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Don Martin going to Europe? August-October 1917

     For Don Martin, there was a start-stop story of leaving for Europe that was nerve-racking and seemingly never-ending. He wrote a lot about it in his 1917 Diary, with the first mention on August 26, 1917, at the time he was getting engaged in overseeing the Herald’s electoral poll for the 1917 mayoralty race in New York City. By mid-October it seemed pretty certain that he would go to Europe after the November election.
Don Martin diary entries
Sunday, August 26, 1917: Took 4:51 train from Albany to N.Y. On way in office met Ohl, Editor-in-Chief, who wanted to know if I would consent to go to London as chief correspondent there. Told him I would if the office would take care of all my financial obligations and gives me enough to live well on in London. Ohl said he would cable Bennett in Paris. I doubt if the old man will be willing to give me enough to make the place possible. I should be glad to go.
Thursday. August 30, 1917: Guess nothing will come of the London offer. Saw Ohl at dinner and he didn’t mention it. I didn’t either. Not so anxious to be separated from [my daughter] Dorothy. Furthermore Herald probably wouldn’t pay what I demand. 
Sunday, September 2, 1917: Week has passed and I have heard nothing about the London offer. Guess nothing will come of it. Don’t suppose Bennett wants to spend as much as I insist on having.
Sunday, October 7, 1917: Ohl got cable from Bennett asking when I could go to London. They want me to go but the office wants me here until after the [November] election. I just [as] soon go to London if the office will send $40 to $50 a week home and give me enough to live on in addition. I can’t save anything anyhow so maybe this would be a good arrangement. 
Tuesday, October 9. 1917: Ohl said Bennett cabled for me to stay here till after election. From this the office infers I am to go to London right after election. I am willing. Hate to be separated in that way from Dorothy. However, I probably won’t be away a great while, if, in fact, at all.
Daley says he doesn’t like the London business because he wants me here. However, he says, if Bennett will send me to the front, it will be worthwhile for me and Herald both.
And here I am! With a possible chance to be a war correspondent and have an experience as a newspaperman abroad! Once, such a thing would have caused great excitement in me but now not much. I haven’t lost my romantic interest but I don’t exactly care so much about going so far away from Dorothy.

Sunday, October 14, 1917:  Had quite a talk with George Cooper. He says Commodore Bennett has his mind made up for me to go to Europe, but that he wants me to finish up the Mayoralty campaign. However I shan’t say anything about it till I get definitive word. Don’t imagine Dorothy will like it but she is a philosopher. I won’t go unless I can spend a week or so with her first.

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