New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-30
Only Necessary to Apply
to legations Anywhere
on Continent.
RELIEF BOARDS HUGE
TASK NEARLY AT END
Stupendous Work of Rescuing
Citizens Abroad Told in
Official Statement.

Washington. Aus. % How the
American government has handled the
gigantic task Of providing relief and
means Of returning home for thousands
Of its citizens msrooned in the Euro
.pean war zones was outlined tonight
in a formal statement TO the public
, issued by the Federal Relief Board
Summing up the situation after near
IN three weeks Of work. involving the
use OF millions Of dollars. unprecedent-
cd activities by diplomatic and con
sular agents abroad and the dispatch
OF two gold-laden cruisers across 'he
Atlantic. the board said:
THE situation Is so greatly relieved
AT the present time that Americans
anywhere upon the Continent can, by
applvinc 20 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.
Without the slightest warning,
saws the statement. "thlS country was
confronted with "a situation whlch was
without precedent was entirely unique.
snd for which IL neither had, nor could
have had. any prcarranCed machinery:
Prom the time Of the declaration OF
war by Austria. which was followed
some few days aftergard by other
similar declarations. every accustomed
method Of business was utterly diSlo-
Gated. Financial agencies. transporta-
ton systems on land and sea, and cable
and interior lines OF communication IN
Europe were all thrown into utter con-
t.-lpr.
Tourists All over Europe.
although no record is kept of the
average annual tourists from America
TO Europe. we were Informed inltlally
that there were about 100000 such.
They were scattered over the whole
Continent Of Europe and IN the British
Islands. Gables 10 some Of the coun-
tries were rendered useless The exist
ing rables were 50 overburdened that
messages were delayed for very long
periods Of time.
by reason Of the mobilization going
forward I'm practically every European
country where Americans were travel
ling, all the customary and normal
WAYS OF life were disarranged. Inter
national credits AZ first entirely ceased.
II was thought at that time that only
the actual physical gold at any place
involved IN the war area would be use
ful 20 Americans, and for q time all
bankers and express companies who or
dinarily pay travellers letters OF credit
and travellers checks ceased dong So
at goes without saying. Of course,
that the government was not charged
by law with responsibility with respect
10 the financial condition and trans
narration facilities available to its citi-
zens who were touring the countries IN
question However. il was never sug-
gested that this should affect the attl-
.ude OF the government in the matter
No red tape or oircumlocution or sug-
rested freedom from the responsibility
on behalf Of the government was al
lowed 10 stand in the way for a mo-
ment.
Congress Immediately appropriated
$3.50. 600 for the relief, protection ana
TRANSPORTATION of the Americans who
were marooned abroad. The President
Immediately turned over 10 the depart
ments which could most readily handle
;he situation the execution o. the de-
tails. These departments were the state
Treasury, War and Navy.
Swamped with Inquiries.
For every person thus marooned
there were numerous persons IN TINS
country interested in his whereabouts
and welfare. The departments were lit
orally sVamped with inquiries. Machln-
cry had 20 be devised IN each Of the de-
uartments involved 20 handle the stu
alton confded 20 its management II
was realized that the first and most
important thing was % place at the
disposal OF the Americans IN Europe
the necessary money with which 10
support themselves until they could
obtain transportation home.
"The next most important thing was
20 get information concerning the
whereabouts Of Americans, and their
needs. This. u Will be readily per
ceived. was no slight undertaking. Trav-
cling Americans do not, as rule, car
~ passports and are not, therefore,
registered.
"The next most important thing was
90 secure the opportunity for their re-
turn 20 this country. lnitIally II was
supposed that this would have TO be
done wholly by transportation sent
from this country At that time the
German liners had stopped; the French
liners were not sailing, and all OF the
larger ships customarly sailing be
tween this country and English ports
had suspended their sallinCs.
There were only six ships, all told,
owned by an American company and
sailing under the American flag, in
transatlantic service. The only other
passenger ships under the American
flag capable of transporting passengers
across the Atlantic were ships then en-
gagged In the coastwiSe trade. These
were small IN size, almost wholly de-
voted 70 carrying cargoes, and with
passenger accommodations Of the most
meagre description. This was the only
source from which the government had
20 draw.
Twenty-Five Army Officers Sent.
$50 soon as II was possible TO do so
two ships OF the navy were made ready
70 sail for the other side. Army Of
hcers, 20 the number OF twenty-five or
more, headed by the Assistant Secrc-
tary OF War, were detailed 20 go upon
these vessels, so that they might per
sonally lend their aid wherever neces-
sary when they reached the other side
AN arrangement was made with the
bankers of this country whose clients
were travelling in Europe with letters
Of credit from them 20 be cashed al
their agencies In Europe, 10 transport
some 100000 in gold 20 be PLACED
with their foreign correspondents tC
meet the drafts aforesaid Some o.
this IVES not only money OF banks, but
o. express companies which had ISSUED
travellers checks payable in Europe.
with the same expedition was sent
81 .5O0.O 600 Of gold belonging 20 the gov
eminent, so that II the situation Their
existing continued there would be that
sum in physical value presen. wherever
odd fu Eurouq relieve the sltua.