New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-08
Ships Now Held Here
Could Help Bring Amer
leans Home.
GERMANY MUM ON
HOLDING TOURISTS
Treasury Department Gives Out
Instructions for Transporting
Stranded Travellers.


Washington, Aug. Plans have
been completed in the War Department
for the chartering Of about ten steam
ers which are found 20 be available to
bring American refugees home from
Europe, provided IL is possible 20 come
to terms with the owners Of these
vessels.
The War Department has in its pos
session several chartered vessels, but
they could not be spared from Calves
ton, where they are still held IN resdi-
ness for an emergency. There are
three regular transports. which possess
a carrying capacity Of 3,10O passengers.
These vessels. with the ten chartered
steamers Of the American Line, making
total of thirteen available vessels.
have capacity Of about $4,000 II is
believed that that number Of persons
could be returned to the United States
on the first voyage at a cost Of about
500 a passenger, which rate would be
reduced one-half on subsequent voy-
ages.
The owners Of these vessels say that
they cannot afford to take less than
double the charter price OF the vessels
now under the control of the War De-
partment, for the reason that tho
steamers would be withdrawn from i'm
portant and profitable service. and the
loss of business must be taken into
account in determining the charter
price. An alternative proposition is 10
purchase some Of the thirty or forty
foreign transatlantic steamers now
held in American ports. IL is suggest
ed that four of the North German
Lloyd Line and four Hamburg Line
ships would be OF great use. Those
eight vessels, which would be immedi-
stely available, would carry about
10000 persons. Their acquisition
would not involve the withdrawal OF
transports from service which Seere-
tary Garrison believes may be neces-
sary between Galveston and Vera Cruz.
1t is thought that no international
complications would ensue by reason
OF the purchase of the foreign steam
ers, which. II is believed, could be OBJ
tanned at very reasonable prices under
the existing circumstances. and proba-
bly, could be sold for an equal price on
the termination of hostilities. IL is
estimated that il will take about $780,
600 70 fit for service vessels which are
chartered, and that it will be neces-
sary TO work day and night for from
eight to ten days 10 put the vessels in
readiness and stock them with supplies
for the purpose contemplated
England and France have signifed
their desire to promote in every proper
way the relief of Americans in Europe.
and they will cooperate with the
United States so far as is consistent.
Advices to this effect have been re-
ceived by the Department of State,
much to the relief of administration
/ officials, who feared some difficulty
might be encountered
The officials are anxiously awaiting
word from Germany in reply to the
representations concerning the Ameri-
cans held there pending mobilization
OF the kaiser's army. There has been
no communication between the two
I governments for two days. II is be-
ileved that new aspect of the war
situation may be disclosed when official
information is received from Ger
many.
Mr.. Bryan said this afternoon that
efforts were being made to get into
communication with Germany. He
would say nothing about the attitude
OF the involved powers toward this
governments movement to rescue the
( stranded Americans abroad.