File No. 763.72/94
The Ambassador in France (Herrick) to the Secretary of State
Paris, August 4, 1914, 2 a.m.
[Received 9 a.m.]
[Telegram]
Martial law proclaimed in France yesterday, Chamber convoked for to-morrow. I received keys of German Embassy and took charge of German subjects and German interests this evening with approval of French Government. German Ambassador left Paris to-night. Rumors of sporadic raids by French aeronauts in German territory and violation of Belgian neutrality by Germans. Four trains a day still running to Dieppe and two steamers to New-haven; expect many Americans to leave for England by this route to-morrow. Financial situation difficult. No payments made on letters of credit or traveler’s checks. Moratorium decrees that banks may decline payment to depositors of more than 5 per cent of their accounts.