The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1914-08-07
AMERICANS TELL
STORIES OF
Big Paris Hotels Closed, and
Banks Pay No Money.
Autos Confiscated.

"HE horrors Of war have been
brought home to thousands Of
Americans stranded in Europe.
It Is estimated that between
100000 and 100000 Americans. most of
whom are well to do, though not
wealthy, tourists are In the troubled
countries for the summer. 1t Is thought
that about $4,000 schoolteachers and
school children are in England, Scot
land, Germany and other countries.
These people are not poverty stricken.
but many are stranded because Of the
falling down Of the ordinary methods
of exchanging paper for money. Let
tiers of credit, checks and everything
else of the kind, good under ordinary
circumstances, have proved worthless
since the war scare started. Cash is
what is needed, and the problem con-
fronting the United States is how to
transfer money to those in need Of 1t.
Wild scenes were enacted in Paris
and London. The first army of refu-
gees fleeing from the French capital
to London arrived hungry and travel
worn, and penniless Americans by the
thousands made pitiful appeals for
help.
Refugees from Holland, Belgium and
France were in equally desperate
straits.
A Desperate Situation.
Most Of those who arrived from Par
is had lost all except their hand bag
gage. They told stories of hardships
en- route and painted an ominous pic
ture of the plight Of Americans left
behind.
Mrs. G. Jason Waters and her
daughter were among those who ar
rived from Paris. The latter said:
1--WE lost all our trunks, but are
thankful to get away at any cost. The
street porters charged francs for
slight service.
1T was a pitiful sight to see hun
dreds Of Americans outside the en-
bassy seeking help. Women were cry
ing, and men were frantic. They
hadn't money with which to leave
The condition of Americans who are
stranded in Paris is desperate. Some
thing must be done quickly. Food is
getting scarce"
Chaos In Paris.
Louis Ralston Of New York, who ar
rived at Charing Cross with his family,
said:
; II never wish to see such q scene
again as the fight to get aboard the
/ train from Paris. We were stopping
at the Ritz and decided to leave Paris
when we were informed that luncheon
| would be the last meal to be served
there, as practically the entire staff Of
the hotel would have to reply to the
mobilization call. The barber who
shaved me in the morning said to me.
I'll be with my regiment tomorrow
II had no money except useless 100
franc notes and did not pay for our
luncheon at the Ritz. We hurried to
the Boyd Neel bank in Al Hayman's
automobile. in which he intended to
make dash to Dieppe to get back to
England. The bankers gave Hayman
500 francs ($1OO for a EGO note, say
ing, That's the last; we're closed
No Money For Vanderbilt.
"Just then Reginald G. Vanderbilt
dashed in and cried, Give me 10000
francs $4,000. We can't give you
20 confines a cents), was the reply.
I'VE went out and found that Hay
mans automobile, which he had engag-
ed in France, had been Communicated
by the military authorities, as were all
taxicabs and auto buses a little while
later.
railway station. We had to bride por-
ters and fight our way to the platform.
The station was packed with hyster-
ical, clamoring men, women and chill
dren. had reserved first class COM
partment for my party. When we got
to it we found ten persons already
there. The corridors Of the train and
the lavatories were packed. In our
compartment was lady In waiting to
the queen Of Italy. She was crying in
fear of being shot at en- route.
Women Lie on Decks.
THE train left hundreds Of persons,
as well as our baggage. behind. The
baggage is registered. We had to
abandon It, as did scores Of others.
The channel boat was crowded. Wom-
en- lay on the decks. and men had to
stand"
An American woman, Mrs. Barnard
Lintott, arriving in London from Eta
pies, France. said:
People are leaving there and are be-
ing told 1t is their last chance. Our
plight was dramatic. We planned to
get to Boulogne In time to take the
boat to England.
Unable to Obtain Tickets.
There was CONSERVATION when We
reached the station; not ticket Of
any description could be issued. The