Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-10-11

were not allowed to take any papers
whatsoever with them and after their
baggage was thoroughly searchey they
were allowed to proceed on their way
to Sofia, The trip that far proved un-
eventful, once the start was made. Ar
irving at Sofia. the girls went Mt once
to the American consulate, where they
were given the best Of treatment, the
consul doing everything In his power
to help them.
Birth Certificate Demanded.
But when Miss Davis went to the
German consulate she was informed
that the consul was not there and
asked to come again the next day.
This was repeated for several days and
each time she received the same an
swer. Finally the German vice-consul
took matters into his own hands. After
infinitely inspecting Miss Davis pa
pers which contained her photo and
detailed description the vice. consul
said she must have her birth certiflc-
ate before she could enter Germany.
Not having the required certificate in
her possession Miss Davis was forced
to send to America for It. This used
up almost six weeks.
But more trouble was in store. Ger
many had enacted law in the mean
time prohibiting foreigners to, cross
the country. This announcement, cou-
pied with reports that train service
would stop at any time, all trains be-
ing used to transport troops, caused
Miss Davis and her companion to al
most give up hope
American. Consul Aids.
They appealed to the American con-
sui. who managed to use his influence
to their advantage. He went to the
German consul and requested that, as
a personal favor, the American girls be
allowed to pass thru his country. The
German official wanted to know why
the girls wanted to go to America. He
was informed that Miss Davis had
been i'll and had been advised to return
to her native land for rest. Papers
then had to be produced to prove that
Miss Davis really had been i'll and un-
der physicians care. Finally. after
much careful consideration. the Ger
man official gave them permission to
cross his country.
The girls boarded the Balkan Ex-
press. which runs from Constantinople
to Berlin. This is one of the fastest
trains in Europe and formerly ran
from Paris to Constantinople. The
trip from Sofia to Berlin took thirty
six hours, which Is considered fast
time.
Miss Davis and companion Travelled
in compartment with two German
women, who treated the Americans
with the greatest courtesy and hospi-
tally. When the train approached a
certain point the conductor entered
and requested the German women to
take another compartment, after which
al the window sifa des were tightly
drawn. Miss Davis -surnised they
were passing a troop train
Forced to Take Devious Route.
Detailed descriptions OF the two
American girls had preceded them to
all points on the German boundaries
so they passed without trouble, sailing
from Sassentz. Germany. Sept Al for
a Swedish port and thence TO Copen-
hagen, Denmark. Failing TO get pass
sage or ship from Copenhagen, the
American girls journey on to Christi
ana. Norway. where they obtained
passage on Norwegian American
steamer. rt - as.-&
People coming to America from Ger
many and Europe do not tell the truth
in all cases regarding the treatment
and food given them. Miss Davis as
serss- Miss Davis and companion were
accorded courteous treatment at all
times and We're able to obtain plenty
OF food tho prices Were high. Food
was not always Of the choicest. but
was always wholesome and pienteous
Prices in Monastir Extreme.
However, this did not hold good in
Monastir. Here sugar was not always
to be had When it could be procured
1t cost from three dollars to four dol
lars per pound. Flour cos. about $50
for a small barrel
There were extremely high prices,
however, as the cost of foodstuffs be-
came lower as they journey further
north into Europe
The people Of Monastir have suffered
much from the war, Miss Davis says.
When she Went there in 1911, Monas-
tir belonged TO the Turks In l9l3the
Serbians took 1t and held il for three
years, the Bugarlans taking it last
November
The people Of Monastir. Miss Davis
believes, would prefer TO remain under
Bulgarian rule. Most of them speak
the Bulgarian language and appear
more satisfied under Bulgarian rule
than at any previous time.
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