New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-02
Takes Steps to Protect
u. S. Interests and Pre-
vent Stringency.
MAY SEND GOLD TO
HELP THE STRANDED
postofice to Issue Only Small
Money Orders to Stop
Speculation.

ments in Europe oyershadowed all else
to-day and tonight in The attention
Of official Washington.
Steps to prevent a financial string
ency in this country as result OF
Europe's sudden need Of gold were FOL
lowed by a series Of precautionary
measures designed to protect Americans
and their interests abroad, as we'll as
az home. 49,,
The President and Mr. Bryan die
cussed several plans, but Will not MAKE
final decision until tomorrow. when
they will confer again and get the
opinion OF the bankers who usually
serve the State Department abroad 81
normal times.
n necessary the Washington govern
ment is prepared g. send American yes.
sells abroad with gold for the relief y,
Americans. Immediateiy after the cen
ference with the President MIR. Bryan
cabIed all consulates, legations and
embassies to spare no pains IN caring
for Americans who remained in the
war zones and giving every facility to
those who wished 20 leave.
State Department officials admitted
that the most serious problem con-
fronting them wss the plight OF Ameri-
cans abroad. They estimated that a.
least 100000, and perhaps as many rs
400 600 are scattered throughout Eu-
rope. The disorganization Of European
exchange has made it practically I'M
possible TO cash checks or letters OF
credit
President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan studied mass Of dispatches
from American embassies, legations
and consulates in Europe. While no
formal tender of good offices has beer
made 70 any power, American diplo-
mats abroad are keeping the state D.
partrcnt closely advised. so that II an
opportunity presents itself the m
Auence OF the United States Tor SET
Element Of the war problems by paeihc
means will be actively excrted.
Ambassadors Page, at London; Pen
feld. ct Vienna; Herriek, at Psris, and
Gerard, at Berlin. were particularly
active during the day comforting with
officials OF the various foreign orhees
Thew are at work in the interest," OF
peace and thus far have been acting
on their own initiative. In their avs
matches to the State Department tney
made various suggestions. but untii
the situation develops further no de-
cisive step in diplomacy VIII be taken
by the Washington government.
The State Department, however, IN
structed all it's diplomatic representa-
tiyes abroad to do everything IN thelr
mower with -propriety TO avert the con-
fict The instructions were to counsel
for peace and calmness wherever ~
was possible in an informal way.
Germany. Frsnce, Great Britain, and
practically all the other governments OF
Europe which may become involved ~
the struggle, have asked the United
States to care for their diplomatic IN
terests IN those countries with when
thew may be compelled TO sever reis.
tions. The United States has accepted
every request OF this kind.
In this way the United States govern
/ nnent. bv acting as the sole channel OF
communication between the powers
NAV find an opportunity 10 assist IN tns
settlement Of the conflict by means oil
/ diplomacy.
President Wilson has not lost hope
/ that general conflict can be- avcrtcd.
/ some of the Official dispatches suggest
/ ed that the military measures being
/ taken BY some OF the powers were pre-
/ cautionary and not definitely Indicative
of an intention actually TO engage IN
/ hostilities.
The gravity Of the situation was
I admitted in all the kilograms. news
! that Germany had declared war on
Russia came unofiicially while Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Bryan were
in conference in the executive omees'
Soon aftcrward. Mr.. Bryan hurried back
TO the State Department ana sent
several long eablegrams abroad, the
s .,,Lf.h tuoa mt HlsClOSCd.
To prevent a paralysis in commerce,
4 President Wilson and Congressional
leaders to-day agreed or legislation
which would permit foreign ships 10
come under American register IN case
of a general war. -.
No proclamation Of neutrality will
be issued by the United States until
the situation develops more clearly
IL was. pointed out that there was no
urgent need for the proclamation, as u
was generally understood that the
limited States would remain neutral
The President will wait until genera
proclamation can be issued covering al
countries involved. =,
Officials of the government generally
we're busy preparing for emergencies
Secretary Bryan postponed his trip "a
Ashevile. n. c., where he had planned
TO spend a weeks vacation with Mrs
Bryan.
nounced that thus far there had been
no interruption or delay 70 mail SER
vice from the United States. Al
though German steamer sailings have
been cancelled. American mail for Eu.
rope has been sent by other lines
Postmasters have been notified not to
sell international postal money orders
for unusually large sums because OF
the fear that the money order system
might be used for speculative purposes