The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-30
HOW RELIEF BOARD
met Big PROBLEM
Statement Answers Critics and
Explains Task Created
by War.
NOTHING LIKE 1T BEFORE
Had to Find Americans Scat
tered Over Europe Before
They Could Be Aided.

| WARRINGTON, aug. ZS-The Federal
Relief Board made public a detailed
statement to-day regarding the work
which has confronted IT, Criticism from
many quarters has been levelled at the
board from time TO time and II was felt
| that much of II would have been with
held II the facts as to the prodigious
problem had been better understood
The statement follows in part
without the slightest warning this
country was confronted with a situation
which was without precedent, was en-
tirely unique and for which It neither had,
nor could have had. any prearranyed
machinery. From the time OF the declara-
ton of war by Austria, which was fol-
lowed some few days afterward by numer-
Gus other similar declarations, every &C.
customed method OF business was utterly
dislocated. Financial agencies transpor-
tation systems and land and sea and
cable and interior lines OF communication
In Europe were all thrown into utter
confusion.
Scattered over Europe.
Although no record is kept Of the
average annual tourists from America to
Europe, we were informed mutually that
there were about 10000 such. They were
scattered over the whole continent OF
Europe and in the British islands.
The most important thing was to get
Information concerning the whereabouts
of Americans and their needs.
The next most important thing. after
supplying their immediate needs was to
secure the opportunity for their return
TO this country.
80 soon as II was possible to do so
two ships Of the navy were made ready
! to sail for the other side. Army officers
TO the number of twenty-five or more
headed by ME Assistant Secretary OF War,
were detailed to go upon these vessels
so that they might personally lend their
aid wherever necessary.
AN arrangement was made with the
bankers OF this country whose clients were
travelling In Europe with letters OF credit
from them to be cashed at their agencies
In Europe to transport some $4,000, 900
in gold, to be placed with their foreign
correspondents to meet the drafts afore-
said.
with the same expedition was sent
million and half OF gold belonging
to the Government. so that IL the sit,-a-
ton then existing continued there would
he that sum in physical value present
wherever needed in Europe 20 relieve
the situation OF the Americans there.
Many Deposits Received,
The friends In America OF those ma
rooned in Europe were naturally so ap-
prehenslve about the financial condition
OF the latter that they began depositng
money in the State Department almost
immediately with request that II be trans
ferred In some other way. More thar
$500 600 was thus deposited
The Tennessee and North Carolina the
ships OF the navy above alluded to, landed
at Falmouth. England. and the money
sent by the bankers was so disposed of
that their correspondents in Europe i'm.
mediately began cash!ng the drafts OF the
Americans through their accustomed
agencies. The express companies like
wise began paying travellers checks As
soon as thousands Of names could he
cabled to Europe and distributed TO the
various Consulates there those for whom
money had been deposited in the State
Department and in the Treasury Depart
ment began 10 receive the sums deposited
for them.
Tn the meantime the Amha ssad doris and
Consuls were In constant communication
with the Government here and were con-
stantly giving information and receiving
directions. As n result order was brought
out OF chaos II was ascertained where
the Americans were, In which directions
they could be moved and where trans
portation would he available and when
Many Of the transatlantic TRANSPORTATION
companies, which for the first week or
so suspended their sailings, resumed
operations. among them the French liners
and the lines running from England and
some Of those from southern ports.
Held Tn In Interior.
TN consequence. the problem then i'm
mediatelv pressing was 10 get the Ameri-
cans from those countries where transnor-
tation To this country was not available
TO ports where II was availa BILE Just as
soon as opportunity offered the Ambas-
sailors and Consuls began TO arrange for
this interior transportation. Since that
time there has been a steady flow OF
Americans from all interior congested
points In the Continent to scaports where
II Is mere matter OF a comparatively
short time before they can secure trans
porta.ion home.
THE situation Is so greatly relieved
at the present time that Americans any-
where upon the Continent can by applv-
Ing to the nearest embassy or legation
get In touch with people in this country,
can get money II they need any and can
get transportation and passage home II
they want H.
While II is realized that statistics are
dry and embarrassing things. II illumines
the situation to know that at least 80. 600
Inquiries have been received Mt the State
'''f''' N'''h '''''iIHh o't"VV americans
in Europe. With respect to each one OF
these 10000 Americans in Europe there
has had TO be a separate card prepared
and placed in card index. OF these
80, 900 people about 10000 have been com
municated with-that is. located in Eu-
rope and their condition ascertained and
the information conveyed TO the inqulrers
Embassies Overtax~d.
I'VE were fortunate in being able TO
locate so many, because the Americans
were constantly moving from place to
place in their endeavor to reach point
OF embarkation. and their friends and
relatives here were able to give us only
the vaguest sort of a clue to their where's
abouts. The forces available to the Am
bassadors and Consuls for going out and
hunting up Americans were extremely lin
tied. since from the beginning their Of
fees have been literally swamped by the
work cast upon them by the war. They
were not only burdened by the extraord-
nary conditions affecting American in
terests and American citizens abroad, but
were called upon to represent in the diff
ferent capitals practically all other foreign
nations that cun-omarily have their rep
resentatves there.
"Our Most recent information is that
there will be at least forty sailings from
British ports within the next six weeks.
and many from French, Dutch, Italian