Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-08-31
UNCLE SAM QUICKLY
FURNISHES RELIEF
Government Issues Statement as to
Way Aid Was Speedily Sent
to Refugees.
AMERICANS ARE ALL SAFE
All on the Continent May Get in
Touch with the Folks Mt Home
ny Applying 60 the Nearest
Embassy or Legation.


WASHINGTON, Aug Slow the
American government has handled the
gigantic task OF providing relief and
means OF returning. home for thousands
OF its citizens marooned in the European
war zones was outlined tonight in a
formal statement issued by the federal
relief board.
Summing up the situation after nearly
three weeks of work. involving the use
OF millions of dollars. unprecedented
activities by diplomatic and consular
agents abroad and the dispatch OF two
gold-laden cruisers across the Atlantic,
the board said
The situation is SO greatly relieved
that Americans anywhere on the CONT
nent can by applying 20 the nearest em-
bassy or legation, get In touch with peo-
pie in this country, can get money II
they need any, and can get transporta-
ton home II they want It"
Had No warning.
The statement in part follows
without the slightest warning this
country was confronted with situation
which was without precedent and for
which 1t neither had. nor could have had.
any Dfe=ATTanktu ulbNulufies + lNhA AiAN
time OF the declaration OF war by Austria.
which was followed some days afterward
by numerous other similar declarations
every accustomed method OF business
was utterly dislocated. Financial agen-
cies, transportation systems on land and
sea. and cable and interior lines OF com
munication in Europe were all thrown
into utter confusion
Although no record Is kept OF the an
nual tourist from America to Europe
we we're informed initialy that there
were about 10000 such. They were scat
tered over the whole continent OF Europe.
BY reason of the mobilization all the
customary and normal ways Of life were
disarranged. international credits at
first friendly. ceased.
Government Acts Quickly.
1T goes without saying that the gov
eminent was not charged by law with re-
sponsibility, with respect 20 the financial
condition and transportation facilities
available to its citizens who were touring
the countries in question. However. II
was never suggested that this should af-
feet the attitude OF the government in
the matter. Congress Immediately APP
Americans marooncd abroad The presi'
dent Immediately turned over to the de-
partments which could most readily han
die the situation the execution OF the de-
tails. These departments were the state
Treasury. War and Navy.
The most important thing was to Sc
cure the opportunity for the return OF
Americans to this country. At that tins
the German liners had stopped; th'
French liners were not sailing and al
of the larger ships customarily sailing
between this country and English port
had suspended their sailings There wer'
only six all told, owned by an American
company and sailing under the American
flag, In the transatlantic service. Tn,
only other passenger ships under thu
American flag capable OF transporting
passengers across the Atlantic were theI
engaged In the eoastwise trade. ThesI
were small In size. almost wholly devoted
TO carrying cargoes. and with passenge
accommodations OF the most meagre de
scription This was the only source from
which the government had TO draw
Navy ships Soon Ready.
80 soon as It was possible to do so
two ships OF the navy we're made read!
to sail for the other side. Army officers
20 the number OF twenty-five or more
headed by the ASSISTANT secretary of war
were detailed 10 go on these vessels, 81
that they might personally lend their ali
wherever necessary when they reache,
the other side.
IAN Arrangement was made with tn
bankers Of this country whose client
were travelling in Europe with letters o
credit from them to be eashed at thei
agencies in Europe. TO transport som
s5,O0OOO in gold to be placed with thei
correspondents to meet the drafts afore
said. Some OF this was not only none
OF banks. but the express companie
which had issued travellers checks pay
able in Europe.
Uncle sans Money, Too,
with the same expedition was sent
million and a half Of gold belonging TO IN
government. 30 that II the situation the
existing continued. there would be tina
sum in physical value present whereve
needed in Europe
The friends An America of those ma
fOOned In Europe were naturally so al
prehensive about the financial oonditio
of the latter that they began depositin
money in the State department almos
Immediately. with requests that Il 4
transferred In some way. More tina
ssl50o0 In actual currency was taken
by the State department within the fir
three days, and almost $4,000 was take
In during the first week. The TTeasuT
department, as soon as 1t was possible
do so, established a system by which d.
posits could be made directly with II
sums 20 be transferred to the marOois
Americans in Europe, and more tla
81 10000 was thus deposited. A cred
OF t5e,o0 Was obtained at the Bank
England b. sending that sum in gold
our Treasury department to q disti
Buished English bank in ottawa, CAnad
Money Soon FORTHCOMING.
The Tennessee and the North Carolir
the ships of the navy above alluded
landed at Falmouth England. and I
money sent by the bankers was so d
posed OF that their correspondents In 4
rope immediately began cashing
drafts OF the Americans through their
customed agencies. The express co
panies likewise began paying travele
cheeks
AS soon as thousands OF names co,
be cabled TO Europe and distributed
The various oonsulates there, those
whom money had been deposited in I
ktate department and IN the Treasu