Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-27

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~ the sharply whipped word or
command the front ranks or the end
80" iinc OF SfaN-grccn soldiers stiff
cned. looked toward kHxccIlcncv 20,
MUCK. framed in the arched entrance
l" the Adlon Hotel. and thundcred ~.
III goose step. They were vet.run,,
''ii' thrrc regiments, uccompa'nird hv
.he'r wives. children and friends ano
p""hd as rc-cnforccmcnts for In,
,o''i'h" front. Mt that time the dead
nest hell OF all the battle fields
GarlandS of flowers were wrenthot
around rifles and dun steel helmets. ana
bouquets gave color TO the mucn
patched. fraycd and faded uniform,
buieinS knapSacks. from which boXe,
Days. parcels and heavy boots ,anplcu
SaEScd on tn" troopers backs. and "A,
'heE swung firmly past. their faces
earnest. tense. disciplined. somber. on.
lcit kccnly the mighty. cmotionles,
ithpcrsonal power that Is guiding ana
managing every energy OF this whole
people IN IN" travail of world war. The
management Of this grim, business.
INK" So!dierT reaches every where SO
mat IL is difficult TO tell where mill
'arN iifc leaves Off and civil life begins,
IN" cities. towns and villages arr,
aswarm with soldiers. There are the
iihumerable veterans. back from Rus
Sian. French. Serbian and Mcsopotaminn
h'ttic hclds. any number OF highly
trained soldiers held In reserve for
some such contingency az the recent
entrance OF Roumania into the war.
ana thousands OF raw recruits being
hammered into shape. One passes al
most as many soldiers on the street,
as ono passes men in civilian clothes
II Ia not uncommon to soc an Office,
collect several hundred sulutcs alone
a Few blocks OF crowded Berlin thor
"uehiarc Even the clerks and the
girls have caught the manner, and now
& of ar itl
less pressure OF fingers upon the brow
LII" flows on back home at words Of
command. Military authorities OF last
instanC" arc always In tho background
and almost every man is q potential
soldier. Into the intense carncstncss
OF TINS life, the stranger. unless he IS
a prisoner Of war. Gts badly. From tho
moment he crosses the German borders
ii" Is rd-indeX.d rs ono OF list OF
exceptions. and. as such. his words ana
actions h"co'n" matters for archives
Iinrd to Enter Germany.
Tho stranger finds IL "A matter Of
considerable ceremony to secure on
franc" into Germany. At the nearest
consular or diplomats post TO the
border guard that he seeks to PASS
he obtains III" proper countersignature
to his passport. The border watch ,s
notified Of his coming. At tho border
he and the other passengers Of the
day ar" kept in bare room under
guard, his passport Is taken from him
in "Achnnr" for number. and he
must await tn" calling Of this mum
Der 10 begin tn" formal ceremony
The ceremony is something similar 10
the Indian reception OF running tho
gauntlet: ono is admitted into tho
room Of inquisition. where soldiers arc
everywhere. and passed down line
Of desks. wh"r" h" mus, answer ques-
tions concerning his nationality. por-
ltc
Then tho baggage is investigated. This
investigation is paiNstakinE. con-
scicntious. ncrvc-t"asing. Everything
in trunks and bags is taken out,
opened up. turned insid" out. stretched
twisted. thump"d and shaken Every
thing Of tn" nature Of paper. letters
wrapping material. photographs. hooks
and visiting cards ar" retained. other
articles IL harmless. arc rcpackcd and
their Golfers arc sealed
II everything goes satisfactorilv thus
far. one next undcrcocs the personal
examination. BEYOND the baggage
room. on tho way 10 German soil arc
rows "f small cells. like bathhouse
rooms. with soldier To each room
Fresh from your baEEar" strain. you
ar" ushcrcd into orc OF these. un-
dressed 10 tho skin and inspected with
detailed care Your pockets your
shoes. your wallet and Your collar are
next examined. II again all is we'll
You S"anpcr for your train. for YOU
must reach Your place of asserted dos
tinaton within twenty four hours
your one comfort Is that YOU have your
paSSp"rt again In your possnssion
Passing over tho border out of Ger
many calls for tho same formalities
ONLY SITTER.
When You arrive in German CITY
YOU must notify the police personally
and have tn" date and hour OF your
registration stamped upon your pass
port You arc then free to begin life
as an exception. Secret service pcoDlc
cNerywh"fe arc Interested in YOU II
YOU think out loud. tho police get
fairly good abstracts Of tho tenure o,
YOUR thoughts. These. together with
data on your manner Of conduct Your
preferences. tn" things about which
YOU show curiosity and your wander
inTs. become matters OF archivc for or
against YOU. This archivc is carefully
examined before your photographs and
hnEcr prints are taken. and YOU arc
permitted TO depart for home
Every hotel clerk is part OF the Sc