Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-11-11
WAR REFUGEE HERE TELLS
OF EXPERIENCE IN FRANCE
Nephew of Newarker Was In
termed Because of Allegiance
to Austria.


French detention camps as a virtual
prisoner of war, although more or
less free to do as he pleased, so long
as he did not leave the country. Ed
ward Stadler, young bohemian, IS
now in Newark and will go into busl-
ness here. That he escaped the hard
ships of life while being sent from
camp to camp in France was due to
| frequent remittances from mis- uncle,
Macmillan Kusy with whom he is
now making HIS home at 80 Baldwin
avenue.
Mr.. Stadler, arrived from New
York on Tuesday from France, hav-
| ing sailed aboard the steamer Lafay-
ette in that vessels maiden trans
atlantic trip. Permission for him to
leave the country for America had
previously been secured by influence
exerted by the Bohemian committee
through the American embassy,
which is representing Austria IN
France during the war.
Although he can converse in five
other languages, Mr. Stadler finds
English a little difficult for him, but,
despite this handicap, managed to tell
the story of his experiences when seen
at his uncles home last night. When
ever the younger man became con-
fused his uncle acted as interpreter
The young man said he was born In
Raudnitz, Bohemia, on September IL,
1889. His father. julius Stadler, Is
wholesale drygoods merchant at
Raudnitz. Upon completing his ed
ucation he went to Paris in the sum
mer of 1910, and on July "a OF that
year secured position with the
Paris firm of Sussfeld & Co., dealers
in general merchandise.
Didn't Expect War.
"As early as 1908, before went to
Paris,' said Mr. Stadler, II knew
there was crisis in Europe
but we didn't think there would be
war. In the summer Of 1914 | read
in the French papers that Austria
had declared war on Serbia. l also
noticed that all Bohemians in Paris
were asked to go to the Austrian con-
sulate. Although / had never seen
military service, 1 was subject to call
for service in the Ninth Army Corps
of the Austrian Army. When called
at the consulate there were several
hundred of my fellow countrymen
there, and the consul told us there
was no likelihood of us being called
for military service. He promised to
notify us should there be general
mobilization.
On. Saturday, August 1, 1914, I
read in the Paris papers that Austria
had declared a general mobilization.
| again went to the Austrian consu-
late and presented my passport. The
consul marked the passport to show
that he had given me permission to
return and Join the Ninth Army
Corps There were several hundred
of my countrymen there and the con-
sui told us to come back at o'clock
in the evening and board the special
train, which, he said, would be wait
ing for us.
I'VE returned at O'Clock as direct
ed, and waited outside the consulate
until 10 o'clock. The consul was at
the window Of the consulate. He
saw that we we're very nervous and
admonished us to calm ourselves
When the train did not arrive the
consul went to the minister of ex-
terror to get a train for the Austrian
subjects.
No Train.
I'm the afternoon of the same day
the French mobilization had been de-
clared. AS we couldn't get a train.
the consul told us to return on sun.
day, August 2, at 8 o'clock in the
morning We did SO and waited until
o'clock at night, but could not get
away. l had to carry my baggage.
Finally the Austrian consul Informed
us 1t would be impossible to get a
train for us, as all available coaches
were being used for the French
troops.
I'VE were ordered to report to the
commissariat of police of Paris, tell
ing him that we were unable to leave
the city. This we did. BY this time
posters had begun to appear in public
places declaring mobilization. The
posters also said that the Austrian
and German governments wanted
their subjects to leave the country on
twenty-four hours notice and that
trains would start toward Switzer-
land, Spain and Italy.
On Monday, August 3, we were
notified 1t was too late for us to start
and we were forced to report again
to the commissariat of police. We
then received a notice, telling US to
report on the following Wednesday,
which we did. On Friday, August I,
we were sent to Gueret. In the de-
partment of Cruese, and interned at
the Camp de la Cour Aine. We left
Paris at SAT O'Clock in the morning,
our train being sent out in two sec
tions. was aboard the second sec
tion. We arrived at the camp at s
o'clock the following afternoon.
Surrounding the camp site were
hills and gathered there were 1900
persons. For the first two weeks we
slept in the barracks and 1, with
others, was assigned to clean out the
barns and stables. We remained at
this camp for seven weeks. AS had
plenty of money, which was sent me
by my uncle, was enabled to pur-
chase suitable food 1t was rather