Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-08-03
STATE DEPARTMENT ARRANGES
ASSIST THOSE NARROWED
IN EUROPE.
HEmRAssY CHECKS" AS
LOANS TO TRAVELLERS
Secretary Bryan Expresses Opinion
Every One Desiring to Leave Will Be
Able to Secure Passage on Some Yes
sel-Government Will Aid in Arrans-
ing Bookings.

Washington, Aug. 3-The United
States government sunday extended a
helping hand TO the thousands OF
Americans who are stranded abroad
without means of cashing their checks
or letters OF credit owing to the hnan-
cial stringency produced by the Euro
pean war.
Besides forwarding hundreds OF tele-
grams TO Americans thru diplomatic
channels, orders were sent by the state
department. 10 all consulates, legations,
and embassies to use every influence
at their disposal 10 obtain money for
citizens OF the United states.
Will Give Embassy Checks"
All American diplomatic officers
were Instructed to exchange letters q
credit or trave lerr' checks for embassy
checks" or certificates. These are is
sued by authority Of the United States
government, and Secretary Bryan said
tonight ne was confident embassy
checks would be honored by railroads,
steamship companies and hotels
abroad.
Relatives and friends OF Americans
in Europe can deposit funds with the
state department in Washington, and
an equivalent sum viii be advanced in
an embassy check abroad. Americans
devoid OF funds will be given loans, just
as vas the case IN Mexico and an ezr1er-
gency appropriation viii be asked TO
care for any deficiencies in this con-
nsction.
Will Get Americans Homo.
Secretary Bryan expressed the view
that there were enough ships running
10 care for Americans who desired to
leave. but said II any emergency arose
everything necessary would De done by
the American government 10 assist
them TO return home.
President Wilson gave his personal
attention 10 the problem OF aiding citi-
gems OF the United States. While the
state department was asking It's repre-
sentatives abroad 20 determine the most
practicable way OF giving financial as
sistance. tho administration let It be
known that, Il necessary large quaint
ties of gold would be shipped % Amer
lean EN- hassies to cash checks for
Americans.
II Is not expected, however that
such a contingency will arise. Mr..
Bryan suggested that IL American en-
bassies ran short OF funds with which
TO cash travellers checks or letters of
credit the American government would
have no difficulty in getting currency
direct from the foreign governments.
Try to Arrange Passage.
The government has undertaken To-
persuade big steamship companies 10
have their agents in the United states
accept checks or money for pa,ssag &c
Of Americans from friends here or 20
have them honor embassy checks
European points.
Americans living abroad permanent
~ who are paid by monthly remittance
from firms or corporations IN the
United States, may be able 70 get
money direct from the American con-
sulates. as arrangements are under way
to have American companies pay their
European employees thru the state de-
partment.
State department adv1ces showed
that thousands O. the Americans il
Europe had Aocked TO England. Tele-
Grams by the score poured in on the
department from relatives and friends
turnout the United States, i1qui-ins
tor Americans in Europe. Such tele-
grams we're forwarded 10 the European
EN- bassie and consulates.
Money For Food, Problem.
The most immediate concern of many
Of the Americans il Europe is 10 OBJ
tain funds for sustenance. Although
there are enou gh steamships now run
ming 70 care tor those who desire TO
leave, officials realize that as the war
becomes more complicated transpoTta-
ton facilities vii diminish
1nasmuch az the Washington govern
nent chartered steamships TO take
American refugees from Mexico, there
~ Inn n
such purpose will be asked from con-
gress.
Many o. the Americans abroad are
school teachers, and anxious to get
back before the end Of this month for
the opening Of the schools in Septem-
Der. Tourists who carried just suffi-
cient funds for their trip find them
selves in embarrassment because CT
the delay in steamehip sailings and
the expense Of a prolonged stay at
hotels.
Give Relief in Paris
Paris. Aug. 3-There has been formed
in Paris committee of influential
Americans who either reside in France
or who are temporarily in the country,
the purpose of which is to take every
possible care of their countryrnen who
find themselves in France and in need
of assistance
Ambassador Herrick is taking an
active part In this work The first
meeting of the committee was held at
his residence. There were present.
among others, f. H. Gary, for Coudert
Brothers.: Consul General Thackara.
and Spencer F. Eddy.
viii Help Cash Checks.
Every American who needs advice Or
aid will be accommodated, and IL is
probable that travellers who are cut OFF
from home supplies will be helped in
cashing their checks. Mr.. Herrick has
arranged that his residence be placed
1T the disposal Of Americans in Paris
The embassy and the office of the
consul general remained open all day
yesterday. Volunteers are helping the
overworked embassy and consular STATS
in their endeavors to confer with and
assist Americans.