New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-17
HIS STATEMENT
EXPECTED SOON
Failure Fully TO Refute
Charges Will End
His Usefulness.
DIPLOMATS ON GUARD
Allies Representatives Will Ban
Safe Conducts if Hoax Is
Not Disproved.

Not Disproved.
From The Tribune Bureau.
/ Washington, June 16.-The Trib-
une's revelation that "Dr. A. Meyer
/ Gerhard" Ambassador Won Bern
storff's peace messenger to the
Kaiser, is really DR.. Alfred Meyer,
of the German War Office, did fax
more than merely cause a sensation
in Washington. 1t caused the State
Department to take steps to get a
disavowal from the German Am
bassador, set diplomatic representa-
tives OF, the Allies to comforting,
and brought to light facts further
supporting the published story.
No further action will be taken
by the administration until the
German Ambassador has had an
opportunity to clear himself Of
what is regarded as the most
fragrant breach of diplomatic eti-
quette committed here in maly
years.
The one man, however, who could
clear up the whole situation was
missing from Washington. This
was Count Won ,Bernstorff, and all
efforts to locate him at the embassy
or to find out where he had gone
proved unavailing. Employees at
the embassy said he was in the
country, probably in Virginia, and
they did not know when he would
return.
A reasonable time will be given
to Count Won Bernstorf to disavow
the statement that DR.. A. Meyer
Gerhard, the Red Cross lecturer,
and DR.. Alfred Meyer, Of the Ger
man War Office, were one and the
same man. If this is not explained
the story as published in The Trib-
une will be called to the German
Ambassadors attention. Just what
the next step will be no one in au-
thority would say, but if the state
ments are not disproved it is De-
lieved Count Won Bernstorff's use
fulness in this country will quickly
end.
Diplomats Deeply Interested.
Diplomats of the Allies were intense
" interested in the publication in The
Tribune of the account of the Gerhard
Never hoax on the State Department.
The view was generally taken that the
United States government, by its as
surances to the embassies of the Allies
had obtained what practically amount
ed to a safe conduct-though none was
officially given-for a German spy.
A conference was held by several
diplomats representing the Allies at
which the statements made in The Trio-
une were carefully considered. Belief
that the man who sailed as Meyer-Ger-
hard and Meyer were the same, was
strengthened by telegram from New
York saying the steamship company
declared that Gerhard had sailed alone.
Unless the Gerhard-Meyer mix-up is
straightened out to the entire satisfac-
ton of representatives of the Allies
here, it is stated on high authority at
one of the embassies, no further atteh-
ton will be paid to any guarantee OF
innocence of travellers or to requests
for safe conducts by the government OF
the United States.
No hint is given that anything wrong
was done in the Gerhard matter by the
then Secretary Of State, Mr.. Bryan or
by any one else in the employ Of the
but the view is taken that
II the State Department was hoaxed
into permitting a German spy to obtain
safe passage to Germany, representa-
tives Of the Allies will not be justified
in placing any confidence in any rep |
or requests Of this kind
which the United States may make
hereafter.
Here to Purchase Arms.
The greatest Importance is attached to
the revelations made in The Tribune. 1t
was declared by one diplomat of the Al
lies that II was known that DR.. Meyer
had been in this country purchasing, or
attempting to purchase, arms and am !
munition for Germany, and also trying
10 purchase control of certain arms
companies. 80,
"Where has this man Meyer gone z
asked one Of the diplomats to-day. We
know he was here. When did he sail,
il at all? We have been trying to keep
a close watch, but we know nothing OF
his going home unless he went under J
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