Evening star., 1939-08-26

Americans on page 49,
By the Associated Press.
The State Department expects to
be called on to represent various for
eign countries in the capitals of
their enemies if war breaks out in
Europe.
Accordingly. officials said today,
preparations are being made to carry
out such a function, along with ar
rangements for evacuating Amer
leans from Europe. The department
said it would set up special unit
for the latter purpose.
Special sections would be estab-
lished in some of the embassies
abroad to deal with such matters as
'the protection of the interests of
foreign governments after a rupture
of diplomatic relations" the depart
ment added.
This means the United States
would, in effect, take over the diplo-
matte representation of certain bel
ligerent nations to their enemies, if
they requested it. The embassies
or legations of those countries would
be sealed and the custodianship
would be assumed by the United
States.
Could Issue Passports.
The American Government could
send notes to the foreign Offices of
the belligerents involved. 1t could
issue passports and, in general, per-
form almost the same functions as
1t performs in representing Amer
leans.
During the World War, the United
States represented number of bel
ligerents, including Great Britain,
France and Turkey. When the
United States entered the war
against Germany, she asked Spain
to assume protection of her interests
In the Reich.
In announcing its plan for return
ing Americans from war zones, the
State Department expressed the
opinion that all Americans in Eu-
rope could return home on Ameri-
can merchant ships, although 'it
will, of course, not be possible for all
to return as rapidly as some of them
may wish"
Pressure on existing steamship
facilities is already pronounced" the
department said in a statement,
'and it will increase manifoldly in
the event of an actual outbreak of
hostilities."
The department added, however,
that it did not intend to disturb the
regular services of American flag
vessels, or to commander vessels,
although it might charter American
ships in other services ''aS circum-
stances make it necessary"
Loan Arrangements Made.
Arrangements have been made to
advance money to Americans strand
ed in Europe. Individuals unable to
obtain funds from private sources
can get advances from the Govern
nent for their transportation costs
in return for their promissory notes.
The department said it did not in
tend to make use of American naval
vessels for repatriation work except
for emergency transportation from
isolated places.
Of1icials indicated American diplo-
matte posts abroad were advising
Americans to leave metropolitan
centers for safer places while await
ing transportation of America. Met
ropolitan centers, they contend.
would be the first targets of aerial
bombing
The wartime responsibilities of this
Governments diplomatic officers
abroad were among the subjects of
discussion at luncheon conference
yesterday between President Roose-
welt and Joseph E. Davies, American
Ambassador to Belgium. Mr.. Davies,
interrupting a vacation in the Adj
rondack Mountains, came to Wash
ington for the meeting He told re-
porters later that eff there should
be war I will catch the first boat
back to my post
Washington embassies and lega-
tions of foreign governments like
wise were keeping close watch on
developments here and abroad,
many of them curtailing vacation
activities to be on hand here.
Among the latest to return was Ken
suke Horinouchi, Japanese Ambas-
sador, who was due back today from
White Sulphur Springs, w. Va.
French Envoy Still Hopeful.
Among foreign callers at the State
Department yesterday was the
French Ambassador, Count De
Saint-Quentin. Later, he said, 81
have not yet given up hope for
peace"
Meanwhile, other departments
likewise advanced preparations for
meeting wartime emergencies, the
whole problem being canvassed at
a Cabinet meeting yesterday after
noon, with further details discussed
at conferences of departmental off,
cials throughout the day.
Attorney General Murphy told re-
porters the Justice Department
would open Offices in Puerto Rico,
the Canal Zone and Alaska to be on
the lookout for sabotage and es-
pionage activities. He added that
a similar Office probably would be
established in the Philippines.
Acting Secretary Edison said after
White House conference that the
Navy had the situation well in
hand all the way through for any
kind of emergency that comes up"
The Navy now has a cruiser and
two destroyers in European waters.
TIL problem of maintaining COM
munication systems was one of
those discussed during the day, as
was that of maintaining order in the
financial markets.
Securities and Exchange Commis-
sioner Edward c. Eicher declared
after a White House visit that that
agency is fully prepared to meet
any critical situation.
Wnshinnfon CnfhoIirs