ON THE BROAD ATLANTIC
URING Sunday following our sailing we passed through the Irish Sea, which was very rough. The davits were taken down and the passengers ordered below. On Monday the sea was somewhat calmer. During the day I met Dr. Lee, who had been in the service of the American Ambulance for a year and a half. He is quite familiar with and believes in the Carrel treatment. He said that nearly two million British soldiers had been innoculated against typhoid fever and only twenty-five had died out of this vast number during a period of eighteen months.
On Tuesday, October 24th, we encountered another very rough sea. Old ocean travelers said it was the roughest day they had ever experienced in crossing the ocean. I was loath to admit seasickness, but when I found the dining room vacant and everyone on board, including some of the crew, unable to be about, I was forced to recognize myself among the number so affected. On this day the ocean was a sight to behold. I could see the dashing waves break high, not on a rock-bound coast, but on top of the ship, inundating my cabin. The waves were at times fully fifty feet high; stanchions on deck were crushed and the passengers were ordered to their cabins.
Thursday, October 26th, found the ocean calm and the sun shining. On this date I was expected in St. Louis at the semi-annual meeting of the American Iron & Steel Institute, and was booked for an address. All I could do was to send a Marconigram: "Gary, American Steel Institute, St. Louis: Absence regretted. Kind wishes for all members."
Friday, October 27th, was a bright, clear morning and the boat was making good time, with prospects of landing early Sunday morning. With the aid of Mr. Roche I completed the translation of the Le Creusot welfare book.
I had the pleasure of meeting on the boat Mr. H. P. Davison, a member of the firm of J. P. Morgan & Co. He is a plain-spoken gentleman with a strong personality. He is one of the leading partners in the firm of J. P. Morgan & Co. and talks and thinks in millions.
On the boat I talked with an Englishman who saw the last Zeppelin come down near London. He said the English aviators have solved the problem of destroying Zeppelins. The Zeppelin contains a large amount of liquid explosives and firing with incendiary bombs it takes but a few minutes to destroy the huge air vessel.
We reached the dock in New York on Saturday evening and remained on board over night. Early Sunday morning the quarantine officer appeared. The good old Philadelphia docked at 9 A.M. and after the inspection of baggage, which was more rigid than usual, the journey was over. We were met on the boat by numerous reporters. I gave an interview of which the following is a copy:—
ALLIES WILL WIN WAR, SAYS MR. BUTLER
"Kitchener Right Predicting Three-Year Conflict."
That the Entente Allies, by the greatness and efficiency of their military preparations and by their wonderful financial strength, will push the European war to a complete victory regardless of the cost in life and treasure, is the opinion expressed by Joseph G. Butler, President of the American Pig Iron Association, on his arrival here today on board the steamship Philadelphia' of the American line, from Liverpool.
Mr. Butler was a member of the American Industrial Commission which went abroad late in August to study economic conditions in France, and hence had excellent opportunities to see the great military preparations being made by France. He was one out of the twelve members of the commission who returned today by the Philadelphia.
A Vast Military Camp
"All France is a vast military camp," he said, "and her people from the President down are deadly in earnest and determined to continue their victories regardless of the cost in life and treasure. England is fully as much in earnest as France and has buckled down to the task of winning the fight for civilization, as Mr. Lloyd George phrased it in an interview I had with him in Paris.
"I firmly believe that the Allies will win. I feel certain that the Kaiser and the Prussian military authorities realize that they have lost and are casting about for some means of bringing the war to a close, hoping that better terms can be obtained now than later on. The German people must sooner or later learn the real condition of affairs, and then I believe they will make themselves heard in no uncertain manner.
Will Never Let Up
"The battle of the Marne settled the controversy in favor of France and her allies," he continued. "Earl Kitchener predicted a three-year war, and I believe he did not underestimate it.
"The Allies will never let up until they have won a complete and final victory.
"I am more convinced of this now than I have been on the ground and learned first hand not only of their complete equipment of men and munitions, but also of their wonderful financial strength. We in America know altogether too little of the astonishing richness of both England and France, and the sooner we wake up to our opportunities and encourage in every way the increasing of our trade with them the better off we will be."
I reached home early Monday morning glad to be again in my native town. Before landing I had written an account of the French steel industry in war-time and had obtained permission from Mr. Nichols, as Chairman, to make an advance publication of this document in the Iron Age and the Iron Trade Review. I had in mind that something of this kind would be expected by my fellow steel manufacturers, and if we waited until the full report of the Commission was made, the information would be stale. This article appeared in many of the trade journals and is republished in the chapter following.