MR ROBERT BELL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20799, 19 August 1929, Page 3

MR ROBERT BELL.

A CONTINENTAL TOUR. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, July 12. Mr Robert 8011, of Christchurch, president of the Press Congress of the World, has returned from a three weeks’ tour in France. Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium. While in France he visited the Somme battlefields area—■ Lille, Armenticres, Anas, Albert, Bapaumc, Grcvillers, Dclvillc Wood, Vimy Ridge, and other places. The cemeteries,” said Me Bell, arc beautifully laid out and ablaze with flowers—a silent, yet eloquent, tribute to the work of the War Graves Commissioners. All the white marble headstones —crosses —are of the same size; there is no distinction between officer and private, between the known and unknown occupant of the grave. A human life, whatever may have been the rank or title, has been treated ag such and as such only. And all around those numerous Gods acres waves the ripening grain, interspersed with red poppies, emblematic of tile blood shed by millions of men. yimy Ridge, lias been allowed to remain in the condition the war left it—a silent memorial to the gallant Canadians who so valiantly took it—held fi—and lost it, and retook it.” Mr Bell also went to see one of the Big Berthas, cast at Krupps in 1914, and captured by the Australians in August, 1918. "It is an enormous, skilfully constructed weapon of destruction.” said Mr Bell, “and it is understood that the first shot fired from it was the cause of 30 deaths, by concussion, of its German crow. Anyone desirous of visiting the Somme area would do well to take advantage of the services of Captain Cockerel, of Albert, otherwise their quest is likely to be in vain.” After visiting the Somme area Mr Bell went to Paris, then on to Switzerland—a country which specialises in the tourist trade. Afterwards he followed the course of the Rhine, on the German side to Heidelberg, Frankfurt-ou-Maius, and from there to Berlin, where he stayed a few days. Everywhere Mr Bell went in Germany he found a desire to help. English is spoken by a fair percentage of the people, and all seem pleased to see Britishers and to make their stay in Germany pleasant. From Berlin he came west to Cologne and there visited one of the most beautiful of the many beautiful churches lie bas seen in different parts of the world. From Cologne he passed through Belgium and on to Dover and London, The principal impression left on Mr Bell’s mind after visiting this part of the Continent of Europe is that all the people—men and women—are hard at work in both field and factory, and. consequently, prosperity must surely follow their efforts.