Evening star., 1914-08-08
is READY TO SAIL
WITH CASH ABOARD
Cruiser North Carolina to
Carry Funds to the Ma
rooned Americans.
NEWS OF THE TOURISTS
IN MANY OF THE CENTERS
Improvements in Conditions in War
Zone Reported by Board
of Relief.

With the armored cruiser North Caro-
lima ready at Boston to sail on an
hours notice with additional millions
in gold for the relief of Americans
marooned in the war zone, and with
many of the European centers. and
the prospect of getting sufficient yes
sells to bring them home, government
officials and friends of the refugees"
felt today that all that is possible had
been done for their comfort and safety.
Improvements in conditions throughout
the war zone in Europe were reported
today at the first meeting Of the board
of relief created by President Wilson to
deal with the problems of bringing home
stranded Americans.
It was said after the meeting that
transportation conditions in France were
practically at normal again and that IN
every way the situation was vastly bet
tered than few days ago.
To Print Instructions.
The board decided to have printed in
structions for the sending of money tc
Americans. which also will carry every
bit of cheering information In the pos
session of the government respecting
European conditions. 1t is designed 70
aid Americans in communicating with
their friends.
AS a result of the conference no more
naval vessels will be dispatched to Eu-
rope for the present Nesotlatlons are
still in progress to secure vessels TO
bring Americans home. but 1t was the
hope of the board that decisive action
at sea will solve that problem.
1t was pointed out that If the seas
are reopened to commerce the CONNER
nf a
querors probably will be turned at once
to trade, and they will offer facilities
far superior to any this government
might obtain through the renting or pur-
available.
The board hopes that 1t will not be
forced to make use of army transports
for it realizes that they are far from
the sort of ships that Will make traNei-
ing comfortable for women and chlldren.
Investigation has shown that il Ameri-
can ships must be obtained about thirty
will be available.
Time of Transportation Discussed
To be ready for all emergencies there
u,.s some discussion of the length of
time necessary to transport Americans
from Europe in American boats which
may be obtained. but no definite plans
were made on this line
The state Department has authorized
the ambassador at London to draw LOT
$500. 900: at Paris. s10Hn; Z; Soi,ie, Sn 20
coo: the ministers at Berne, $io.ooo, and at
The Hague $4,000. More will be sent as
needed.
tails and parcelcd out among the consuls
Security of some kind will be required
wherever an American can give II, ana
need of aid will have't to be shown before
help is extended.
Friendly Attitude Manifested.
England. France and Italy have sig
nified their desire to promote IN every
possible way the relief of Americans IN
Europe. and they will cooperate with the
United States so far as is consistent.
Adyices to this effect have been received
by the Department of State, much to the
relief Of administration officials. VINO
feared some difficulty might be encoun-
tered
Double Price E1acted.
The owners of these vessels say that
they cannot afford to take less enan oou-
BILE the charter price OF the vessels no"
under the control of the war Depart
mont for the reason that the steamers
would he withdrawn from important and
proftable service and the loss OF ousl-
ness must be taken into account IN de-
termining the charter price. An alter
native proposition is tc purchase some OF
the thirty or forty foreign transatlantic
steamers now held in American ports. 1t
is suggested that four of the North Ger
man Lloyd line and four Hamburg line
ships would be of great use Those eight
vessels, which would be Immediately
available, would carry about $4,000 per-
sons Their acquisition would not involve
the withdrawal of transports from serv-
ice which Secretary Garrison believes
may be necessary between Galveston
and Vera Cruz
It is thought that no international
complications would ensue by reason
of the purchase of the foreign steam
ers. which. it is believed could be OBJ
tanned at very reasonable prices under
the existing circumstances. and prob
ably could be sold for an equal price on