The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-09-11
heral Relief Board Explains in
Detail Problems Thrust
Upon II
n DUTY OF GOVT,
pT ACTION OF HUMANITY
pit Machinery Set in Motion to
kocate American Travellers
and Provide for Them

&c task Of providing relief and
ns OF returning home for thou
ls OF Its citizens marooned In the
Ppean war zones was outlined to-
{ In q formal statement to the
&c Issued by the federal re-
board. Summing up the situation
nearly three weeks of work, In.
Ing the use Of millions of dollars.
fecedented activities by diplomat
nd consular agents abroad and the
htch OF two gold-laden cruisers
ss the Atlantic, the board said:
he situation Is so greatly relieved
he present time that Americans
Fhere upon the continent can, by
Hing to the nearest embassy or
zion, get In touch with people In
country, can get money II they
any and can get transportation
passage home II they want It."
Relief Boards Report.
ithout the slightest warning this
TRY was confronted with a situa-
which was without precedent, was
rely unique and for which 1t neith-
lad nor could have had any pre-
hged machinery. From the time
he declaration Of war by Austria,
fh was followed some few days az
lard by numerous other similar
hrations, every accustomed meth.
$f business was utterly dislocated.
ncial agencies, transportation sys-
on land and sea, and cable and
flor lines OF communication In
Ppe were all thrown into utter con-
IN.
though no record is kept OF the av-
y annual tourists from America
Europe, we were informed initially
there were about 100000 such.
y we're scattered over the whole
inent OF Europe and in the Brit.
islands. Cables to some of the
tries were rendered useless. The
ting cables were SO overburden.
that messages were delayed for
long periods OF time.
reason OF the mobilization going
ard In practically every European
try where Americans were trav-
all the customary and normal
OF life were disarranged. Inter
pnal credits at first entirely ceas-
II was thought at that time that
the actual physical gold at any
involved in the war area would
Useful to Americans and for a
all bankers and express compar-
who ordinarily pay travellers
ks, Aceased doing so.
goes without saying. OF course.
the government was not charged
law with responsibility with re-
to the financial condition and
bportation facilities available to
titizens who were touring the
tries In question. However. II
never suggested that this should
i the attitude Of the government
e matter. No red tape or circum-
ion or suggested freedom from
responsibility on behalf of the
rnment was allowed to stand in
way for moment. Congress i'm
lately appropriated $2,750,000 for
relief, protection and transporta-
Of the Americans who we're ma.
ed abroad. The president imme-
bly, turned over to the departments
(h could most readily handle the
tion the execution of the details.
be departments were the state,
bury, war and navy.
)r every American thus marooned
b were numerous persons In this
TRY interested In hfs whereabouts
welfare. The departments were
ally swamped with inquiries. Ma
ery had to be devised In each Of
departments involved to handle
unique situation confided to its
hgement.
was realized that the first and
important thing was to place, at
disposal of the Americans In Eu-
the necessary money with which
bpport themselves until they could
In transportation home.
be next most important thing was
ret information concerning the
Feabouts of Americans and their
Is. This, Il will be readily per-
ed, was no slight undertaking.
ceiling Americans do not, as a rule,
Y passports, and are not there
registered.
he next most important thing was
Secure the opportunity for their
rn to this country. Initially II was
bosed that this would have to be
wholly by transportation sent
b this country. At that time the
man liners had stopped. the French
10 were not sailing and all Of the
Ter ships customarily sailing be-
en this country and English ports
suspended their sailings.
here were only six ships all told
led by an American company and
ing under the American flag In
satlantic service.
he only other passenger ships un-
the American flag capable OF trans
ing passengers across the Atlantic
, ships then engaged In the coast
trade. These were small In size,
Dst wholly devoted to carrying
Foes and with passenger accom-.
|ations Of the most meager descrip.
This was the only source from
oh the government had to draw.
b soon as II was possible to do 90
ships OF the navy were made ready
nil for the other side. Army OF.
~ to the number of 25 or more
He'd by the assistant secretary OF
were detailed to go upon THESE
sels, 90 that they might personally
their aid wherever necessary
IN they reached the other side.
p arrangement was made with the
kers OF this country whose clients
, travelling In Europe. with LET.
of credit from them to be cashed
heir agencies IN Europe. to trans;
some. $4,000 900 In gold to be
bed with their foreign correspond.
TO meet the drafts aforesaid
he Of this wss not only money OF
Re but OF express companies which
Issued traveller checks payable
Europe.
Slth ths same expedition was sent
-