Omaha daily bee., 1914-08-03

bassador. and Irwin h. Laughlin, sccre-
tsry Of the embassy, have gone to the
country for the weekend and cannot be
reached by telephone tonight, although
several important communications are
awaiting them here.
WASHINGTON, Aug. l-Active meas
ures for the relief OF many thousands Of
Americans in distress in Europe for lack
OF money or means TO return home have
been begun by President Wilson and Sec
rotary Bryan.
The president and Secretary Bryan con-
ferred tonight on getting money to oit-
zens abroad.
The administration has under considers
ton sending army and navy transports to
carry American refugees and a sl.ecial
request to congress for an Appropriation
is expected.
Mr. Bryan discussed several plans, but
will not make final decision until tomor-
row, when they will confer again and get
the opinion Of the bankers who usually
serve the State department abroad in
normal times
| II necessary the Washington govern
ment proposes TO send American vessels
abroad with gold for the relief of Amer
leans, Immediately after the conference
with the president Mr.. Bryan cabled all
consulates, legations and embassies to
spare no pains in caring for Americans
who remained In the war zones and CIV
ing every facility 10 those who wished
to leave.
Thousands Seek Aid.
| State department officials admitted that
the most serious problem confronting
them was the plight OF Americans abroad
| They estimated that at least 100000 and
| perhaps as many as 10000, are scattered
throughout Europe. The disorga MIA tor
of European exchanges has made II prac.
| tically impossible to cash checks or let
ters OF credit. American consulates, lega
tlons and embassies arc devoid OF fund.-
for the emergency which has suddenl,
confronted them. They are being be
sieged on all sides with requests for finan
clal assistance
With the cancellation by several steam.
ship lines of their sailings many Amerl.
cans find themselves unable to get pas.
sage on the overcrowded boats of Ameri.
can register. American warships would
be OF little use as they have hardly any
capacity for passengers. Naval Officers
have suggested that the government coulC
charter Immediately some OF the bis
ocean liners of foreign register TO brins
Americans home.
May Charter ships.
BY special arrangement, officials believ,
the American government could obtaII
the use Of foreign ships securing ex
emption from seizure if used only FOL
transportation OF Americans. The ONLY
American warships in European waters
are the little gunboat Scorpion, statioI
chip at Constantinople, and the battle
ship Maine at Villafranche with An
napolis midshipmen and the officers anC
crew, OF the battleship Idaho taken ove
at that port by the Greek government
The Maine will leave Villafranche Tues
day for Annapolis
a special appropriation will be require,
to charter steamships TO bring HON,
Americans. Congress always has acte,
promptly in such emergencies and is ex
pected to do 20 again.
Many applications were received ut tn
State department today from persons II
the United States DESTROYS OF havin
American consuls investigate and repor
upon the safety OF their friends and rela
tives in Europe. The State department
Is returning the uniform answer tina
under their general instructions the con
suls will look after and report the cas-
OF any Americans in distress In thel
respective districts and consequently tina
no special instructions are needed.
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