Evening star., 1914-08-12
TO CHARTER
SHIPS IN EUROPE
Authority Conferred on U. S.
Embassies for Benefit of
Stranded Tourists.
MEANS OF EXPEDITING
AID IN TRANSPORTATION
German Embassy Official inquiries of
Berlin Regarding Mr.. and Mrs.
A. NJ. Huntington.

American embassies and legations
throughout Europe were given authority
today to charter ships in which to bring
home stranded Americans. Instructions
to this effect were sent out by Secre-
tary Garrison for the federal relief COM
mittee, which is composed of the Sec
retaries of State, War. Navy and Treas
ury.
Each embassy and legation was di-
rected to make inquiry as to the ships
available and in the event Americans
could be concentrated at open ports i'm
mediately to charter neutral ships.
The diplomatic officers were told not
to pay higher rates than those usually
charged by the liners for a similar serv-
ice. because it was feared prices might
be suddenly raised in view of the pre-
dicament of the refugees. The govern
ment's contracts with the ship owners
will cease upon the discharge of Amert-
can passengers in home ports.
All thought Of sending vessels over
from the United States to bring back
the Americans has been abandoned. 1t
was pointed out that this would
result in great delay. as 1t is not now
known where the refugees will be con-
centrated. 1t is felt that the service
intended may be greatly expedited by
the charter Of neutral vessels wherever
they are available.
Preference to Those of Small Means.
Little is definitely known as to the
number of Americans desrous Of return
ing home Immediately. Secretary Garri-
son said the diplomatic officers had been
instructed to give the preference to such
tourists of small means who would be
Immediately embarrassed financially
should their return be delayed.
He explained that he expects to en-
counter no difficulty in transporting the
refugees to the seaports. He feels that
within few days the ordinary means of
land transportation will be open.
The cable lines from Germany again
are silent. but the latest dispatches indi-
Gated that no obstacles were to be placed
in the way Of Americans desiring to
leave, but that all of the transportation
facilities were being used for military
purposes. With the troops modified,
officials expect that ordinary traffic will
be resumed and that Americans in Ger
many will have little difficulty in max
ing their way to Rotterdam to embark
on such vessels as the officials may
charter.
English "Alien" Regulation.
The British embassy at the request of
the State Department today cabied the
London foreign office for the facts as
to aliens landing in England. Its ac-
ton was on a report that Great Britain
was enforcing such strict immigration
ed any alien from stepping on English
shores. The State Department feared
that stranded Americans might not be
able to return to England to take pas
sage for this country.
As no response has been received to
State Department inquiries concerning
Mr.. and Mrs. Archer NJ. Huntington Of
New York. reported under arrest at
Nuremburg. Bavaria, Charge Hahn
hausen of the German embassy today un-
dertook to send message to Berlin in
their behalf.
Consular reports from Antwerp say
that Americans on board the steamers
Finland and Marquette have left that city
also contained the sentence Antwerp
port closed Germany" 1t is not known
whether this meant Antwerp was closed
to or by the Germans.
Notice has reached the State Depart
ment that number of Americans in
Egypt are without money and want trans
portation-
Up to today nearly million dollars
had been deposited with the government
by Americans for relief of friends or
an had 5000 deposited to her credit at
the st Louis subtreasury.
Reports that Great Britain has forbid
den the landing of all foreigners on her
Ambassador Page instructions to inves-
tgate and, II he finds the reports true,
TO lodge an urgent protest with the
British foreign office
Such prohibition would seriously COM
plicate the plans Of the Washington gov
ernment for the relief Of Americans
stranded abroad on account of the Eu-
ropean war. Thousands of tourists who
have been scattered over the continent
are now making their way to England,
Not Aimed at Neutrals.
It was suggested that any order issued
ity would not be enforced against neu-
trail foreigners desiring to land tempo
rarily to await the sailing Of a vessel for
their own country.
Dispatches from consular representa-
tives at Christiania, Norway and Havre,
France, said 1t was understood at those
places that Great Britain was excIud-
ing all non-British subjects regardless
of their nationality.
Ambassador Page. emphasized the opin-
ion that nationals OF friendly powers
should not be denied permission to land
In England. particularly at this time
Cherbourg. France. probably will be
the first port touched by the American
treasure cruisers now steaming across
the Atlantic to the relief OF stranded
Americans in Europe. 1t was learned
that the State Department had arranged
with the French government to have the
Tennessee or the North Carolina enter
the haroor at Cherbourg after giving
notice of her approach by wireless.
No itinerary of the cruisers has been
announced. but 1t is understood that
one VIII go to Cherbourg. London, and
other ports before proceeding near the
North sea ports. while the other sfeams
directly into the Mediterranean