Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-09
M Z ueZuemonth
at Krupp Plant"
Dutch Engineer amazing Story
Of Starvation and Cruelty
in Essen.
BY VAN DER LINDEN
Copyright. 1911 international News
Bureau.

1.-THE writer o: this series Is Dutch
engineer. who found life al Essen in
io!"'ab!e. and Insisted upon being freed
from his engagement. since his return
% Holland he has occupied himself
IN setting down his experiences while
working a, KrUpps.l
Living in the house where was
Vua!ierrd vas one OF the chemists
from the wonderful laho-atores-a
mhn who prior 10 the war had been Il
professor Of chemistry at Heidelberg
University. With this man became
very friendly. and through him | was
able ~ discover many OF the most
jealousy guarded secrets of Essen.
doubt very much whether even
friendship Win the gentleman would
have been the means OF my learning
and seeing all that ! did had ii not
oecn for the fact that | was in the
good graccs of both the Lady OF Essen
and her husband.
After my elevation by Won Bohlcn
and the fact that | had been ordered
TO accompany the Kaiser and the Sui
tan round The works, my position was
assured. On every hand ! was treated
with the utmost courtesy and respect
and my movements were not challenged
by the guards. sun. / learned later
that was being carefully watched b.
the secret service agents during the
time that enjoyed comparative free
dom OF the works.
:
Visit 10 Essen that Erlach. the pro-
fcssor OF chemistry, came into my room
before retiring for the night TO have
snok. and chat with me. Erlach
was a true son OF the Fa:herland. Like
most German students, he was very
shor;-sirhted. through much over
reading, which ncccssitated his wearing
"bul!scyc" type OF strong spectacle.
lie was afab!c and inclined TO be
communicative. During the converse
ton he told me that he and others
were on the point OF making one OF the
most gigantic discoveries of the war.
He seemed delighted that another
horror was TO he produced. and pos
sesscd real Teutonl!ke faith that the
new invention would scatter at one
blow Germany's foes and bring Vic
tory.
Despite the s,olid German nature. /
saw that il was with some difficulty
he suppressed his emotion. thought
il wise TO fattcr him n little. and said
that the whole world stood in ad,nira-
tiom OF the work of German chemists.
Grcnt New invention.
Yes" replied Erlach, thanks to
German chemists. We have been able
to beat the world in industry" He
smiled as though satisfied. and added:
Now we are going 10 stagger them
in war"
what is the new invention" I
asked. "a new shell, n new gas. or
Neither" relied Erlach. rather
abruptly.
saw that perhaps had been little
too blum, in my inquiry. bui l did not
stress the point further. but led the con-
versation into other channels.
We discussed the general war situa
ton from various aspects, and re-
marked upon the enormous amount OF
material with which the British armies
were now equipped. and particularly the
increasing power OF their heavy
artillery.
do you think the German defeuses
will forever be able 10 withstand the
guns? | asked him.
Erlach smiled blandly, and for mo-
mcnt smoked in silence.
"a worry neither about guns. men
nor defenses," he said at length. our
laboratories will beat them all. am
convinced that tomorrow we shall
have produced the means OF eXtermin-
ating all the enemies OF the Father
land"
shuddered at the contemplation OF
some new and terrible scourge which
the Huns were going to let loose on
the world. but I was careful not to let
Erlach read my thoughts. | was still
hoping that by careful questioning /
should be able TO worm from him the
secret
l'TctCnulnG 10 DC pleaScu Win the
prospect OF n speedy end TO the ter
rible struggle and the victory for Ger
many, | said. Good. I hope you will
succeed. and the world viii then stand
more than ever in awe Of the chemists
of the Fatherland."
This little compliment pleased Erlach
immensely.
II am glad you are so whole
hcartedly with u.s. sa. the professor
| vcntured another shot. and asked:
"IIow long will it take before you are
fully equipped with this new weapon?"
mot long. l hope" he replied. but
II is for the Higher Command to ar
range after the chemists have done
their work"
Throwing aside his reticence. Erlach
told me the nature of the horror.
Bacteriology was being brought to tho
aid OF Germany in her last desperate
struggle. The armies and civilians OF
her enemies were TO be dccimatc- by
means OF death-dcaling germs which
were being incubated In the labora-
tories.
1 must explain that tho research side