New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-04

nard flyer Mauritania, tasteSI OF al
merchantmen, doomed up of Fire ISL
and yesterday and landed her big pas
senger complement at $40 p. m.
As she neared Quarantine in the gray
of the evening her newly painted black
tunnels and bridge gave her the APP
pearance of a huge cruiser, and this
was the very impression the owners
wished her to make on the run across
the Atlantic.
Captain ]. T. W. Charles took his
charge further to the north than is
usual, thereby shortening his course,
the entire distance from the Northwest
Lightship, Liverpool, to the Ambrose
Channel Lightship being 1905 miles.
/ This was mado in 5 days hours and 7
minutes, at an average speed of 24.O2
knots. >
Throughout the entire trip no war
vessels were sighted, but there was
, never minute when the Marconi OPP
orators were not in communication
with one or more Of the eleven British
warships now patrolling the seas from
| Southampton 10 BuenOs AyreS. and
from New York to Argentina.
During the uncyentful voyage card
games went on as usual in the smok-
ing room, but there was no public en-
tertRinment.
Many Prominent Passengers.
Prominent among those on board
were George Won L. Meyer, former
Secretary Of the Navy; Oscar S. Straus
former American Ambassador to Tur-
KEY Henry w. Taft, Joseph P. Day,
Willard S. Brown, T. L. Chadbourne,
tr,, Edmund Dwight, Mrs. Arthur Glib,
Mrs. Benjamin Guggenheim, Norman E.
Mack, Mrs. Marshall Field, Justice
David Leventritt, James W. Osborne,
Mrs. Otto H. Kahn, William Cary San
ger and Mason Olcott
Oscar S. Straus and Joseph p. Day,
the real estate operator, were the re-
cipients Of many thanks from the Maui
retania's passengers last night, as both
men had worked necessarily in helping
Americans in London to get home.
Speaking of Mr.. Day, Mr.. Straus
said "Joe is the busiest man on this
ship, and until he sailed ne was the
most active American in London. he
was chairman of the transportation
committee, and, thanks to his efforts,
panic was averted and contid ance IN
travelling under the English Tag was
restored. He made big profits for him
self out Of it-not money, 0uc div
dends which are stored away in the
hearts of the thousands Of AmegcInS
he assisted"
Mr.. Day said he had never la5jled
in the steamship business, but went 1t
it with the idea that it was handled
about the same as real estate, and
found he was not mistaken.
The worst Of the American conges-
tion in London is now over" said Mr.
Day. THE panicky feeling that arose
as soon as war was declared did not
last long, but it took me at least
week to convince my fellow country
men and their families that it was pb-
solutely safe for them to travel under
the British flag.
Americans in England were splcn-
didly and Loyalty treated by the Brit
ish. The steamship companies could
not have acted more considerably, and
prices on necessities were raised only
in keeping with the increase OF the IA
tons insurance.
No Assistance Needed.
81 am delighted to say that among
the 1,5T4s passengers on this steamship
there is not one in need Of assistance
from the Mayors committee. Not even
among the SOB steeragc passengers wa
there one who lacked money. That in
itself speaks for the splendid treat
ment of American refugees in England.
MIR. Stratus expressed himself last
night as being opposed to the taking
over of steamships of belligerent ma
tions by the United States government
and secuted the idea that the entrance
of the Turks into the war as an ally
of Germany would precipitate an up
rising of the Mahometan races.
every one realizes" said Mr..
Straus. that this European war is
going TO be the bloodiest conflict in
history. This country should maintain
it's neutrality so strictly that there will
be no chance for her TO become en-
barrassed for a great task that lies
ahead of her She must be strictly
neutral, not alone for her own well
fare, but for the benefit of the other
nations.
"When the time comes she will be
able 20 render the most valuable SER
vice that any country may possibly
perform, in acting as mediator and
peacemaker. There will be successes
and defeats recorded on both sides.
But the time will eventually come
when the mediatOry power of our
country will become absolutely neces-
sary to save the exhaustion of the
belligerent nations"
Would Violate Neutrality.
Regarding the taking over of the
Hamburg-American and North German
Lloyd steamships by the United
States government Mr.. Straus said:
at would be most unwise for this
government to purchase any of these
ships, except for its own purposes. 1t