South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-06-14
Weisberg, Home From European
Tour, Tells of Post War Conditions

full day for the lover OF the beauti-
ful and those interested !n the col
orful history OF the French.
The bsttlehelds next claimed my
attention and I was advised 20 visit
Rheims All the pictures 7 had seen
were az nothing 10 a close up OF
the shell torn Cathedral. II IS still
a picturesque structure although
perforated pitifully
After a survey OF the town and
visit TO the famous champagne caves
I motorei through 20 miles OF the
surrounding country. stopping at
Berry au Bee. Hill 1Os. Chemin des
Danes. Cracune and numerous viz
lagos that are still a mass OF ruins
The deva station is depressing Some
OF the older residents prefer 10 ex-
ist IN shacks and novels rather than
leave the sites OF their former home
steads and farmlands.
on a country road near a village
that had been literally flattened I
encountered a prematurely old gray
woman. very poorly clothed. carry
the valley. I stopped the car and
asked her 10 sell me the lilies. Her
face was expressionless and her eyes
stared at me vacantly and wonder
ingly. Take them Monsieur" she
said. they grow everywhere-it is a
pleasure" She did not want to ac-
cept payment and as I looked at this
frail, frightened. half-nourished soul
the horrors she and others had pass
ed through came 10 me more wildly
than ever before. II was sad mem
DRY that will live with me for some
time.
Visits Belgium. Germany.
While was in Paris an announce
ment was made Of an international
balloon race and I spent two inter-
esting hours in the Gardens Of the
Tuineries watching the departure Of
the IA contestants in an exciting
Although my itinerary included
Belgium and Germany I was loath
to pack up and leave Paris but my
time was limited, so after two weeks
in the Gay Capital I boarded the
train for Cologne. Enroute 1 stor-
ped at Idege for three hours and
motored through the quaint old
town. At Cologne I stopped at the
Continental hotel and was made very
comfortable at a very reasonable
4, cost. The British are in possession
Of Cologne and they regulate the
prices Of storekeepers and hotel
proprietors.
The Dom or Cathedral at Cologne
| is the centar Of attraction and is
we'll worth a visit Here I came face
to face with the first signs OF money
shortage in Germany. The Dom is
noted for its rare stained glass win
of this glass was being removed TO
be sold for funds for the upkeep OF
the Cathedral.
From Cologne I went 70 Hanover
for a few hours and 1 was well re-
Iaid for the stop. There are found
streets Of picturesque old dwellings
that date back hundreds Of years
and are still occupied by residents
who take pride in the maintenance
OF these ancient, attractive houses.
The following day I arrived in
/ Berlin and made my way TO the
| Bristol hotel. 1 had written from
Paris for accommodation and had
received a cordial and reassuring
wire from Mr. Kratschmer, the wide
awake manager Of the Bristol. that
would be well taken care of. This
was good news considering Nhe
alarming reports in the American
/ papers published in Paris regarding
( the crowded condition Of the Ber-
lin hotels I found Mr.. Kratschmer
I to be the host Of hosts. His duties
are manifold for in addition to the
! time and effort he puts in as general
/ manager of the Bristol hotel he su-
pervises IA other establishments
! hotels, restaurants and theaters,-in
and around Berlin. Too much can
not be said OF his ability as an or
I ganizer. He is an indefatigable work
er but in spite OF his great resIon-
sibility he is always ready TO give
personal attention TO the require
ments and comfort OF his guests. 1
was his happy dinner guest when
met his charming wife and the
pleasure OF that evening will always
he an lneffaceable memory. It will
! be remembered that Mr.. Kratschmer
acted as General Manager Of the
| Adlon hotel in Berlin for a period
Of two years and for the past 10
years he has piloted his fellow no
tel men. working IN the interests Of
hotel men throughout Germany.
Berlin is the finest and biggest