German
assured England that if she wou
Guarantee the neutrality of Franc
With her army and navy. the trool
now across the border would be +
called. England did not reply to tn
message. and the kaiser's troo
marched on towards Paris.