The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1914-08-12
PASSAGE IS
EAGERLY SOUGHT
By Stranded Americans In
Europe.
.DIGCROWOS THRONG AGENCIES
For Money Or Tickets HOmeA
Fleeing People Meet
With Trials.
AMERICANS HELP COuNTRYMEN

London. August G.-There were
more Americans in the West End of
London to-day than Englishmen.
They we're chiefly crowded about
the Offices OF American express com
panies and of the steamship lines,
trying TO get checks cashed and Sc
cure passage home.
The express companies were able
to afford much relief to those in f.
nancial straits. and the steamship
companies booked hundreds of pas
sages, although it is probable no
guarantee can. be given that British
steamers will sail until their safety
is assured by the navy.
The greatest demand. therefore,
was for berths on American liners.
Persons who usually travel in the
most luxurious cabins were eagerly
buying berths in the steerage. which
had been secured by earlier visitors
to the steamship Offices who were
Offering them for sale, but at great
ly increased prices.
The main office of the Interna-
tional Mercantile Marine was jam
med all day with Americans. and
like condition prevailed at the off
ces of the Cunard and Canadian
lines, all of which are still doing
business. The German line Offices
are dismantled and in charge OF
porters and English clerks, who
made no attempt to attract passen-
gers in the customary manner.
The express companies offices.
which opened at an early hour, were
crowded throughout the day. They
were well supplied with currency
and honored their checks up to $50.
The American Express Company
supplied the temporary wants of ov-
er 5000 persons from the time the
Office opened until 2 o'clock this af-
ternoon. when it closed for the day.
There We're still hundreds in line
desiring gold in exchange for their
checks. They were told to return
tomorrow morning. The company
hopes to continue paying out small
sums for IA couple of days more.
The Wells-Fargo Express Compak
ny, which issues checks chiefly to
Westerners, was open all day. Dur
ing the morning the cashiers were
Kept busy honOring checks. but the
rush stopped early in the afternoon.
The manager of the company said
he would be able to meet the tenn
porary requirements of holders of
drafts unless there should be anoth-
er rush from the continent of Amer
leans without money.
Individual Americans are helping
fellow countrymen by making ad-
vances of money to enable them to
tide over their temporary inconve-
niences. Herbert C. Hoover, a Cali
fornian. opened an Office to-day in
the American Consulate and advanc-
ed amounts of s2j and upward TO
persons unable to get money by 9TH
er means. Altogether Mr.. Hoover
gave assistance to 800 Americans.
Many Americans tell pitiful tales
OF trials on their flight from the
continent. Those from Paris and
nearer points had bad enough
time, but those who had to come
from Germany or places even more
remote were forced to go several
days without sleep. and. in some in
stances without food.
One self-reliant woman related
now she and her daughter, with
only sovereign (about SD be-
-ween them, made their way to Eng
and from Prussia. They Travelled
by train and steamer. and finally
reached here, tired and exhausted.
The committee of Americans an.
'ointed vest, rday to deal with the
'risis to-day made representations
% Ambas sador Page, who cabledH
secretary of State Bryan. request
ng that adequate transports be sent
iere TO take away stranded Ameri-
,ans.
tourists say that the enthusiasm y
or war In Germany IL mast halios