_Told by Herbert Bayard Swope, an American in Berlin_
These experiences and observations inside the German Empire in the
third year of the War form an invaluable narrative. They have been
recognized by one of the leading American universities as the most
important contribution of a journalist to the literature of the
Great War. Hon. James W. Gerard, American Ambassador to the German
Empire, says: "The facts and experiences ... (of Herbert Bayard
Swope), gathered first-hand by the author, whose friendship I
value and whose professional equipment I admire, form an important
contribution to contemporaneous history." Mr. Swope says: "My
volume is based upon a series of articles I wrote for the _New York
World_, and I am grateful to Mr. Ralph Pulitzer of that paper, for
permission to use the material in this form." This inspiring book
is published by _The Century Company_: Copyright, 1917, with whose
authority this chapter is given.
[8] I--JOURNEYS IN THE SPY-BESIEGED LAND
Germany to-day is a giant fortress completely ringed by besiegers.
Every man, woman, and child, all the beasts of burden and food, are
checked and located. The doors have been locked against travelers
seeking to enter and those seeking to depart. Only in exceptional cases
are visitors received, and in rarer instances are natives permitted to
leave.
The police are able at all times to account for every one of the
population, passport issuance has been made extremely difficult, the
ordeal of search and inquest at the frontier is severe and thorough,
interior travel has been sharply restricted, every foot of the border
is guarded against illegal entry, obstacles have been put in the way
of mail and telegraph communications, the espionage system has been
multiplied in efficiency and extent--all for the safety of the empire.
And because this is the underlying reason for them, the Germans have
submitted to the restrictions willingly, and, instead of rebelling, aid
them.
The spy mania that swept over war-ridden Europe two years ago has
lessened in its visible intensity in Germany, but the precaution
against spies has been increased. The people have confidence in the
safeguards against espionage, and so suspicion has been quieted. How
well this confidence is justified can be attested by any one who has
been inside the empire in the second year of the war.
A stranger is under observation from the time he enters until he has
left. The watchfulness is not obtrusive, it is rarely evident; but it
is always thorough. Within twelve hours of a visitor's arrival he must
report in person at the nearest police station, and every time he makes
a railroad journey this operation must be repeated.
When an American undertakes a voyage to Germany, the wheels of the
imperial Government begin to revolve immediately upon the first
application for a visé to his passport being made in this country.
The first question to be answered concerns the applicant's character,
so that Germany may feel sure he does not purpose to aid or abet her
enemies; and the second, the actual need of the business that causes
him to make the trip. Obtaining a passport from the American Government
is attended by many formalities, and these are renewed when the German
consul-generals are asked to approve.
Germany insists that a fortnight intervene between the application for
a visé and the beginning of the trip. This is to enable her officials
to make the necessary investigations, and then to communicate the facts
to Berlin and to the traveler's port of arrival.
All travel between America and Germany is through Copenhagen,
Stockholm, or Rotterdam. From Copenhagen the traveler enters Germany
through Warnemunde; from Stockholm he enters through Sassnitz; and
from Rotterdam through Bentheim. Upon his arrival at one of the three
neutral cities he must begin the proceedings afresh....
Upon arrival at Warnemunde (the methods throughout the empire are
standardized, and are the same at every other entrance point) the
travelers are shunted into a long low wooden shed, carrying their hand
baggage, having previously surrendered the checks for their heavier
luggage. Upon entering the place they are given numbers, and in return
surrender their passports to brisk, keen-eyed, non-commissioned
officers, whose efficiency has been increased by long practice.