A War-time Journal, Germany 1914 and German Travel Notes | Page 8

The American Ambassador at Berlin has
telegraphed that we English are not to leave! The Russians are going,
but our treatment is retaliatory, because they say England is detaining
German women, and Russia lets them go. To make all worse Fraulein
S----, tired of keeping me so long for nothing, has given me notice to
quit at the moment when for three days I have had no greater fortune
than 2d. in my pocket. Where I am to go, or who will take me in
without money I can't imagine! The American Ambassador in Berlin
and Mr. Ives, the American Vice-Consul at Frankfort, are working
untiringly and most kindly for us. We do not complain of actual harsh
treatment, although to be turned adrift in the world without money by
one whose tenant I had been for five years is hardly kind. However,
war is war undoubtedly. Mr. Ives is from the Southern States, Mr. H----,
his Chief, from the Northern. The Scotch chauffeur has been released
after a week in prison. He looks pale and dispirited, "a sadder," and no
doubt "a wiser man."
September 5th.--The "Times" of the 5th August has turned up in
Altheim. It has gone the round of our little community until such a

worn, creased remnant reached me, that I had much ado to keep it
together until I could master its contents. One felt a second Rip Van
Winkle, awaking after a long sleep, our world being so confined here.
At last I have discovered how to get money from England. One writes
to the American Embassy in Berlin, and encloses a telegram (with
postal order for the same) to one's banker in London, instructing him to
pay the sum of money wanted to the American Embassy in London, to
be forwarded through their kind offices to the Embassy in Berlin. The
telegram to be written on a sheet of foolscap paper, with the full name
and address of the sender, and the name also of the nearest American
Consul. No letters can be sent through this channel.
September 6th.--No church now! Even that taken from us! The
American Vice-Consul has been here, and still thinks that we may get
away in a fortnight. We are sick with hoping and being disappointed.
The German Press full of the most virulent abuse of England,
"treacherous," "hypocritical," "lying," "cowardly," "boastful," there is
no bad name they don't call her! Russia and France and Belgium get no
lashings of scorn and fury and hatred such as England does! At last the
account of Sir Edward Goschen's interviews with Von Jagow and
Bethmann Hollweg has appeared in the German papers. I had read it all
in the "Corriere della Sera" long ago. They talk of stopping Italian
papers in Germany since they are pro-English (in German, "lying").
Most of my English friends here went to the German church to-day.
The Pfarrer pointed out to his congregation how clearly God had
favoured their cause, how victory had followed victory, the virtuous,
religious people triumphing over the wicked, ungodly nations. Then he
spoke of the day so near when Germany should annihilate the "Macht
von England," and teach her when crushed and humbled "die
Wahrheit," Religion and Morality! Humph!
September 7th.--Wonder of wonders! no bell-ringing to-day, nor
processions of singing youngsters, so we hope there is a lull in the
"Sieges."
Miss H---- went last week to have her hair washed, and during the
process her hair-dresser remarked casually to her, "We shall be in Paris

in a day or two, and in London in another week, and when we have
conquered England as well as France you will all have to learn to speak
German." This shows the amazing conceit and arrogance of the people.
Poor, ignorant things, they are quite hoodwinked by their rulers--and
even look forward to seeing their Kaiser "Emperor of Europe"! One
day we read that a bag has been made of 30,000 Russians, the next that
the number was understated, and that it is 70,000. As for Belgians and
French, every day 10,000 men and guns ad lib. are captured, and the
poor silly people believe it all. Villas and streets are still beflagged, and
by this time we know every patriotic song in the "Vaterlandslieder"
book by heart. One tries to be plucky, but our hearts are very sad just
now.
Paris seems doomed, and apparently the French have abandoned hope
too, since Poincaré and his Cabinet have gone to Bordeaux. The
German Press call him a "Feiger" (Coward).
September 9th.--Unaccountably the forward march seems to have been
checked, although we don't know why. Maubeuge has fallen, and of
course the usual bell-ringing and bunting and singing has celebrated the
victory. We cannot understand what our troops are doing. There is no
mention of