Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-02
j. s. ASKED TO ACT
FOR FOUR POWERS
DURING WARFARE

Continued from First Page.)
initiative In their dispatches to the
State Department. they made various
suggestions.
Told to Promote Peace.
Tho Washington government. however.
in particular instructed all Its diplomatic
representatives abroad to do everything
In their power with propriety to avert
the conflict The instructions were TO
counsel for peace and calmness. wher-
ever it was possible. in an Informal way.
The United States government, by act
ing as the sole channel OF communication
between the powers. may find an oppor-
tunity TO assist in the settlement of the
conflict by means OF diplomacy
President Wilson has not entirely lost
hope that general conflict can be avoid
ed. Some OF the official dispatches sue-
gested that the military measures be
ing taken by some OF the powers Were
precautionary and not definitely indica-
tive Of an intention actually TO engage
In hostilities.
Bryan Rushes Messages
The gravity Of the situation was ad-
mitted in all the kilograms. News that
Germany had declared war on Russia
came unofficially while President Wilson
and Secretary Bryan were in conference
In the executive offices. Soon afterward
Mr. Bryan hurried back to the State De
partment and sent several long cable
grams abroad. the nature OF which was
not disclosed.
No proclamation Of neutrality will he
Issued by the United States until the sit
uation develops more clearly. 1t was
I'D
need for the proclamation. as 1t was
generally understood that the United
states would remain neutral. The Presi-
dent Will walt until a general proclama-
involved
Postmaster General Burleson an
nounced that postmasters have been noti-
ned not to sell International postal money
orders for unusually large sums because
OF the fear that the money order system
might be used for speculative purposes
In foreign exchange.
Sees Financial Safety.
Secretary McAdoo said yesterday that
intelligent cooperation on the part OF
the government and the banks" Is all
that is needed to guide the financial in
terests Of the country safely through the
situation created by the European crisis.
The Secretary said he felt sure this
Intelligent cooperation would be given.
This was after he had called a meeting
OF clearing house associations here Mon
day and held a long conference with
Francis L. Hine, president of the First
National Bank of New York. and William
Woodward. president of the Hanover Ma
tional Bank. both of whom are members
OF the executive committee of the Nation
al Currency Association OF New York.
The purpose, of their visit to him. the
Secretary said, was to have explained
fully the procedure to be followed to Sc
cure issues Of currency under the Aid
rich-Freeland act as amended by the
federal reserve act. The Secretary cx-
planned this matter to them in detail
Whether any Of the banks in the New
York association would call on the Treas
ury for any of the $5oOOo0.O00 which II
rotary said had not been made known
to him.
The Secretary spoke in optimistic tone
OF the general situation. saying he had
was no cause for apprehension.
House Acts Tomorrow.
The emergency currency measure will
be passed by unanimous consent in the
House tomorrow II possible. House Lead
ers yesterday were quite sure there
would be no attempt to block the meas
ure by technical means. AS was ex-
planned when the bill passed the Senate
Friday, it amends those provisions of
the law which prevents this emergency
currency from being placed with banks
which do not have a certain amount OF
bonds.
The bill will be taken up on the floor
of the House without having been re-
ported from the banking and currency
committee 1t was impossible to gather
quorum Of the committee yesterday. A
statement on the subject by Representa-
Atrr4 -h-s
said:
Two attempts were made to hold a
meeting of the banking and currency
committee OF the House for the purpose
of considering the Senate amendment
to the federal reserve act
Quorum Fails to Respond.
"A quorum of the members failed to
respond. and it is doubtful II a quorum
of the members is here. In view OF this
fact, there seems nothing to do but to
dispnse with committee action and to
ask the House directly to consider the
Senate bill.
while the public Treasury Is il a
better position than ever in the emit
history of the country. and the banks
are better fortified than ever for an
emergency. every legislative precaution
should be taken to avert trouble, pend
ing the complete organization OF the
federal reserve system. When that shall
have been accomplished there will be no
possibility of disaster of any kind"
Serious embarrassment threatens the
department in the interruption OF the
ordinary methods of exchange. from
which has arisen the problem how to SUP
ply the American embassies, legations
and consulates in Europe with the money
necessary for their maintenance Tho
magnitude of the task has been Increased
vastly by the calls upon the American
consuiates which are sure TO be made for
assistance by the many Americans who
are stranded In Europe with their usual
means of credit completely cut off
Take Counsel With Bankers.
The officials are taking counsel with
the bankers who usually serve the de-
partment IN normal times and II other
means fail It may be found necessary
to dispatch stores OF specie on United
States vessels to the European ports best
located for transmitting the money TO
American officials in Europe.
Many applications were received at the
State Department yesterday from per
sons in the United States DESTROYS Of
having American consuls investigate and
report upon the safety OF their friends
and relatives in Europe. The State De-
partment is returning the uniform an
swer that under their general instruc-
tons the consuls will certainly look at
ter and report the case of any Americans
t.. 4Iasr tive Il fZtE tnfS