The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1920-01-30
NO ROOM ABROAD
FOR SICHTSEERS
Admonition to Americans Who
Contemplate Touring the
BattIefieIds.
LONDON EVEN NOW CROWDED
Those Who Think Of Going Are A.
vised to Be Sure Of Quarters Be-
fore startins-2,000, 900 Are
Planning 70 Make Trip.

Planning to Make Trip.
New Tork.-Americans who contern-
plate visiting the battlefelds In Eu-
rope next spring or summer will be
well advised to secure their hotel &C
commodation we'll 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 floodgates
Of tourist invasion are again open Will
be appalling unless the intending
American visitors are fOrewarned and
therefore forearmed.
1t is estimated that some 2,OOO.0O0
persons-one for each man sent to
Europe by the United States during
the warfare making plans for
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 a period to a visit to Eng
land as time and funds will permit.
Mr.. BulIen has been all over the
western front during the last few
weeks and he predicts nothing but
anger, irritation and despair as 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 it 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-
mediation when the bars against tour
list travel shall have been removed.
So far no steps whatsoever have
been taken abroad to meet an unusual
influx Of visitors. Mr.. Bullen was SO
impressed with the difficulty threat
ened in London that he prepared q
memorandum on the subject, which he
submitted at recent meeting of the
Royal Colonial institute in London. In
the discussion which ensued it was
proposed that steps be taken for the
formation in London of q national
committee Of reception. As a nucleus
Of the organization it was proposed
that representatives Of the various
Anglo-American societies should meet
with power to add to their number
various representatives whose expert
ence would be useful in solving thu
problem now presented. Such person:
would include members of the Ameri
can Chamber Of Commerce in LOndor
| and other Americans, besides leadin,
| BritiSherS.
Plan Suggested.
The first essential step is 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 t.
place a room at the disposal Of tn
committee of reception. If this plal
natures London will keep in tOucl
with New York on the question Of &C
commodations and people in the Uni
ted States will be advised as to tn
best time to travel and the chances o
securing accommodation at REASONABLE
rates. At the time Mr.. Bullen left Liy
erpool nothing actually had been don
except to call attention to the prob
lem and the dissatisfaction which will
ensue if American visitors to Englan
and France next year find themselve
absolutely stranded. as is threatened.
Belgium is apparently well able t
take care of visitors to the Belgia
battlefields, mainly because Ypres
Dixmude and the much battered cOas
towns are all within easy range o
Ostend, Bruges and Client. OF all tn
battlefields visited. Mr.. Bullen dc
clares Ypres is the most devastated.
hut, with it's memories of heroic fight
ing extending from Ypres down tn
Mennen and Poelcappelle roads. ii
beautiful in it's ruins" Ostend
probably the best center for autOmt
bile parties, and the burgOmaster @
Ostend is one of the few men prepaI
ing to deal with an unexampled d.
| I~%f