_A Despatch Bearer in the Diplomatic Service_
_Told by Eric Fisher Wood, Attaché at the American Embassy in Paris_
This young American tells of his experience in the Diplomatic Service
in Europe during the Great War. Ambassador Herrick placed him in
charge of the interned Germans, Austrians and Hungarians in France.
He was sent to the front four times where he saw parts of the battles
of the Marne and the Aisne and the struggle for Calais. His most
interesting adventures, however, was as a despatch bearer between
the American Embassies of practically all the European countries. He
tells how he carried secret documents between Ambassador Herrick,
Ambassador Gerard, Ambassador Page, Ambassador Penfield. This gave
him unusual diplomatic opportunities for seeing and hearing things
of extraordinary interest and significance. These are related in his
book: "The Note Book of an Attaché" (_The Century Company_: Copyright
1915) which gives sidelights on some of the most stupendous events of
the last one hundred years.
[5] I--A STORY OF THE STRANDED AMERICANS IN PARIS
When the war-storm suddenly loomed over Europe at the end of July,
1914, I was quietly studying architecture in the Ecole des Beaux-Arts
at Paris. When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 24th, the
atmosphere of the city became so surcharged with excitement that to
persist in study was difficult. Within a week I myself had been swept
into the vortex of rushing events, from which I did not emerge until
seven months later....
_Paris, Tuesday, August 4th._ When I arrived to-day the _Chancellerie_
presented an astounding sight. Around the outer door were huddled
a compact crowd of Germans, men and women; they pressed about the
entrance; they glanced furtively over their shoulders and their blue
eyes were filled with dumb apprehension. Inside the _Chancellerie_
was chaos. Hundreds of Americans and Germans crowded together seeking
audience and counsel. German women sank down in corners of the halls or
on the stairs, weeping for joy to have found a haven of refuge. Scores
of Sovereign American Citizens stood in the busiest spots and protested
with American vehemence against fate and chance. Each S.A.C. was
remonstrating about a separate grievance. Most of them reiterated from
time to time their sovereignty, and announced to no one in particular
that it was their right to see "their Ambassador" in person. They
demanded information! They needed money! They wished to know what to
do with letters of credit! What was "the government" going to do about
sending them home? Was Paris safe? Would there be immediate attacks by
Zeppelins? Could they deposit their jewels in the Embassy vaults? Were
passports necessary? WHY were passports necessary? They asked the same
questions over and over, and never listened to the answers....