Catoctin clarion., 1917-09-13

rope, where we were stopping.
Upon alighting from their droshky
the Pierces We're astonished to be met
at the curb by the porter of the hotel
with the remarks: "Did you enjoy the
picture gallery, and did you see your
friends, and was the United States
minister at homeT" Mr.. Pierce said he
marveled that his movements were so
promptly known, almost before he
made them; and took pains to ques-
tion his hotel functionary as to how
he knew and why in the name Of rea-
son himself and his daughter were be.
ing watched.
With the well-known continental
shrug Of the shoulder, raising OF the
hands and head to one side, the only
answer he could get was "Nimporte.'
The secret service of Russia had
line upon every driver of a droshky
and every porter Of public building
and private one, too, and knew ex-
actly what Mr.. Pierce and his daugh'
ter were doing.
SohSS'o ~
Again, in Moscow, the old capital OF
Russia, Is located the Kremlin. 1t
is nominally fortress; in reality, only
q walled inclosure containing the three
great churches where the emperors are
crowned, one where they are married,
and q third in which they are buried.
Judge Pierce's daughter especially
desired to take some photographs.
Very strict in Russia anyhow, photo
graphs were absolutely interdicted In
the Kremlin for the reason that 1T
was fortress"
Being told that she must surrender
her camera at the door of the famous
tower Ivan Velike, by the "kolokol,"
"king of bells" the little daughter was
broken hearted. She had wanted to
take pictures from the summit of this
famous tower.
For the city of Moscow Is the most
unique and brilliant city in the world,
on account Of Its picturesque archi'
lecture and diversified cOlorlng.
Walls of white, green, yellow and
blue, with turrets and towers and
spires of green and blue, with the brill
lance Of white stars and churches and
cathedrals with domes sparkling with
silver and gold, present Kaleidoscope
wealth of color from an elevated point,
enough to battle the Imagination.
No other city in the world Is like 1t.
But to return to the camera: Mr..
Pierce was wearing French cloak
and when he took the camera out
from its black leather case and shoul-
der straps, he handed the case to the
Russian official. They were accompa-
MED by guide, and while Mr.. Pierce
asked questions at the summit OF the
tower the daughter took pictures OF
the city. But, alas for the best-laid
plans. When they reached their hotel
they were asked for the camera. They
had been watched with spyglass from
a building of guards! The officer was
polite but firm, and insisted upon the
destruction of the films. Mr.. Pierce
declined, asserting that his folks were
American citizens and not German
spies, and had not been taking any
pictures of military armament, and
that the Kremlin was not fortress In
the proper sense after all!
Troubles over Passports.
But the end was not here. 1t Is
probably we'll known that in Russia
you give up your passport on entering
q city and 1t Is held in the police de-
partment until you are ready to go.
Within q few hours before taking
the train your passports, vised with
permission to 60 to the next city of
your tour, are delivered to you, If you
have incurred no debts and have other
wise behaved to the satisfaction Of
the Russian empire.
You cannot buy ticket or board the
railroad train without showing your
passport, properly vlsed to leave the
city.
"Much to our surprise and discom-
fiture," said Mr.. Pierce, 1--WE found that
the Russian authorities had withheld
our passports No amount of argu-
ment or entreaty could bring them.
Much delay ensued. After several days
an appeal had to be made to the Amer
lean minister at st. Petersburg, with
some Interruptions at the imperial de-
partments, when finally permission
was obtained to leave the city Of Mos
COVE" .---.--. -,.---,---..