Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-07-11
AVACATION TRIP TO CORSICA
A Wonderful Mountain Country That Is Very Rich In
Historic Lore.
York Boy of the American Expedtionary Forces Tells
About What He Saw on a Sightseeing Tour TO
Points of Interest.

eXClIluB udy lOi ShS hiAASA ASs--
of the Aix-Marseille University-for on
that day we were to leave for the Won
derful isle Of Corsica, unrivalled the
world over for its scenery. The day
was an ideal one. The sun was SHINING
rather hot but a little breeze offset any
excessive heat. The boys began to as
semble at the appointed time at the
club room OF the American Red Cross
carrying with them numerous kodaks
and other articles for their comfort
and luxury.
At four o'clock, the Detachment
marched to the station where a num-
ber of cars had been reserved for our
use. We quit the station at exactly
4.so taking the shore route to Touion.
where we were to embark. This route
is very famous to tourists De-
cause Of it's extreme beauty. II Is
said to be the most beautitul OF
any of the Riviera-which extends
from Monaco to Marseille. Along IT,
YOU have the view of the Mediterran-
can. palm trees, flowers and oedNlt:'ul
homes on the one side, while on the
other you have a wonderful view OF
the mountains.
We arrived at Toulon at $50, going
directly to the Place De Maritime Pre-
lecture. We were given few minutes
in which to see the town, after which
we were taken on small motor poats
to the naval barracks. They were on
little neck Of land that acted as
break-water to the main harbor. we
were conducted through numerous
iron gates, and into a place that any
one would be suspicious Of as being
prison, but I soon had my fears canned
by the presence of the barracks.
Everything seemed so nice and clean
there. The walls and beds were white
washed, and the blankets neatly roloeo
at the foot of the bed. You have al
ways heard of French Hospitality, and
even in a naval barracks-it was not
lacking. For within a few minutes
after our arrival, our hosts came out In
thousands to welcome US. At first 1
was at a loss to know whether l was
In q barrack OF at 4 priests meeting
during Pentecost, for they all wore red
robes and were silent-BEDBUGS. A
general exodus and almost instantan-
eously, IT'S Americans were converted
into astronomers. At least, they spent
the night in observing the moon and
stars.
We were awakened from our terres-
tial beds at 4 o'clock. After drinhms
a little French coffee, we went aboard
the French Cruiser Bellatrix and the
torpedo destroyer Opinatre. The least
that lie said about the eighteen hours
trip on these little boats across the
rough Mediterranean, is best-because
about one half of the ship-crcw con-
tributed to "the dejeLner" of the hsh.
The Opinatre arrived at Ajaccio about
sp.m. The Bellatrix, which was on,
had an accident and did not reach
Aiaccio until IL o'clock p. m. The en-
tire population met the Opinatre ana
gave them a wonderful reception. On
ly q few were there to meet the Bella
trix, as it was so late. We were taken
to the College de Fesch where we mad
all the comforts hotel could offer.
Wednesday was spent in Ajaccio. 1t
is the most interesting town of Corsi-
ca on accou MT ofits historical impor-
tance. It is easy to connect 1t with
Napoleon, because Of his home the
group in bronze and marble Of Napo-
leon and his four brothers, the statue
Of the premier consul, the museum
and the names Of the streets.
In the morning, we met In DIE
room of the Fesch building to hear an
address by the British consul, the Hon.
Henry Dundas. He told Of his research
es in the island and the many interest
ing things he had found in some caves
Among them was: The skeleton OF a
monkey embedded in block OF mar
BILE, and which was in perfect condl-
tion-not even the tiniest bone missing
He judged the age was about So'ooU
wears. He then went into the history
of Corsica, and I guess 1t Is good
thing for I was ignorant as to whether
il had a history or not. CA French girl
asked me once If the United States had
a history. I told her yes it had One OF
France). Anyway, here's a part o1
what he said in regard to the history
"Ths first settlers are thought to be LII
Rurians. From the beginning the de-
sirable land has been the scene OF the
most thrilling historical pageant In al
Europe. Nowhere else, unless In the
Grecian archipelago and the Neither
lands, can memory, in such starting
light, cenjure up the view Of so man!
imperial faces-Celt and Phoniclan
Phocean, and Etruscan, Carthaginlan
and Roman with all the hustle Of thrii
trading ships and the clamors OF thei'
wars fill up the Corsican centuries
clustered around the birth OF christ
Then CAME the Vandal, Goth, Mussel
man, Lord Of Alands who thought ou
and established magnificent little re-
public for Corsica that lasted for 'o'
years-to the French reVolutlon. froii
the twelfth century on, the Pisan anc
Genoese fought it out for themselves
The first intervention from France
came in the reign Of King Henry H.
and Corsica was allied to France fo'
two generations. But in 1884 Glaclnt'
Paoli became the head Of Corsican al
fairs. Two years later the honor pass
ed into the hands of Theodor Vof
Newhof-a German. He was proclaim
ed king but was soon routed by Paoii
His efforts were not crowned with an!
degree Of success. Geneva sold Corsi
ca to France in 1863. England later
had Corsica under her wings Tor
short two years. 1t was finally con
firmed to France in 1915. He closee
his speech by inviting us to his home
to see his curiosities.
We met in the afternoon in front O.
the Hotel de Vile to accompany