The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-01-26

these countries, there 10 some division
OF sentiment on the question of the
war. But 1t seemed. that in Norway,
Denmark and Holland sympathy was
with the allies, while in Sweden 1t
was with Germany. Sweden has an
old grudge against Russia, and the
other neutral countries are afraid of
the growing military power in Ger.
many-of the dominant heel they
say. k. ,.i...
I'm Copenhagen left the Ford
party to hurry home. To do this 1t
was necessary for me to have. my
passport vised for belligerent coun-
tries. Only as special courtesy from
German and English consuls was L able
to accomplish this. for our country
except in rare cases grants no pass
ports to belligerent countries and
orders have been issued against !. It.
But ] had good luck and this gave me
q chance to see Germany and Eng
land at first hand in a. state of war.
ut, also gave mo the UNIQUE expe-
riei'ce Of getting in and out Of Ger
many at the present time. They take
nothing for granted. 1t matters riot
what credentials, passports or letters
you bear, nor whosyou are, yeu must
submit to the test before you pass.
And you can bet that when the Ger
mans do thing 1t ID done thoroughly.
They talk little and ask but few ques-
tfons. but when they are done with
you. you know that. you have been
examined. In my case every article
was taken from my baggage and ex.
amined with the utmost care, books
and papers and pictures were taken In
charge and peroxide of hydrogen
and other medicines had we're
emptied upon q heap Of coal In the
belief that they were either invisib,A
ink or explosives. The baggage itself
was observed with great scrutiny. 5j:
= "At this juncture' two officers es-
corted mo to a private dressing room
ana was told to uncover. I took or
my overcoat. then my coat and when
thus disrobed I stood up before the
onicer and asked. How far?' Keep
going ne said. 1 continued and later
repeated my question. To the skim
he replied. When I, had stripped to
the skim the bottoms OF my feet, my
beck and my head were all examined
my clothes. my shoes. my overshoes,
my waechs my purse--nothing es-
caped. Gis iy ,e> e4, rs,
!, II came away impressed with Ger
man efficiency and yet. It was ALI done
with courtssy and order, and system
and dispatch. T. also, visited many
phlces and saw q good bit .of German
life - Isminsiedt freely with the peo-
pie. and yet from the tlme enterea
German territory until left IL my
whereabouts were. always Known. Your
may not like their method of war
fare, and you may oppose their hard
military system, but one thing is cer-
tain, you can not visit Germany as I
did and come away without feeling
fhat they are wonderfully skillful
amt efsicient people. without feeling
too that some of this effieisncy would
be good thing for America.
Prom Germany / passed on
through Holland by way Of The Hague
and crossed the North sea to England.
The North sea is literally a network Of
submarines and mines and no ship
dares to cross in the nighttime. The
mine sweepers followed our ship for
mites and L SAW tina big guns shoot
and explode mine after mine. passed
within sight Of Ostend. now held by
the Germans. and could hear the con-
tinuous roar Of the cannon from the
trenches near Flushing.
IN England visited the house OF
lords and the house. Of commons and
heard Lloyd George and Sir Edward
Carson speak on the compulsion en-
listment measure. Great Britain is
beginning to realize that 1t is at war
and both the powers-that-b and the
people seem now resolved to fight to
a finish. I saw thousands of soldiers
In Germany. and England who had
been or were getting ready to go. to
the front and the general opinion is
that both sides are planning for a
mighty drive in the spring.
"Everywhere I went was shown
the greatest consideration and kind
ness. The people in the old coun-
tries have great respect for form and
|custOm.. met many officials and