The Washington times., 1914-08-04
WILL ASK S2,5OO,0OO
TO AID AMERICANS

Inc united states government ar
rived at definite plans for relieving
distress Of Americans msrooned
abrosd today. Announcement was
made by, the White Mouse that Con-
gress will be asked to appropriate
$1,000. 900. to be disbursed by Govern
ment agents abroad among American
refugees
Tho Navy Department this afternoon
ordered the United States armored
cruiser Tennessee to leave New York
tomorrow night carrying between s.
ooo, 600 and 5000. 900 for relief Of Ameri-
cans In the war zone. The money in
cludes State Department funds and
money advanced by New York bankers
and express companies.
The Tennessee was selected because of
Its speed. Secretary Daniels announced
that no one but the regular officers
manning the navy vessel will be per-
mitted to go aboard her. No accom-
or photographers.
What ports she will make depends
upon the attitude Of foreign govern
menta Assistant Secretary of the Navy
to practically ask the foreign govern
ments at what ports the ship could
dock"
Other ships will probably be ordered
abroad following the Tennessee.
Adolf F. Miller, Federal Reserve
Board member. and chairman of tho
relief committee appointed today. Is to
make the necessary transportation ar
rangements to bring stranded American
tourists home.
Congress will be asked to empower
Secretary McAdoo to appoint fiscal
agents in Europe to supervise disburse-
ments Of the $500, 900 fund for the re-
lief OF Americans who have letters of
credit or checks, but cannot get them
cashed, and those with no funds.
Emergency Bill Signed.
President Wilson today signed the
emergency appropriation bill providing
$3.50 900 for the immediate use of strand
ed Americans.
Without waiting for the bill to be
signed. however, Secretary Bryan had
ordered the division of the funds among
various American consulates. All diplo-
matte and consular representatives were
cabled overnight to get in touch i'm
mediately with all Americans in their
vicinity and to notify the State Depart
ment wherever they can be of aid
The plan for bringing Americans
home and providing them with money
for their immediate wants was decided
on at a conference which lasted until
nearly midnight between Secretary
Bryan, Secretary McAdoo, Counselor
Lansing. OF the State Department; BEN
tamin F. Strong, Of the Bankers Trust
Company OF New York, and Attorney
Patterson, OF the American Trust Com
pany.
After decision was reached to place
Adolf Miller in charge of the plan, 1t
was announced that Mr.. Miller will ut
once get in touch with steamship COM
transportation for the Americans.
American coastwise vessels may be
pressed into service and be sent to Eng
lish. French. and German ports for the
refugees.
W. W. Jeffries, general traffic man
ager of the International Mercantile
Marine; E. H. Duff. Washington attor-
ney for the company. and r. N. Hicks.
the Washington agent, spent half an
hour in conference with Secretary
Bryan discussing means Of transporta-
ton, No decision was vas reached ssIrsao, an
nounced that the War Department
stands ready to make Immediate use
of all OF its transports for relief work.
There are twelve of these transports
at Galveston and nine others which
were chartered by the Covenant for
use during the Mexican war. There
are twenty-one army officers in Eu-
rope, and It Is planned to send one
officer to each important seaport in
Europe TO direct the embarkation Of
Final details OF the relief work. fol-
lowing out the Governments plan, were
arranged at a conference between Sec
rotary of War Garrison, Assistant Sec
rotary Of the Navy Roosevelt. Counsel
lor Lansing, and Adolf Miller. Com
pleted plans will be announced later In
the day.
Money continued to pour into the
State Department from relativek and
friends of Americans in Europe to be
cabled abroad and exchanged for State
Department orders. A total of $4,000
has been deposited for this purpose.
Several bankers in New Jersey and
New York cities telegraphed the State
Department asking whether they could
send money abroad. The department
advised them to permit all funds to go
through the department until other
methods are devised.
All energies are being concentrated
now in completing the plan for the
charterinR of gold ship to supply
tourists with cash and for obtaining
boats to bring them home. This Is
considered the gravest problem the war
has brought this nation.
Full membership of the relief board
appointed to look after the interests Of
Americans is:
A. c. Miller, chairman. member Of the
Federal Reserve Board; Adrian n.
Boole, of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission; Franklin Roosevelt, Assistant
Secretary of the Navy; Assistant Sec
rotary of War Breckenridge. Captain
Bristol of the Navy Department; Cen
eral Aleshire, of the War Department;
Third Assistant Secretary of State
Phillips T. p Bicknell, of the Ameri-