The Washington times., 1917-10-12

order for mobilization was given and
at 7:10 D. m. war was declared by
Germany on Russia, the Kaiser pro-
claiming from the balcony of the pal
ace that "he knew no parties more"
or course, during these days the
population of Berlin, was greatly ex-
cited. Every night great crowds OF
people paraded the streets singing
Deutschland Ueber Allies" and de-
handing war. Extras. distributed
free, were issued at frequent inter
walls by the newspapers, and there
was a general feeling among the Ger
mans that their years OF preparation
would now bear fruit. that Germany
would conquer the world and Impose
its 'kultur" upon all nations.
On the second of August I called in
the morning to say good-by to the
Russian ambassador. His embassy
was filled with unfortunate Russians
/, who had gone there to seek protec.
| tion and help. Right and left men
and women were weeping and the
whole atmosphere seemed that of
! despair.
Crowd Grows Unruly.
On the day the Russian ambassador
left sent him my automobile to
take him to- the station. The chauf-
feur and footmRn reported to me that
I the police protection was Inadequate
that the automobile was nearly over
| turned by the crowd, and that men
jumped on the running board and
struck the ambassador and the ladies
with him in the face with sticks. His
train was due to leave at I:I5 D. m,
At about ten minutes to 1, while
was standing in my room in the
embassy surrounded by a crowd of
Americans, Mrs. James. wife of the
Senator from Kentucky, and Mrs
Post Wheeler, wife OF our secretary
to the embassy in Japan. came to me
and said that they were anxious to
get through to Japan via Siberia and
did not know what to do. / imme-
diately scribbled a note to the Rus
Sian ambassador. asking him to take
them on the train with him. This
and the ladies I confided to the care
OF red-headed page boy OF the EN-.
bassy who spoke German.
By come miracle he managed to get
them to the railroad station before
the ambassadors train left, the am
bassador kindly agreeing to take
them with him. His train. however.
instead Of going to Russia. was head
ed for Denmark; from there the two
ladies crossed to Sweden, thence to
England. and so home. IT being per-
haps as well for them that they did
not have an opportunity to attempt
the Siberian journey during this
period of mobilization.
The Russian ambassador recipro-
Gated by cOnfiding to my care a Rus
sian princess. who had intended to
go out with him. but who, intimidated
perhaps by the scenes on the way to
the station, had lost her nerve at the
railway station and refused to depart
with the ambassador. She remained
for a while in Berlin and after some
weeks recovered sufficient courage to
make the trip to Denmark.
Attended the Palace.
On the morning OF the fourth Of
August. having received an invita-
ton the day before, / attended at
the palace in Berlin. In the room
where the court balls had been held
in peace times a certain number
Of the members of the Reichstag were
assembled. The diplomats were in a
gallery on the west side OF the room.
Soon the Emperor, dressed in field
gray uniform and attended by several
members Of his stan and Il NUMBER u.
ladies, entered the room.
He walked with a martial stride
and glanced toward the gallery where
the diplomats were assembled. as II
To see how many were there. Taking
his place upon the throne and stand
ing. he read an address to the mem.
bers Of the Reichstag. The members
OF the Reichstag cheered him and
then adjourned to the Reichstag,
where the chancellor addressed them,
making his famous declaration about
Belgium, and stating that necessity
knew no law" and that the German
troops were perhaps at that moment
crossing the Belgian frontier. Ger
tain laws which had been prepared
with reference to the government of
the country and which l will give I'm
more detail In another place. as well
as the war credit, were voted upon
by the ReichstRR. The Socialists had
not been present in the palace. but
Joined now in voting the necessary
credits.
On the afternoon OF the 4th of.
August l went to see Won Jagow TO
ambassador sat in the waiting room
OF the foreign office. Sir Edward told
me that he was there for the purpose
of asking for his passports. He spoke
in English, Of course, and l am sure
that he was overheard by a man sit
ting in the room who looked to me
like a German newspaper man. 50
that I was not surprised when, late
in the afternoon, extra sheets ap-
peared upon the street announcing