_Wednesday, August 12th._ I have witnessed so much suffering during the last week that to see people weep now no longer produces any emotional effect upon me. One's sympathies get numbed by the over-strain put upon them; the more keenly one feels, the more numb one ultimately becomes. Today during the long day about five hundred Austrians and Hungarians poured in upon the Embassy. I examined one hundred and sixty-four cases between two o'clock and half-past four, and gave monetary assistance to one hundred and twenty-one. * * * * * _Friday, August 14th._ During the past week six ten-dollar gold pieces which have been sent me in letters arrived safely. Snugly held in their pasteboard frames, they could not be detected by feeling the letters. When the first one arrived I had spent virtually all the money which I had on hand at the beginning of the war, and this good American gold will tide me over until drafts can be sent through to Paris. In New York in peace time sixty dollars seems a small amount, but in France in war three hundred francs in gold looks a small fortune. At least, it insures plenty of good food. * * * * * _Sunday, August 16th._ Until today I have had at the Embassy no definite status. I have laughingly been dubbed the "German Ambassador." Everyone has been much too busy to give thought to anything so personal as position or titles. This morning, however, time was found to send my name to the Minister of Foreign Affairs as "Attaché Civil à l'Ambassade Américaine," and to request the customary "coup fil." * * * * * _Monday, August 17th._ I have at last received money from America. It came through Morgan, Harjes & Company. This firm has been the salvation of our countrymen in Paris. They announced that "until further notice" they would cash all American paper. They even take personal checks on American banks. The "further notice," fortunately, shows no signs of appearing. * * * * * _Thursday, August 20th._ The statue of Strasbourg on the Place de la Concorde has been constantly hung with mourning wreaths and crêpe ever since the capture and annexation of the city of Strasbourg by the Germans forty-four years ago. Now it is piled with gay flowers and bedecked with streamers and the arms of the lady are filled with flags, conspicuous among which are those of Great Britain and Russia. * * * * * _Friday, August 21st._ Nearly all the Germans, Hungarians, and Austrians have by this time been interned in the detention camps; all ages and both sexes have been shipped away to a fate of which we as yet have no knowledge.