Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-08-06
j. 8. PLANS To
AID AMERICANS
STRANDED ABROAD

Washington, Aug. 2-Thc United Statos
government to-day extended a helping
hand to thousands of Americans who are
stranded abroad without means of CASH
ing checks or letters Of credit owing to
the financial strlngenCy produced by the
European war.
Besides forwa riding hundreds OF tc,e-
grams to Americans through diplomatic
channels, orders were sent by tho state
department to allconsulatcs, legations and
embassies to use every influence at their
disposal to obtain money for citizens Of
the United states.
All American diplomatic officers were
instructed to exchange letters Of credit
or travellers cheques for "cmhassv
checks" or certificates. These arc issued
by the authority of tho United States
government. and Secretary Bryan said to-
night he was confident "cmhassy checks"
would be honored by railroads, steamship
companies and hotels abroad.
Relatives and friends Of Americans in
Turope can deposit funds with the state
department IN Washington and nm equiv
alcnt sum will bc advanced in an embassy
check abroad. Americans devoid II funds
will be given loans, just as was the case
In Mexico, ana an emergency appropria-
ton will he asked for to care for any dot
cheney in this connection.
Secretary Bryan expressed the view
that there were enough ships running Ia
care for Americans who desired to leave
Europe, hut said if any emergency arose,
everything necessary would be done by
the American government to assist them
to return homo.
President Wilson gave his personal at
tcntion to the problem Of aiding citizens
Of the United States.
State department advicos showed that
thousands in Europe had nocked to Eng
land kilograms by the score poured In
on the department from relatives and
friends throughout tho United States in
quiring for Americans IN Europe. Such
telegrams were forwarded to tho Euro
pean cmhassys and consulates.
100000 SHIPPED.
Before Mr.. McAdoo left WASHINGTON
the treasury shipped out about &@oo1,oe
of the Aldrich-Vrceland currency, which
will be in the vaults oC the sub-trcasury
tomorrow ready for the New York
banks This currency is most essential
like that Of the national banks, but can
be issued on the security Of high class
commercial paper or state and municipal
bonds.
Commercial paper used for this purpose
must be approved not only by the bank
which asks for currency in exchange, but
by the particular special association of
which the bank Is a member. In addition
the security must be acceptable to the
government
Tomorrow Mr. McAdoo and Mr., VII
liams will scan securities offered by New
York banks for emergency currency and
facilitate in every way its movement
from tho sub-trcasury to the hanks.
1t would not surprise officials In Wash
lnpton If Mr. McAdoo used his influence
in New York to keep the stock exchange
closed for some time. No direct pro.
posal of this kind was made, but he X
pected 10 show that tho government doas
not look kindly upon the re-opening OF
the exchange at this time and the specu,
lation which may follow.
TREASURY Is READY.
There has been no call from outsid,
New York for Aldrch-Nrrcland cur
rcncv and it was not believed here to-
night that other banks will make snci
calls. The treasury IS stocked with many
millions moro Of bills. printed, stam0"i
and packed ready for instant shipment
The very fact that this vast sum Is h.r'
Ia expected to have a reassuring oitrr
throughout the country.
The House is expected to pass promptly
legislation which already has Ron'
through the Senate removing restrictions