Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-06
OUTWITTING AUSTRIANS

COME time, possibly even in his next novel
~ some of Joseph Conrads experiences In +
those months Immediately following the out
break of the war, when he was isolated from
ihc rest Of the world in Poland, may becoms
rublic. From little snatches of gossip and
limitations which are picked up here and
there it becomes more and more likely that
what happened to Mr. Conrad in getting out
Of Poland will make interesting reading. One
phase Of these experiences was described the
ether day to friend by former Ambassador
Penfeld, who until recently represented the
interests Of the United States at the Austrian
court.
II will be remembered that Mr.. Conrad
and his family had gone to Poland shortly
before the outbreak of the war to visit the
scenes OF his youth and spend few weeks In
leisurely travel In his native country. Then
when the delugc broke and Mr.. Conrads
friends found it impossible to communicate
with him they began to feel anxiety. Ali
the efforts of his bankers and his publishers
TO get into touch with him and to get to
nm with funds failed. In the effort both
Ambassador Page at London and Ambassador
Iehlleld at Vienna were called upon, and
finally Mr. Penfield succeeded in reaching Mr.
conrad by special messenger sent into
l'oland with money and papers which would
insure ms safe return at least TO Vienna
Ihus one day, weeks later, was ushered
INTO Ambassador Penfelds Office the great
Poilsh-English novelist. 1t so happens that
MT. Fenheld had been for many years ono
oil the legion of Conrad admirers, and there
1ore MS interest in being of service to the
novelist was just that much greater and 9
warm friendship sprang up between the two
Immediately
Unfortunately, however for Mr. Conrads
sake when the ambassador asked for pass
ports Tor the novelist and his family the Aus.
ti0NprnmnDt 1a1a anita
answer on the basis that Mr.. Conrad was
SUBJECT OF Great Britain. So the Conrad fam
n.y. virtually cut off from the rest of the
world sat cooling their heels in Vienna, to
al lhtehts ana purposes interned, tryine
every way that they could hit upon for getting
back to England. Finally Mr.. Conrad made
friends with the chief police authority Of
the city, subscribing to his pet charities and
otherwise making himself pleasant Mr. Pen
helds advice had been from the very be-
e.iln'hs Oh the negotiations. when you get
'he word 10 go. start without consulting any
one else, no matter from what official the
permission comes" ~
The result, presumably. at least vas pass
Tor the Conrads disappeared fro.r Vienna
after many days two letters wer, placed
upon MI fenheld's desk, one of thehi upon
the risht-hand side and one upon the left
| hand side. Il
Seeing Conrads well-known handwriting
on the envelope on his left the ambassador
opened this letter first. 1t read: I'VE are
| In sight Of the chalk cliffs of England and
within twenty minutes will be upon English
SOIL. The letter concluded with warm thanks
to Mr.. Penheld for HIS efforts
turning TO the right-hand side Of his desk
ne picked up the second letter. which waf
an omeial document from the Austrian Fors
eign once and which said that under no
circumstances would Mr.. Conrad or his fam
~ De ahowed to leave the country dar'
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