Evening star., 1914-08-02
j. s. ASKED TO ACT
FOR FOUR POWERS
DURING WARFARE

Continued from First Pase)
initiative. In their dispatches to the
State Department, they made variou.
suggestions.
Told to Promote Peace,
The 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, wheY-
ever 1t was possible. in an informal way,
The United States government BY act
ing as the sole channel OF communication
between the powerr. 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 q general conflict can be avoed.
ed. Some OF the oficial dispatches suG-
gested that the military measures be-
ing taken by some Of the powers were
tive Of an intention actually to engage
in hostilities.
Bryan Bushes Messenger
The gravity OF the situation was ad-
mitted in all the kilograms. News that
Germany had declared war on Russia
came unoficially while President Wilson
and Secretary Bryan were In conference
in the executive Offices. 6oon 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 b
issued by the United States until the sit
uation develops more clearly. 1t was
pointed out that there was no urgent
need for the proclamation, as 1t was
generally understood that the United
States would remain neutral. The Presi-
dent Will wait until a general proclama-
ton can be issued covering all countries
involved.
nounced that postmasters have been noti-
Ned not to sell International postal money
orders for unusually large gums because
OF the fear that the money order system
In foreign exchange.
Sees Financial safety.
Secretary McAdoo said yesterday that
Intelligent cooperation on the part Of
the government and the banks" IL all
that fs 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.
Of clearing house associations here Nom
day and held q long conference with
Francis I. Hine, president Of the First
National Bank Of New York. and William
tional Bank. both Of whom are members
OF the executive committee of the Nation
I a Currency Asseaattcn 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-vreeland act az, amended by the
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 $500. 100000 which It
retary said had not been made known
to him.
The Secretary spoke in optimistic tone
Of the general situation. saying he had
no fear OF the outcome. and that there
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. A. was sx-
planned when the bin passed the Senate
Friday. II amends those provisions o.
the law which prevents this emergenc,
currency from being placed with banks
which do not have q certain amount OF
bonds.
The bill Win be taken mp on the noor
OF the House without having been re-
ported from the banking and currenc,
committee. It was impossible to gather
quorum Of the committee yesterday. 4
statement on the subject by Representa-
tive Glass. chairman Of the committee.
said:
Two attempts were made to hold d
meeting OF the banking and currency
committee Of the House for the purpose
OF congfdering the Senate amendment
to the federal reserve act
Quorum Fails to Respond.
"A quorum Of the members failed to
respond. and 1t 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 10 in a
better position than ever In the entire
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 OK the
federal reserve system. When that shall
have been accomplished there Will be no
possibility Of disaster Of any kind"
Serious embarrassment threatens tn.
department in the interruption OF the
ordinary methods OF exchange. from
which has arisen the problem how TO sur
ply the American embassies. legation
and consulates in Europe with the moner
necessary for their maintenance. Thr
magnitude OF the task has been increased
vastly by the calls upon the American
consulates 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 OH.
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 II 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 desirous 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-
tioua the conxulg will certainly look Af.