Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1914 — FATHER HORDEMAN TALKS [ARTICLE]

FATHER HORDEMAN TALKS

Interestingly of His Recent Trip to Europe and of the Warring Countries. Father William B. Hordeman of Frankfort, formerly of Rensselaer, and a brother of the Hordeman boys here, was interviewed by the Frankfort his return from Europe last week, and the Cresent says of him: T hat Germany has not nearly exhausted her fighting strength, but can easily muster from two to three million more men, by calling out the last reserves, is declared by Rev. W. B. Hordeman, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic church of this city, who returned to Frankfort last evening, after spending several months in continental Europe, more than two months of which was in Germany during the war time. Father Horedman was in the fatherland visiting relatives when the great European war broke out. He saw the war fever develop in the German people; was a spectator when countless trains of the kaiser’s soldiers were inobilized, and hurried toward the Belgian and French borders; he witnessed the great activity of workmen at the 'JCrupp steel factories at Essen, where the great guns used by the German army are manufactured. Being a German, Father Hordeman sympathizes with the cause of Germany in the war. He declares the minds of American people have been prejudiced against Germans, through English, French and Russian news sources, and because of the fact that the Americans are more closely related to Great Britain. Germany More Sinned Against. Germany is more sinned against, than sinning, is the opinion of the B rankfort priest, who declares the great war was the outcome of years of ever growing jealousy, with Germany aided alone by the AustriaHungarian empire, aliened against great, brutal Russia on the east, and France and England on the west. “Russia precipitated this war,” declared the priest. The assassination

of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife, was only a flimsy excuse to set into motion a military program that had long been planned by the enemies of Germany. It was Russia, who first made war-like moves in mobilization. It was Russia who failed to reply to Germany’s demand for an explanation of mobilization. Germany quite understood the position of France, whose hatred since the war of 1870, has steadily grown against the German people. Germany understood that France would not attack her alone, but if the chance came to secure the aid of other nations, she would be at the throat of her conqueror in 1870. Germany well understood the increasing alarm of England, regarding German commercial prdgress and encroachment upon Britain’s long standing title, “mistress of the seas.’’ Tune to Check Germans. “It was time to put a check upon this too fast developing Germany, and for a complexity of reasons, involving hates of the aristocracy of the nations themselves, deeper seated feuds carried over from preceding wars, commercial jealousies, and lastly the lust for territorial gains that might result from the conquest of Germany, and Austria, the war was on. “But the allies have found Germany a foe worthy of their steel. Although the first steps menacing war were taken by Russia, following Servia’s reply that she would not comply with Austria s ultimatum, Germany was the first to get on the field. Why? Because the great military organization of Germany. Russia, who started mobilization first, was the last to be ready. England Foresaw the War. “In England the war has not yet reached a stage of universal popularity, and it is well known that difficulty is being experienced in securing volunteers. In some cities the women have taken up the cause and are subjecting men who will not enlist, to ridicule. Some have offered to reward each man who remains at home, with a white feather. Yet this is in spite of the fact that England had been sending troops quietly into France, before the war was officially declared. England knew a crisis was emminent, and prepared for it. Thanks to the organization of the German army, the Germans were ready when the crisis did break. Judging by the character of press dispatches I have read in America, it can be presumed when the French are not claiming great victories, they are suffering heavily.” Americans Are Not Molested. , Stories to the effect that Americans in Germany were molested, or had trouble in leaving the country during the war, were denied by Father Hordeman. The priest explains that because of the war, the country was torn up, and because of railroad and mail (disturbance, it was hard to travel, or get in touch with the outside world. However, foreigners in Germany who identified themselves, were not bothered in the slightest degree, but instead were treated with greatest courtesy.

’I he reason why it was impossible to get mail out of the country, was because the call to arms took thousands from the postal offices and departments throughout the nation. This left the mail piled up in offices, or held up because of lack of train facilities. Then when the German trans-Atlantic cable was cut on August 2, there was no means of communicating outside of the country, except through Holland, and thence by steamship or rail. Had Been Touring Italy. After a tour of Italy, touching at Algeries, and’ other points, Father Hordeman, accompanied by his uncle, William Bordeman, of Genessee, Idaho, arrives at Munich, on July 3. They spent a day'in Munich and then went yto Frankfort on the Main, where they-’visited on July 4. Frankfort is a modern German city oi 300,000, with comprehensive manufactories. From here they went to Groseneder, in Westphalia province, where they visited with Joseph Horderman, an uncle of Father Hordeman, arriving there on July 5. After two weeks in Groseneder they went to Berlin for five days, then returning to Groseneder. The remainder of the time was spent in visiting nearby cities and towns in Germany, until July 28, when they went to Essen This city is the site of the big Krupp steel works, where 80,000 men are employed. Here the German cannon, and war armament is manufactured, and so jealously are the secrets of the industry guarded, that visitors are net allow-ed in the institution. On the day after their arrival in Essen, July 29, war was declared by Austria upon Servia. Germans Excited Over War. The Germans were highly excited over the war. Prospects of Germany becoming involved grew, as it was learned that Russia was taking warlike moves. “All eyes were turned on Russia,” said Father Hordeman. “What will Russia do?” wks the question predominating in the minds of all. Then the German demand was sent, asking Russia’s intentions, and when no reply was forthcoming Germany took logical steps for its own [protection. “.Ate soon as the war broke out all strangers and foreigners reported at police headquarters. .There was no trouble, and we watched with interest the preparations for war. Soon the railroads were taken over by the government in dispatching troops. Scores of trains passed through Essen, which was on a direct route to Belgium and France. In three hours on one day we counted 48 troop trains. We went down to the station and chatted with the soldiers. None seemed to know whence they were bound, but all were filled with enthusiasm and they answered cheers that were given them at each town. In towns where the trains stopped, the women carried refreshments to the soldiers consisting of cakes) coffee, lemonade and the like. Cannons Carried on Flat Cara. Along with the troop trains were flat cars, upon which countless machine and siege guns, varying in size from automatics, to the heaviest Krupp guns, were transported. I’or the first ten days there were no trains excepting military trains. The soldiers were called out according to their classification by age. First the youngest from 18 to 28 were called. Next came the second class, civilians who had done military service, from 28 to 39 years old. The last class comprising men from 39 to 50 years old, had not been called when 1 finally left Germany, on September 18. These men, who will aggregate from two to three million, are being held in last reserve, and then the boys and old men may be called. It will be seen that Germany still has great fighting resources sd far as her men are concerned. ’ Although we saw no wounded or prisoners, w'e talked to persons who had, and they told us that the German hospitals in all the cities and towns were being filled with wounded of German, French, Belgian and English armies. It was a long time before we heard of Liege, and the progress of the German troops into Belgium. The war news was guarded by the war department. Seeks to Return Home. "Finally we were able to get into touch with the American consul at Cassell, Germany, who told us we could get a steamer for America from Rotterdam, Holland. He told us how we could get into Holland. I had written on August 2, to relatives in America stating that we were all

right. I have learned that the letters were not received here until September 18. It was on September 15 that we departed, in company with a number of other Americans and other foreigners, for Rotterdam, starting from Warburg. We transferred to a Holland train at the border. The steamer on which we sailed, the Holland-American liner Noordam, shipped on September 23. It had been delayed five days by the English. There were 1,800 passengers aboard. In Holland we learned that Americans needing aid could receive the same from the American consul at the Hague. Detained by War Vessels. “Our steamer was thrice stopped by English and French war vessels. We first put in at Dover, England, from Rotterdam. Here an English man-of-war came up to us, and officers came aboard, inspecting the passports of each passenger. One man was taken off the vessel. He claimed to have lost part of his passports. After the English were satisfied, we were allowed to put out to sea. The man taken off, we were told, was a German, who had been in America, and was seeking to return. We don’t .Enow what happened to him in England. Im (supposed he was held, as X prisoner. 'At three o’clock next morning we were stopped by two cruisers in the English channel, and lost two hours, while officers from the warships determined the identity of our vessel. Eight men and two officers came aboard. About two hours later another English warship stopped us off the south coast of Ireland. Hero we again established our identity, and then proceeded without further incident to America. “We arrived in New York on Friday, October 2. After visiting there with relatives, we left' Monday, arriving in Indianapolis Tuesday afternoon and came over the Monon to Frankfort last evening." First Stop Was in Algeries. With his upcle, William Hordeman, Father Hordeman sailed from New York on June 3. The first stop was at Algeries, where the Arabian city was visited. “Approaching Algeries is like nearing a great world fair, and reminded me of that of the St. Louis exposition,” said Father Hordeman. “The buildings are white with red roofs, and of Arabian architecture, the city presents a wonderful sight from the bay. Everything is different from the things we know. The natives are swarthy, but there are many French in the city. “From Algeries we went to Naples, Italy. Here we spent six days, visiting the excavations at the ancient city of Pompeii, the museums, ahd journeyed to the top of Mt. Vesuvius. We were able to look into the mouth of the crater, and behold the burning sulphur and lava in its depths. The crater is now 2,000 feet in circumference at the summit, the top having been blown off at the last eruption. In Pompeii many of the buildings have been restored. We also visited the cathedral at Naples, which at one time served as a pagan temple. Naples is a city of about a million inhabitants, and is quite modern We were able to make ourselves understood and could converse with priests in Latin.” Sightseeing in Old Rome. The next stop was in Rome. Here the tourists spent several days, although the weather was becoming very warm. "One could stay for months in Rome, and then not see all," said Father Hordeman. Dur ing our stay we had an audience with Pope Pius X. It was known then ihat he was in frail health, but his vitality appeared strong, when we saw him. There were 60 in our party, which received the pontifical blessing. We secured our audience through the American college, receiving a recommendation to Secretary Merry cel Vai, who then gave us the time for our audience. “The audience was in the throne room. It was an immense expanse, and 1 would say our Frankfort library building w'ould easily repose in one-fourth of the room, so great is the size and height of ceiling. It is guarded by the Swiss guards. The draperies are beautiful. The throne itself is inlaid with gold. Visit. Art Galleries. Several days were spent in visiting the art galleries, St. Peter’s, the catacombs, the old Roman ampitheater, the forum and market place, and other historic points. Father Hordeman was permitted to say mass at one of the altars in St. Peter’s, the great cathedral with its many domes and beautiful interior. Italian altar boys were supplied to serve mass ( t or the Frankfort priest. The several churches in Rome were visited, also old Roman temples standing in ruins. The Appian way was traversed, and the Quo Vadis temple, which marks the point at which St. Peter beheld thei apparation of Christ, who told him to return to Rome at the time of the prosecutions, was visited. Also the Peter and Paul chapel, marking the point where the two apostles separated, on being led to execution, were visited. Father Hordeman described his visit to the catacombs, the underground passages in which the early Christians took refuge to escape persecution. Some of these are of four stories in depth, one being arranged over the other. Along the sides of the passageways are arranged the tombs of early Christians. Many of those who have been identified, have been removed to\the several churches. While in Rome, the tourists saw the residence of the king, and many other public buildings.

Many Streets Are ('rooked. There are many remarkable things about Rome, according to Father Hordeman. which impress the American visitor. The city is in some sections resembles that of an American city. In other places the streets are narrow and crooked. It is a difficult and almost impossible task to find some of the streets. The sidewalks are narrow, and confusion prevails in traffic. Pedestrians have almost no rights, and the traffic officers make no attempt to preserve order, but a rule of “catch as catch can” prevails. Two-wheeled carts abound, and there

can scarcely be seen a four-wheeled wagon. Civilization moves more slowly. They haven’t the spirit of progress and industry of Americans. The cost of living is at least as high as that in American cities. Meats and clothing are somewhat higher. Dinner costs in Rome 5 or 6 lire, which is about $1.20, and a very light breakfast of toast, eggs and coffee costs 1% lire, or about 35c. Florence a Garden Spot. The travelers went to Florence from Rome, and beheld Italy’s garden spot. “The city is located in a valley, and resembles a great natural park. The scenery is beautiful, end the setting is restive. Here we visited the tomb of Michael Angelo, and the prison that contained Savanarollia, also the big cathedral.” At Venice, the city of bridges, the tourists were conveyed about the city by gondoliers. They spent three days visiting the ancient prison, saw the bridge of sighs, and other points of interest. From Venice they went to Imbruck, in Tyrol, where they visited the Alps, climbing to a height of 3,000 feet above the sea level. It was from Imbrugfe that they proceeded to Munich, in Germany. “But few people know that the -lxin£_£f__llaly is insane.” said the priest. “Victor Emanual is a - maniac confined to his castle and his mental derangment was produced by worry oyer the war and the complicating (onditicns involving his people.”