The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-12-26
NO ROOM ABROAD
FOR SICHTSEERS
Admonition to Americans Who
Contemplate Touring the
BattIefieIds.
LONDON EVEN NOW CROWDED
Those Who Think 81 Coins Are A.
vised to Be Sure Of Quarters BE-
fore Starting, ,ooo, 900 Are
Planning to Make Trip.

New York.-Americans who contem-
plate visiting the battlenelds in Eu-
rope next spring or summer will be
well advised to secure their hotel ac-
eommodation well In advance or to
postpone their journey until conditions
are more favorable. Percy s. Bullen.
treasurer of the Association of For
eign Press Representatives in the Uni
ted States, who has just returned to
New York, says that London even now
cannot find room for visitors and that
the state Of affairs when the fioodgates
Of tourist invasion are again open will
be appalling unless the intending
American visitors are forewarned and
therefore forearmed.
1t is estimated that some 1000, 900
persons-One for each man sent to
Europe by the United States during
the war-are making plans for a
transatlantic trip In the next two
years. Their chief object is to see
the historic spots where the American
soldiers fOught-the Argonne forest,
Chateau-Thierry, st. Mihiel-and to
devote such period to q visit to Eng
land as time and funds will permit.
Mr.. Bullen has been all over the
western front during the last few
weeks and he predicts nothing but
anger, irritation and despair a. the
lot Of any visitors who trust to luck
to secure hotel accommodations.
No Steps Yet Taken.
The difficulty Of the situation will
be realized when 1t is remembered
that the usual flow of tourists to
Europe has been completely suspend
ed during the war and that only those
among the wealthiest will have the
first chance of securing hotel accom-
modation when the bars against tour
ist travel shall have been removed.
So far no steps Whatsoever have
been ta' n abroad to meet an unusual
influx 8. visitors. Mr.. Bullen was 30
impressed with the difficulty threat
ened In London that he prepared a
memorandum on the subject, which he
submitted at q recent meeting Of the
Royal Colonial institute In London. In
the discussion which ensued 1t was
proposed that steps be taken for the
formation in London OF Q national
committee Of reception. Al = nucleus
Of the organization 1t was proposed
that representatives Of the various
Anglo-American societies should meet,
with power to add to their number
various representative whose expsri-
ence would be useful In solving the
problem now presented. Such persons
would include members Of the Ameri-
can Chamber Of Commerce In London
and other Americans, besides leading
Britishers.
Plan 9uouestsd.
The first essential step IL to mo-
bilize and list all available accommo-
dation provided by hotels and board
ing houses, and then enlist the assist
ance Of every householder willing to
place room at the disposal Of the
committee of reception. II this plan
natures London will keep In touch
with New York on the question Of ac-
commodations and people in the Uni
ted States will be advised as to the
best time to travel and the chances Of
securing accommodation at reasonable
rates. At the time Mr.. Bullen left Liv-
erpool nothing actually had been done
except to call attention to the prob
lem and the dissatisfaction which will
ensue If American visitors to England
and France next year find themselves
absolutely stranded. as Is threatened.
Belgium is apparently well able to
take care of visitors to the Belgian
battlefields, mainly because Ypres.
Dixlnude and the much battered coast
towns are all within easy range Of
Ostend. Bruges and Client. OF all the
hattleEelds visited. Mr.. Bullen de-
cIares Ypres is the 'most devastated"
but. with its memories of heroic fight
ing extending from Ypres down the
Mennen and Poelcappelle roads, .is
beautiful In Its ruins" Ostend =
probably the best center for aut0mo-
bile parties. and the burg0master 0f
Ostcnd rs one Of the few men prepar.
ing 10 deal with an unexampled de-