New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-02
TO GET
NARROWED TOURISTS

cans here there was continual stream
of men offering So (S25) notes in pay
ment. for 10-cent drinks and asking Tor
change. only TO be told that there was
no gold in the house. Some OF chem
got the drink for nothing, but most OF
them were able to produce silver when
pressed.
Such scenes were never before wit
messed in the West End OF London,
where ordinarily the notes of any
country of the world are changed with
out question.
A meeting of prominent American
residents was held here to-day and or
ganized mission to assist their COM
patriots who may be stranded on tho
Continent through the paralysis OF me
ordinary banking facilities. They VIII
send men to the Continent provided
with money to help Americans to reac1
home if the Continental governments
will permit the agents TO enter IL IS
believed that passports and letters
from the ambassador, explaining the
purposes OF the mission, will enable
the agents TO carry out the work.
The American Ambassador, Walter
II. Page, and the First Secretary OF
the embassy, Irwin b. Lsughlin, have
gone to the country for the week end
and cannot be reached by telephone to-
night, although several important COM
munications are awaiting them here.
The refusal tonight Of many hotels
and restaurants to accept any money
except British gold increased the feel
ing Of panic among the host of Ameri-
cans here. Even big department stores
took Bank of England So notes in pay
6 L.
display OF reluctance this afternoon,
and in some cases refused TO toucn
paper money at all.
The Tribune correspondent talked
4 personally with the head manager of
| one establishment before he was per-
mitted to pay for a purchase with a
note. No checks on English banks are
| cashod at the Savoy, Carlton. Ritz,
| Claridge's. Cecil and other leading
/ hotels, and American Express Com
/ pany checks were accepted only in pay
ment Of hotel bills.
/ II is understood that aluost 100000
was passed out over the counter to
Americans by the American Express
/ Company, of which none was paid in
gold unless 3 strenuous demand was
made for it by the customer. One
American woman drew eight hundred
gold sovereigns. filling a suitcase
which two attendants carried TO taxi
cab.
Police and detectives are keeping a
/ close watch on all institutions of q
banking character for fear crooks may
seize the opportunity for making big
haul.
1t is reported that the American En-.
bassy is not plentifully supplied WITH
gold and is eagerly clamoring FOL
funds from America.
William Klein, a theatrical lawyer
tried to change Austrian gold notes a.
the Hotel Savoy, but the management
laughed, remarking, That's so mucf
junk now" He then offered a 500 golC
certificate of the United States, which
also was not accepted. the explanation
being: "The American government
] didn't make good its notes in the panic
o. 1907. did it,"
Most Americans nave quit spending
-. cent outside of their hotels, so as L
have everything on their bill, which
still is payable in paper money, anC
are boarding gold like misers.
The theatres are half empty, because
OF their reluctance TO take paper money
for seats. One American started q
leave big restaurant in Piccadilly to
night owing to the refusal of thu
waiter TO accept IS note in payment
for mis- check, but the waiter finally
took the paper, but gave the "a chang'
all in silver.
Many householders are not paying
their bills. due 10 fear that a mora
toriur will be declared and they viii
I be unable TO get funds.