The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-09-11

an approaching trair
Ing to the government, SO that II the
situation then existing continued
there would be that sum In physical
value present wherever needed IN
Europe to relieve the situation OF the
Americans there.
Deposits by Friends.
The friends In America OF those
marooned In Europe we're naturally so
apprehensive about the financial con-
dition OF the latter that they began de-
posting money In the state depart
ment almost Immediately, with re-
guests that 1t be transferred In some
way.
More than $4,000 In actual curren-
cy was taken in by the state depart
ment within the first three days and
the first week.
as II was possible to do so, established
a system by which deposits could be
made directly with II of sums to be
transferred to the marooned Ameri-
cans In Europe. and more than $780,
900 was thus deposited.
To some extent this was accom-
plfshed by customary banking meth
DDS and In some instances extraordi-
nary ways had to be devised. A credit
OF half million dollars was obtained
at the Bank Of England by sending
that sum In gold by our treasury de-
partment to designated English bank
in Ottawa, Canada.
When 1t is realized that these de-
posts In the state and treasury de-
partments ranged from few dollars
upward, some idea will be given OF
the tremendous labor involved IN this
work.
Extraordinary means had to be TAX
en- to identify the payee, to ascer-
tain as, nearly as possible his where
abouts and to determine the method
of giving him the benefit OF the money
deposited here for him.
The Tennessee and the North Caro-
lima, the ships Of the navy above al
luded to, landed at Falmouth, England,
and the money sent by the bankers
was so disposed OF that their CORE
spondents in Europe immediately be-
gan cashing the drafts OF the AmerE
cans through their accustomed agen.
cies. The express companies likewise
began paying travellers checks.
Disbursements In Europe.
AS soon az thousands Of names could
be cabled to Europe and distributed to
the various consulates there, those for
whom money had 'been deposited In
the state department and In the treas
ury department began to receive the
sums deposited for them. The ofi-
GERS, under the direction of the AS
|sistant secretary Of war, who reached
England on the naval ships, were i'm.
mediately dispatched to every capital
in Europe with SUFFICIENT sums OF
money to take care Of those Ameri-
cans who. could not otherwise be PRO-
vided for, those who had exhausted
their ready money and had no letter
OF credit or travellers checks. So soon
as conditions made It possible to do
so. funds for similar uses we're placed
with each embassy and consul.
In the meantime the ambassadors
and consuls were In constant commu
nication with the government here
and were constantly giving informa
| ton and receiving directions. As
result order was brought out OF chaos:
LIT was ascertained where the Ameri
mans were. In which directions they
could be moved and where transports
ton would be available and when.
Getting Americans TO Ports.
Many of the transatlantic transpor
tation companies, which for the first
week or SO, suspend their sailings
resumed operations, among them the
French liners and the lines running
from England. some Of those from
southern ports. In consequence. the
problem then Immediately pressing
was to get the Americans from those
countries where transportation to this
country was not available to ports
where Il was available.
Since that time there has been q
steady flow of Americans from all In
terior congested points in the CONT
nent 10 seaports. where II Is a mere
matter OF comparatively short time
before they can secure transportation
home.
wouId not be a resumption of regular
saiIines suficient TO take care Of the
Americans. the consular agencies
were directed to secure ships for this
purpose
Up to the present time 10 or more
sbips have been thus secured al
places where the existing transporta
fion facilities were insufficient and
thousands OF Americans will b
brought back on these boats.
Those who were able to pay fol
their accommodation did so: those
who were not presently able. but who
would be when they reached thh
country, had their passage money