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

guaranteed by the government. and
those who were actually destitute
We're taken care OF by the govern
ment.
II is not, of course. suggested that
under these extraordinary circum-
stances there were not unfortunate
delays, mistakes made and annoying
and dfsconcerting Incidents. A mere
statement of the existing conditions
carries with II the conclusion that
this would be inevitable; but, on the
other hand. consideration Of the
existing conditions demonstrates that
no provision was possible in the case;
that the situation had to be accepted
and dealt with as II was found, and
that all was done that could be done
under the circumstances.
$4,000 Inquiries.
1t Illuminated the situation to know
that at least $4,000 inquiries have been
made at the state department con-
corning $4,000 Americans in Europe.
With respect to each Of these 30,-
900 Americans In Europe there has had
to be separate card prepared and
placed In q card index. OF these 10000
people about 10000 have been COM
mpnicated with--that is. located in
Europe and their condition ascsrtained
and the information conveyed to the
inquirers.
We were fortunate In being able to
locate so many because the Americans
were constantly moving from place to
place In their endeavor to reach q
point Of embarkation. and their friends
and relatives here were able to give
rus only the vaguest sort Of clue to
their whereabouts.
The forces available to the ambas-
sailors and consuls for going out and
hunting up Americans were extremely
limited, since from the beginning their
Offices have been literally swamped by
the work cast upon them by the war.
They were not only burdened by the
extraordinary conditions affecting
American interests and American cit
liens abroad, but were called upon to
represent In the different capitals
practically all other foreign nations,
who customarily have representatives
there.
The military attaches, and some 40
or more officers attending foreign mil
itary exercises and schools, were util-
ICED In relief work, In addition to
those who accompanied the assistant
secretary of war on the Tennessee.
Cur most recent Information is that
there will be at least 40 sailings from
British ports within the next six
weeks, and many from French, Hol-
land, italian and Spanish ports.
ho TINA MI onnaoroA hot
ali the customary lines Of steamers
were to suspend sailings, the board
set about providing transportation to
be prepared In this country, and sent
abroad for such Americans as could
not obtain other means Of Transports
ltion. The facts have been stated
above about the available ships. IL
was thought best to utilize the army
transports and the chartered coast
wise boats which had been utilized be-
tween Galveston and Vera Cruz. II
was necessary, however. to greatly
expand their passenger-carrying ca
pacity and to alter It for the better
to the extent that It was possible to
do so.
Our present Information is that the
ordinary avenues of travel from Great
Britain and Europe have opened up
to such an extent that II Is only q
matter of a few weeks until all our
fellow-countrymen can return home,
In the meantime, their friends can
communicate with them and send
money to them, and they can be as.
surod of passage to seaport and
thence home.
In cases where there is either tenn
porary financial embarrassment or
actual destination, the government
will deal Herewith as the occasion re-
quires. They are In no danger from
the perils OF war and by the use OF
common sense can obtain relief from
all other consequences of the war.
We feel sure that the unavoidable
ldiscomforts and Inconvenience which
they may have to suffer will be borne
with the proper patience and courage
which the occasion demands.
We do not feel that this statement
should close without an expression OF
our profound gratitude to the diner.
ent governments, all OF which have
shown TO our government and to our
people IN their boundaries every pos
sible courtesy and consideration. and
!, have thereby greatly aided and facil
litated our labJrs.
| Members OF DIT. M. w. Lau's Bible
class viii spend Friday with DR.. Lau