The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-04-30
AMERICANS ARE BEGINNING TO
 GO TO EUROPE


 advanced bookings are now being made well into the summer. They anticipate a s1ll bigger rush in the course of another month.
 From inquiries that are reaching the travel bureaus and other offices it is evident that not only are thous- ands of Americans turning their at tention to foreign travel, but many are asking: "Is trip to Europe ad- yisable now? What is the exact Sit nation in regard to European travel and hotel accommodations? What are the facts?'
 The following summary, which supplies concise answers to such questions. has been prepared with great care. It applies to travel con- ditions along the most frequented along the most frequented routes in the allied and neutral countries.
 In the first place, it may be em- phasized that American tourists will be most cordially welcomed in all countries outside of Russia, Ger many, Serbia and Poland, where tra- vel is wholly inadvisable and food is scarce. Elsewhere life, on the sur face, has been largely e-established on a pre-war basis, with the usual comforts and a plentiful supply of food. Moreover, in Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Spain, Holland Belgium and the Scandinavian coun- tries, where campaigns have been started to encourage tourist travel, various local and national commit tees are distributing literature which indicates a general eagerness and readiness to care for tourists. Ob- vioa1sly there would be no such eager ness if comfort and food in plenty could not be offered.
 In France the highways are being rebuilt to facilitate automobile travel, and special permits to touring motor istS are being issued. For the benefit of tourists who wish to visit the bat tlefieads, the railways have arranged excursions to all parts of the war zone. Aerial tours of the battlefields have also been devised, the parties being accompanied by a lecturer who negaphones ident1fcations of the principal ruins far below.
 Switzerland and Italy are also talk ing energetic measures to assure the world that they are ready once again to receive visitors. Both countries have enormous amounts of money in- vested in hotels and various attrac- tions for tourists, and it is un1oubted- ly to the advantage of all concerned that these shall once more be fulfill ing their original purpose.
 No one, therefore, need fear that in visiting Europe he will be like an unbidden guest in a house of mourn ing. He will not find the nations bowed down with cares Outwardly their only thought seems to be to re- pair the damage, and to make their fair lands fit places in which to live One sees little of the wreckage of war either human wreckage or that of mere material, unless he goes in search of it.
 A recent traveller returning. reports that he saw but one mained man in Paris. It would be possible to follow many of the familiar paths from Naples to London without seeing a sign of wars devastation. Of course the districts where the battles ragged show indescribable ruin, but even their grim realities fade from the pie ture, and the visitor is conscious more of the subEmity of sacrifice than of the agony of physical suffer- ing
 But, let no one think that all one needs to do is to buy a ticket and pack a trunk, and be off as in the carefree days before the war. There are certain formalities to observe, but no serious difficulties.
 First of all, there is the passport,
  rule one can be obtained within a week or ten days from the time ap- plication is filed. The passport appli- cation is simplicity itself. In filling it out it is necessary to attach your birth certificate an affidavit to take its place. It is also necessary to attach photographs of a carefully specified size and type. When the application form has been properly filled out, you go to the proper gov ernment official, accompanied by a witness, present your application with photographs and certificate at tached, and swear to the truth of your statements. The fee for the passport is s.
 Having secured your passport, it is necessary to have it vised by the con- su1s of the countries in which you ex- pect to travel If you are dealing with any of the large travel agencies they will send you the wise forms, yot will 6u them out and return them and they will do the rest. If you art travelling Independently, there is nt trouble about getting the passpor vised yourself. The consulS of tht allied and neutral countries will vis' a passport without question as to th< purpose of the journey.
 Have you paid your income tax Pardon the question, but it is no mere idle curiosity that prompts it, nor ye zeal for Uncte Sam, who supplies al the zeal required. If you have no paid your tax he will not allow you t sail. If you have paid it, includin; such miscellaneous as will fall du, while you are away, you may presen the receipts, together with your pass port and your steamer ticket at a cer tain room in the Customs House where you will receive permission t embark. This is another thing tha the tourist agency can do for you i you wish.
 Passports, foreign consular wise: authorization permits-yours for tn asking, provided you ask as you ar asked to ask, as one might say, an provided you do not wait until tn last minute before you do it. The eS tra time and patience required i these preparations for departure ar merely part of the extra cost c travel
 In the selection of steamship ac commodation the range of choice as great as ever, and rne quality c fha tourist rIJSh is inst he