The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-08-21
Those Who Leave Germany for
Denmark Are Made to
Strip to the
Skin.
BAGGAGE IS EXAMINED
Paper Wrappers Are Removed and
Chocolate and Cigars Are
Broken Into
Pieces.
by Carl w. Alderman, United Press
Staff Correspondent

by Carl w. Alderman, United Press
| Staff Correspondent
COPENHAGEN, July 20 (By
mall.)-Everyone who leaves Ger
many today via Warnemuende for
| Denmark is stripped to the skin
Ears, noses, teeth and toes are exam
ined to see that no information or
plans for the enemy are being car
ried out.
Reichstag members, wives of off,
Gals, correspondents and laborers are
treated the same.
An American crossing the border
yesterday remarked that before long
1T would be necessary for the inspec-
ton station to. be built into the Bal.
tic sea so that the travellers could
undress on the German border, walk
into the water and swim to a wait
ing station near the ferry and wait
Tor the clothes and baggage to be
examined and forwarded Ky canoe.
| When travellers leave tho train they
| enter small wooden shed, resem-
bling in many respects temporary
bath house at an American beach.
Here the passports are taken away
and showed into an enclosed room
where they are examined. The hold
ers are given numbers.
When the passport Of traveller Is
finished he is called to another room
where he is questioned about the OBJ
jects of his journey. From here the
wayfarer goes to large room where
the baggage is examined while detec-
tives stand in front and in back to
see that nothing is slipped by.
| Every scrap of paper or cardboard
is taken away. even wrappings and
paper lining to boxes. Cotton is re-
moved from medicine bottles. Cigars
are examined, some are cut open,
chocolate in sealed packages is open
ed. the wrapping destroyed and half
the chocolate broken up into bits to
see that nothing is hidden.
Shoes with new half sole are
opened. The searcher feels every
thing, examines canes to gee whether
, they are hollow. opens umbrellas.
holds every collar up to the light to
see that nothing is written on the
lining.
After the baggage is examined"
said an American woman who cross
ed the border yesterday, "the men
and women are taken into separate
compartments, about the size of
large individual bath hous. and there
every bit of clothing is removed.
Women are examined by women.
men by men.
| ''The searcher went through every
piece Of my clothes, examined the
border of my underwear and held al
most every inch Of my clothes up to
the light. Even the roses l wore
were examined petal by petal, my
wrist watcn was opened back and
front so also my shoes, umbrella and
hat.
Il had to take down my hair and
my scalp was examined thoroughly
/ suppose to see that l didn't have
map of Metz concealed thereon.
Then my ears, teeth, hands, toes AMI
| back were examined, but fortunately
l was not suspicion woman because
l was not washed in alcohol to see
] II there were any concealed maps
drawn on my skin. The alcohol and
basin of water with towels were
there and on a shelf l noticed a
bottle Of aromatic spirits Of ammonia
and drinking water for those who
might faint under examination, BIZ,
| in every way the women were cour.
teous and gentle"
After that was over the passengers
were permitted to board the ship, but
there they soon encountered Il score
Of spies who watched for every move
and who listened to every remark
The Germans take no chances with
anyone.
| Articles which are taken away DUR
ing the examination are wrapped up
before the eyes Of the traveller and
posted back to an address he gives OF
any friends in Berlin. Only suspicious
articles are confiscated.
| At present no rubber goods of any
kind can be taken out. no matter If
| it is the most necessary article. Not
an ounce of rubber leaves Germany
today.