Evening journal., 1916-10-17
FIRST OF PECLER'S
AMERICAN Reporter
IN london" Series

United Press staff Correspondent.
LONDON, Sept. 25.-(By Mall Be
coming an inmate Of London an Amer
lean has to take the police deep into
his confidence. The searchlight OF
suspicion goes into his soul, probing
its utmost recesses for possible pro-
German sentiments.
He tells them whence he came and
why and how long he has to stay; he
gives his ideas on religion, beer and
the Freudian theory. II he is wear
ing four-in-hand tie and the officer
leans to bows he stands a good chance
Of being investigated further.
On the other mitt. if the inspectors
dyspepsia happens to be off-watch.
maybe the arrival is passed
The first session Of the third de.
gree is staged in Liverpool when the
ship warps up to tho dock Stewards
90 up and down the decks shooing the
low lived passengers into the roped-
on part of the dining saloon. Uniform
ed gentlemen appear at the exits bar
ring the way and the officers take
their places at tables near each door.
with long registration forms on which
to enter the arrival.
Each passenger is given a number
but the inspector gets 1t back before
the official razooing is over
A free-born. star-spangled reporter
from Dallas was a typical victim be-
fore being suffered 10 land in the
gloomy old burg.
A man called his number, the erst-
while passenger stepped forward with
deep genufiection and weighty mis-
givings. He showed his hand. a pass
port and some kindred documents.
The inspector showed nothing but sus-
picion.
Ever been in Europe before?"
asked the official
Never"
"Neverg
mo. not ever"
"Then. why are you coming here
now?"
ITO work"
"work?'
YES, work"
"when were you in Europe last?'
q was never in Europe last"
Not last?"
YES. not last"
This is very adroit cross-examina-
ton. sure TO trap anyone trying to
slip anything over.
The inspector looks the inspectee
square in the eye while he's talking
seeming. to say "come out from behind
that bush. I see you"
Then he passes the candidate OF
sends him back to New York on the
same ship.
Except for few distinctive wrinkle
of inquiry the London police duplicate
the process. They want TO know where
YOU are going to live and how Ions
and why you chose that place. And
you'd better tell them. II all goes
down in the book in the closest sys-
! tenn OF surveillance in the world
With his documents the immigrant
is free; not as the birds of the air Dut
with the alleged freedom OF a lifer in
an honor camp. He may roam che
streets in comparative safety. showing
l. his papers whenever he's tackled by
recruiting agents.
That word comparative q
right word. in place where the traf
fc rules were designed by a southpaw
In London taxis and buses, big
grunsing "caterpillars" locomotives
and Dush-carts go prowling along the
left-hand curbs. The party from
Denver has fifty hair raising jumps 2
day to avoid being bumped in the radi-
ator, until he gets used to the game.
BY that time he is doubly protected
He has crawled into an English suit
with cylindrical pants and cloth-cov-
cred buttons. which feels like a load
OF coal; he doesn't brush his hat any
more and wears a half-lnch collar
nine sizes too large for his IA and 3-4
neck. he smokes a hay-burner and
looks like a native.
II is contrary to public policy tC
run over natives.
This is the process of busting In.