The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-08-17
COMPLETE STORY OF
CONDITIONS IN BERLIN
Correspondent Tells Of Actual
Situation in German Capital
After War Broke Out.
Continued from. First Page)

The ONLY complaint the ambassador
has made has been directed against
other nations than Germany. His
cabIegrams TO Washington, which he
sent via Stockholm, have been inter-
fered with after crossing the German
frontier, and he has made vigorous
representations to Secretary Bryan
because If this
The ambassador is not alone taking
care of his own nationals, but also
those Of Great Britain, France, and
Russia. He has received perfect CO.
operation from the German govern
ment and from the municipality OF
Berlin.
So well has Chief Burgomaster
Wermuth co-operated with the am
nassador and personally aided him
IN securing quarters for those in dis
tress. that Mr.. Gerard visited him in
person last Thursday and officially
thanked him on behalf of the United
states Government
Anti-British Riots.
There has been no mistreatment OF
Americans, with the exception OF the
night Of August 4, when Germans
generally came to a realization that
England, after all. was hostile. That
night there were a number OF serious
ant!-British riots, which caught the
authorities unawares. A number of
Americans who were in the streets
singing with the crowds were mis-
taken for English and were mobbed.
| vas caught in one of the demon
STATIONS. and after being mauled
more or less, was arrested as Brit
tsh spy. The moment word was sent
70 the American embassy, Secreta-
ries Grew and Harvey rushed men
across 30 the foreign office and de-
mended an explanation. Assistant
Foreign Secretary Zimmerman was
dumfounded. He was absolutely
without knowledge of the arrest. He
Immediately called the police, who
released me and apologized profusely
for the mistake.
Assistant Foreign Secretary Zim-
norman also ordered the release OF
II other Americans arrested by mis-
axe, and later, when Ambassador
Gerard interfered in behalf of GER
tain Englishmen who had been ar
"ested, they also were turned loose.
Most of the arrests were largely due
0 the indiscretions of the victims.
me American taken into custody
vas the correspondent of a London
daily which is especially hated by
the Germans. However, everything
has now quieted down and foreigners
are not in the slightest danger SO
long as they remain in the quarters
assigned to them and do not seek
70 pry into military affairs.
There are 5000 Americans in the
city. and all wear pinned to their
breast small American flags. The
scenes at the embassy in the few
days Immediately after the declara-
ton of hostilities were stirring.
Enormous crowds of Americans and
British besieged the building. en-
deavoring to register. Every attache
Of the embassy. assisted by a score
Of volunteers hastily pressed into
service, was put TO work. Lines
were formed extending far down the
street, and the work Of registration
vas hurried as much as possible.
Furnished Special Trains.
Officials from the war office ex-
claimed to Ambassador Gerard that
hey could not aid him in getting his
nationals out OF Germany until the
mobilization was complete. because
# the necessity of the government
Communicating the railroads. But
they promised trains and steamers,
II the warning nations would guar
sntee safe conduct. so soon as the
.IOOPS hdu DCCu NO4lNtgSu 10 luSlE
stations. AS soon as the mobiliza-
ion was completed on Thursday
hey furnished a special train on
which tho first installmeLt of Amer
cans was sent to a neutral port.
They also promised that other spe-
clal trains would be put at the dis
Dosal of the ambassador as soon as
possible.
Now, as 10 how Berlin accepted
l. e.,
re typical of what has happened in
very German city. There has been
70 wild excitement. The wave OF
0atriotism that swept the country
2 fleeing all classes did not result in
anyone deceiving himself as TO the
'errible task confronting the father
and. There were street parades. OF
~oursc, but they were quiet affairs.
and the Emperor in person ad-
dressed some Of the crowds from the
balcony of the palace. The spirit OF
the people is one OF quiet determin-
= ton. The national Colors are
-hown from every flagstaff and from
very house. Men and women alike
wear small flags on their breasts.
The news from the front is mea-
ger. Only the brief bulletins issued
nv the general staff. which refer in
'arse language TO movements and the
Ists Of the verified casualties, are
rublished. Only after names and
esidences are verified are the lists
= those slain published, and this is
aturally a slow procedure. Big -
~rowds hang around the various
public places where the bulletins
are posted. waiting for word from
he front that may mean so much
20 them.
Women in Deep Mourning.
Naturally there is a preponderance
~ women in the streets. But the
Aeart-wrenching development is the
rapid increase OF the women wear
inE deep mourning. Where q week
2 90 bright colors predominated now
hundreds Of the women are in deep
Hack. They are OF all ages, from
he gray-haired hausfrau 10 the
Fraulein Of tender years. AS they
meet they try vainly TO comfort each
ether. while those VINO are still hop
NJ their loved ones are TO be spared
watch them in white faced wonder,
realizing full well that the next
official list may contain the name OF
someone dear 10 them.
II has been suggested that the
women cease wearing mourning as
IN outward symbol of sorrow. Lead
ting Berlin women have taken up
the suggestion and IL is now being
carried out.
The German STAFF is in constant
.uuCh with the front There is no
evidence of encouragement. True,
The resistance OF Belgium had been
underestimated. But the German
army is now in action and the gem
eraI forward movement is declared
"a be in progress along the lines
originally laid down.
No News From Fleet.