The Washington herald., 1914-08-30
TELLS MIR. BRYAN
OF GERARDsAID
Spring-Rice Is Grateful for
Work Of Envoy to
Berlin.
SAVED BRITISH SUBJECTS
Foreign Office Instructs Ambassador
to Convey Thanks of Government
Through State Department

D
One OF the most Interesting documents
that have appeared IN the food OF diplo-
matte interchanges since the war began
was made public at the British Embassy
yesterday. II was a letter from Sir
Cecil Spring Rice, the British Ambassa-
dor at Washington. expressing the warm
Appreciation OF his government for The
ServicesS rendered by James w. Gerard,
| the American Ambassador ut Berlin, In
the interest Of British subjects since the
war began The letter refers to the
great assistance of a personal nature
rendered the British Embassy by the
United States Ambassador and his stan.
One of the features Of this great as
| Blstance was the remarkable celebrity with
which Ambassador Gerard performed his
office as CONSERVATION OF the Interests OF
Great Britain and British citizens follow
1 Ing the declaration OF war and the with
drawal Of Sir Edward Goschen- One Of
Ambassador Gerard's favors to the Brit
fish, II Is understood, was the registering
OF a protest against the confinement 0f
British nationals in the ancient German
| fortress OF Spandau. Ambassador Gerard,
! according 70 information received through
British channels, told the German foreign
ONCE that such treatment of non-com-
Blatant subjects Of an enemy power
smacked too strongly Of the fourteenth
century to be fitting to the twentieth. Mr..
Gerard had. Of course. been officially des-
ignated TO look out for Great Britain's IN
terests in Germany.
In the course OF the disturbances IN
Berlin. Ambassador Gerard, IL is said.
driving through one OF the city streets.
saw a wretched Britisher being roughly
handled by a German crowd. Running
his vehicle to the curb, Ambassador Ger
ard took the Britisher in his car and
under his protection.
Not the least of Mr.. Gerard's favors 10
the British government was his gallant
guardianship of the archives OF the Brit
ish Embassy. when Berlin crowds are
said TO have been threatening violence.
The full text OF the British Ambassador S
letter Is as follows:
British Embassy.
Washington, Aug. .. 1914
"Sir-A report by Sir Edward Goschen
! lately his majestys Ambassador al
! Berlin. on events at Berlin which took
place both before and after the out
break OF war between Great Britain and
| Germany has been laid before Parlia-
ment and, as you have doubtless noticed
1 has appeared recently in the American
press. 1t contains a cordial recognition
! of the great assistance OF a personal
nature rendered TO the British Embassy
! by the United States Ambassador and
! his staff Mr. Gerard repeatedly Wis
| tied the embassy Of his own accord
undeterred by the very hostile attitude
| Of the crowd. and. often at considerable
personal risk TO himself. extrfcated
| many British subjects from dificult sit
uations.
1T IL a pleasure to me to inform YOU
! that have. received Sir Edward Grey $
| instructions TO request that the warm
thanks Of hiNmajesty's government may
| be conveyed 70 Mr.. Gerard for his great
personal devotion and energy under these
trying circumstances and I beg you 70
| be so good as to cause this appreciation
| of his kindly action TO be conveyed to
! Mr.. Gerard. to whom as well as TO his
! stan. his majesty's government feel they
/ are under a deep obligation.
81 have the honor TO be, with the high
! est. consideration, sir, Your most
| obedient, humble servant.
| CECIL SPRING-RICE,
The Honorable William J. Bryan
/ Secretary Of State"