Evening star., 1916-10-10
GERARD BACK HOME,
BUT WILL NOT TALK
Refuses to Deny or Confirm
Rumor He Bears Peace
Proposals.
WELCOME BY COMMITTEE

| NEW YORK, October 10.-James w.
Gerard. American ambassador to Ger
, many, upon his arrival here today de-
| clned either to affirm or deny pub
| lished reports that he was returning to
on behalf of the Emperor of Germany.
Mr.. Gerard's attention was called to a
story which appeared this morning iii
| the New York World to the effect that
his errand was to inform the admins
tration that renewal of submarine ac-
tivity is being considered by Germany
in manner which might threaten Ger
man-American relations. Mr. Gerard,
after quickly glancing through this
story, said:
you don't see me quoted anywhere in
| it. do you?"
! To questions put to the ambassador
| by reporters who met him at quaran-
| tine he replied:
| "It is useless to question me, boys;
I cannot say word.
| "The length of my stay here is not
yet determined, neither have I made
any plans he added. Il expect to go
to Washington. but when I do not
IL.
Committee Welcomes Mr.. Gerard.
The Scandinavia-Amer liner
Frederik VIII, on which Mr. Gerard ar
rived. was met at quarantine by a
municipal police boat, the Patrol, on
which was Mayor Mitchers reception
committee, headed by Oscar Straus,
! chairman of the public service commits
! sion. Mrs. Gerard. who accompanied
the ambassador, was presented with a
| large bouquet of American beauty
roses as she came aboard the Patrol.
| She will go to Montana to visit her
| mother.
Mrs Gerard has been credited with
! taking leading part in war relief in
Germany Asked as to this work she
| disclaimed any personal credit. saying
that all American women in Germany
i have done magnificent work" Mr.
Gerard said in response to a question
/ that there are about 5000 Americans in
Germany at this time of whom about
| 700 are in Berlin.
The mayors committee greeted the
! returning ambassador on the Frederik
VIII before the party went aboard the
Patrol. On the way up the harbor, and
| as the Patrol came into dock, ships and
| tugs IN the river greeted it with toot-
ing OF whistles. reception to the
| ambassador was held in the city hall
| later.
| In the presence of the mayors COM
mittee and Mrs. Gerard Mr.. Straus ex-
pressed TO the bassador the coun-
try's gratitude and high appreciation
for the ma gnificent services you have
rendered for your country in the capi-
tfal of the German empire" Mr.. Straus,
himself once an American ambassador
to a foreign country, Turkey, sketched
Mr.. Gerards services since August,
| 1914, and asserted that he had "sus-
| tanned the highest measure of American
| diplomacy and performed mis- duties
! 'in spirit of impartiality and neu-
| trality with ability, wisdom and un-
| failing tact"
| Mr.. Gerard, in expressing appreci-
alton of the reception, gave credit to
| the embassy staff in Berlin.
Tor See President Next Week.
| LONG BRANCH. N j., October 10
James W. Gerard, American ambassa-
| dor to Germany, who arrived in New
York today from Germany, is not ex-
/ pected to see President Wilson until
| next week. Ii was stated authorita-
| lively here that Mr.. Gerard does not
come on any peace mission and that
| his trip has no connection with subma-
| rine warfare, but that he is simply on
| a vacation.