New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-07


Germany. The land was desolste. No
wagons or autos on the country roads
only now and then a lonely woman in a
big field
Wealthy Still at Resort
One Sunday we had made an expedi-
ton from Munich into the mountain.
We visited a fashionable summer re-
sort. Rich people were still occupying
the hotels. There was more comfort
here than | had found anywhere. We
had a cup of real coffee and cafe
kuchen" that could be eaten. But in a
nearby village we found the people
hungry.
In one cottage was a woman who
had given six sons to the war She
and her three grandchildren hadn't
enough to eat. They were living on
potatoes and a tea substitute. She
drew small pension from the i'm
perial authorities. This used 10 be
augmented by municipal fund. But
the town now had no money for pen
sions. This grandmother was trying
TO live on Sc a month.
! wondered how many families were
pensionless. In our railway carriage was
a soldier home on a three weeks leave.
He was eager TO talk. He wanted di-
version. He was a man of means,
about forty years Of age. and extremely
well educated. For fifteen mon rs he
had been at the front. Il will never
go back" was his ultimatum. "I'll
make myself i'll or do some injury TO
myself. If they try to send me-"
Soldiers KILLED Like Flies"
WAS it so terrible ," we asked.
Worse than any civilian can realize.
] refused TO 90 as an officer, but took
the position OF sergeant. | wanted 70
get into war and see what 10 was like.
The common soldiers weren't ~consid-
cred any more than pack OF animals.
They were killed off like flies. I'm not
Social Democrat. have never
thought much of the working people.
but ! knew those men. They each had
a mother, a wife or a sweetheart. and
they were moved down like things"
We we're silent a moment. Then we
asked, DO you think the men at the
front learn patriotism ," lie smiled a
qulzzlcal smile. Patriotism! Yes. we
learn real patriotism. That il doesn't
make any difference where you live as
long as there isn't war" He paused a
moment and then continued: Germany
won't be ft 10 live in after the war
The hardships will be frightful. I've
transferred all my property TO Switzer-
land. ! will 20 there the first moment
can. Germany has a bill ready which
che Will pass as soon as peace comes. Il
Will prevent Germans emigrating
Every one will be needed to bring back
prosperity; but mean to get out some
how"
The soldier left before we reached
our destination. | was glad we were
alone. My journalist notes had begun
TO worry me. ! examined my dress suit
case. The German glue was a failure
The lining was loose. except for one
spot. Concealed beneath that was a
newspaper clipping telling Of the
Munich peace meeting. Here the lin
ing held, because ! had moistened and
used the dried American glue.
] decided to leave the clipping. but
removed my pencilled notes. After
much thought ! copied these on tissue
paper Then | ripped open the heavy
cloth straps Of my English raincoat. /
moistened the tissue paper, laid it in
side the straps and sewed them to-
gether. II was a wonderful hiding
place. You couldn't feel thing. even
though you squeezed the cloth between
your fingers.
By this time we were nearing the
frontier. | began TO be very nervous
From the train we went into a little
waiting room. There were about
twenty other travellers. Ny friend
was still with me. At last my name
was called. | wrung my friends hand.
Was II 10 be my last glimpse. It tore
my heart to leave her 10 her desolate
country.
Peep Holes in a Sheet
In a minute ] was sitting in tiny
room before a white sheet. There we're
two holes in the sheet. Eyes were
looking out at me through those holes.
IL was uncanny. ] was as shivery as
when we played Bluebeard as chill
dren. Questions were asked me. But
all the German ] had learned vanished.
! sat quite still and looked outwardly
calm, but inwardly my heart went like
trip hammer. An interpreter was
summoned. My papers were examined.
Tho interpreter was scornful. He made
some sarcastic remarks, but did not
question me.
Then | was led into another room.
/ There was my luggage. II was spread
out on long bench. / saw / was not
10 get out OF Germany as easily as I
had got in. My two valises and a
csrryall, all the baggage | had, we're
opened Every item was examined.
Each stocking turned inside out Every
scrap OF underwear held up to the
light and each seam examined. Il was
very disconcerting The soldiers eyes
went from me TO my clothes. IL isn't
easy 10 act innocent.
Finally the suitcases were emptied
Then it was their turn to be examined
Thank God. | had removed my notes.
The soldier fingers went over every
speck OF the lining held my breath.
But the newspaper clippings couldn't
be felt The loosened lining concealed
no secrets. It's dangling condition was
n saruninQ