The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1943-02-08
TRAVELLER FOR FIFTY YEARS,
YET NEVER HAD A THRILL
BY RAY PEACOCK
Ap Feature Writer


myself there was a small, round
topped table, II was, ne said, "the
only unpolluted bit of Paris left
IN the world 49,
lie stole the table from in front
OF the Cafe de la Paix in 1881
s'oIe II oStentatiously, with the
proprietor closing one eye and
grlnhlng cameramen recording the
oeed. The bald-faced bit of thiev-
cry was related in newspapers all
over the world. Holmes had been
elVtlhg at the table for years, and
just wanted it. Much note of it was
made in Japan.
Inc Japanese didn't quite un-
derStand. Burton Holmes doesn't
quite understand the Japanese any
more, either. Their country was
the first he visited, when he be-
gan his singular profession of
travel lecturing, SO years ago
This is his golden anniversary
year.
Once A FairYland
Il went to Japan ten times" he
told me. AT first it was a fairy
land. saw a change coming in
1882, the last time | was there. Two
little boys came up and spoke to
me in English. They asked if l
didn't think they had the best
army and the best navy in the
world. They said they would
proudly die for their emperor.
Il said every country thought
it had the best army and navy.
But those are the little mis- edu-
Gated boys of ten years ago who
are the japanese army today.
They got that doctrine rubbed
into them, and | think they would
rather be rubbed out than see it
fail. Japan used to be clean and
decent. | can't realize the change"
Lecture Business Booms
Burton Holmes could be ex-
cused for becoming nostalgia over
the changes in the world as he has
seen them take place. But he
wasn't in the least, for his bust
ness is better than at any time in
the last half-dozen years. ....,
Two of his most popular illus
trated lectures now deal with
North Africa AMI Russia. Pictures
he took in Morocco 40 years ago
now go very wei for contrast with
his recent ones
Born in Chifgo, Jan. 3, 1871,
of fairly Wdl-to-do parents,
Holmes acquired an early love of
travel and photography.
Grew Bed I'd In Japan
! In 1893 he q ave his first pro-
fessional lecture. on Japan. he.
had been there he year before. 1t
was in 1892 alsb that he first ac-
quired his beard. Il got disguised
with a japanese barber and re-
fused to go Though that torture
again." he said.
AS the years went on his tame
orew and so did his technical
skill. He first used a motion pic
+uro camera in 1897. Now he uses
colored motion picture film, black
and-White film, ana slides.
Sought Honey Things
A gentleman OF the old school,
u,ith wing collaA and sedate bow
t;e Holmes goes his way queetly,
hut in 2 most up to-the-minute
manner His blue eyes are clear,
and while his white halr Is thln-
ming, his Van Dyke IS as carefully
strimmed as evef.
All his professional life ne has
ovo;ded The spectacular in search
If honey things people like. He
sbas heen in many dangerous
-, particularly the European
so+s during World War l when
- sc - CORRESPONDENT" for him.
rs No ALWAYS felt that the shoot
ing was abstract
Courage" he told me, CON
o;.+s in the conviction that they're
not shooting at me - because I'm
~, me- and think I'm a nice fellow"
Actually, he was shot at twice
oaco was in 1894 as he was leav-
- the sacred Moroccan city OF
W 1us (Quizan). Once was dur
W. the Philippine instruction,
MS 'Son an army camp near San Fer
WI redo was surrounded by Agui-
I'd men. There was sequel
nc s'i 1o19 at San Fernando, he shot
na,,inaldo - with a camera.
H. never has carried a tirearm.
ne o,,er has been shipwrecked,
a ~ in a train wreck, Fifty years
= no :.hn,t a thrill" he says, laugh
ingly. ni,,red once three
D~ 400 in Finland. His automo-
ysSiS WAS rolling along little used
Dlie Over the. hill came another
road 9fw t@aifiys uc61lided = and
car; ,,osi' left 1eE vas broken. He
HON.; ~ hospital ix'months, and
was ,life who has been with him
MS % trips during their % years
on % rriaee. was confined for five
OF ma Ne still uses canes when
weeks. ,,,,,ch walking to do. His
he nd' from Finland was on the
return onot;me Voyage of the his
toric Gripsholmi