Evening star., 1914-08-14
Relief Board Obtains Trans
ports, Chartered and Neu-
trail Ships for Service.
BRYAN TO ASK CONGRESS
FOR HALF MILLION MORE
Americans Warned Against Making
Unnecessary Visits to Warning
Countries.

relief continued tooay the development of
their program to bring war-bound Amer
leans home from Europe.
Plans had been completed to make pos
sible the return Of about 10000 persons
on army transports. chartered steamers
and vessels flying neutral flags within the
next thirty days. and members OF the
board sought to determine whether addi-
tioiial steps would be necessary.
The State Department it was said. will
ask Congress for an additioal appropria-
ton. probably of 100000. to cover the
cost of cablegrams inquiring into the
safety of Americans abroad About $3.50
roo already has been spent for that pur-
pose
Volunteers who have co-operated with
Ambassador Gerard have made 1t pos
sible for the embassy in Berlin to restore
almost normal conditions among Amer
leans in Germany. according to re-
port received today at the State Depart
ment Cooperation cf the Dresdener
Bank which has agreed to cash limited
number of checks of Americans bearing
the American consular stamp of fdenti-
hcation. has greatly relieved the financial
tension.
Consuls in Germany Get Specie.
From funds subscribed by the Ameri-
can colony in Berlin and large per-
sonal contribution from a Mr.. Ruddcck
of Chicago, specie has been sent to
many American consuls throughout
Germany for cashing checks. and a
pays out cash allowances to the needy,
has been established in Berlin, with
Mrs. Gerard and Mrs. Ruddock In
charge. A card index has been made
them into three classes: Families with
small children. women alone and all
others; srsr >, -. wo,r new. gencv word
has been sent to all American citizens
in Germany. but travel to or from
southern Germany, where most of the
baths and many of the pleasure resorts
are located. is practically impossible
In addition to the work of assisting
Americans Ambassador Gerard reports
that he has opened an English bureau
in the embassy for the issue Of pass
ports and general aid to British sub
jects. Boylston Beale of Boston Is In
charge of that work
The State Department today received
q long cablegram from the American
embassy at Berlin. transmitted via
Copenhagen, stating that all Amerf-
cans at Berlin are perfectly safe. A
Berlin. Wednesday, to extend encour-
agement and sympathy to Americans
now there. The embassy reports that
travel to the south is practically i'm
sent to the Holland frontier. Boats
between Holland and England are still
running. The embassy is assisting in
the selling Of tickets to Americans de-
string to leave by this means.
For the last ten days the embassy
has been maintaining a relief depart
nent and has been sending money to
consuls for the relief Of Americans.
many of whom are destitute. especially
foreign born.
To Use Five Transports.
The nve transports-the Sumner, Kill
patrick. Denver. City of Macon and
road steamer Cristobal are to be out
fitted at Newport News for their relief
errand- Secretary Garrison said 1t was
hoped that only a few days would be
required to make the extensive changes
necessary to equip the steamers. They
win accommodate about 5000 pas
sengers. Vessels flying neutral flags
can handle about 5000 returning Amer
leans within the next month, while
Ambassador Page at London has au-
d
and Ambassador Page at Rome has en-
gagged one or more for the refugees.
It is believed today that If 10000
Americans, besides those who already
could be returned to the United States
within the next few weeks. the relief
problem would be solved.
Inquiries concerning the safety Of
Americans abroad have reached the
State Department in such number that
it was said to be difficult to transmit
them to diplomatic agencies in Eu-
rope.
Release Alleged Spy.
John L. Ferguson, an American
citizen. arrested at Malone bay, Nova
Scotia. Tuesday. suspected of being a
spy. has been released. It was shown
that Ferguson was employed in max
ing maps Of Nova Scotia for the gov
srnment. Ferguson halls from Spo-
kane. Wash. and is a Dartmouth Col
sege undergraduate.
Warning to Americans against maxi
ng unnecessary visits to Europe was
ssued by Secretary Bryan
"An Americans who 20 abroad sbou,d
AIRY American passports, said the Sec
'etary. American citizens are advised
aot to visit. unnecessarily. Countries
Snich are not at war. 1t is especially
important that naturalized American cit :
zens refrain from visiting their conn
ries OF origin or countries which are at
var herewith
The State Department announced that
sassports would be issued to Americans
abroad who cannot without great fiifTi.
:uity. danger or expense reach an Amer-
can diplomatic agent upon the recent Of
properly sworn application in their he
aalf by kinsman or Legal representatives.
the Omitted States
Americans Reported Safe.
Reports from diplomatic officers in
Europe. received by the State pepart-
nent announced the safety of the fol-
owing Americans. about whom inou,rv
las been made
New York;. B. Thomas, Bern.
9rofs- Richter and Pratt. left Munich
'or Holland: Francesca Textor. Iert
Cologne for Holland: Leon H. Kroll. San
Sebastian; Mrs. H. c. Cronemeyer. Rar-
min Ethel Won Schilling. F. c. Thruelson.
Copenhagen: Mrs. Maddox, sailed Mar
leille for Genoa: Rev. Sterling Talbot.
cairo; Countess kossakowski, GLADYS