New Britain herald., 1917-02-14


 of the man who gave him the letter. His relatives were notified by -ele- phone to come to Hoboken.
 The communication was signed '17rederick Hohenzollern," who claim ed to be "a cousin of Prince Frederick Wilhelm'' The writer sought an in- terview with the ambassador and asked the latter to call upon him ito shoulder gun in the service"
 Preparations at Halifax.
 Collector Malone announced the de- parture of the ship had been de- terred two hours, or until o'clock. No explanation was offered. The Frederick VIII. encountered eleventh hour difficulties in obtaining coal.
 Count and Countess von Bernstorff retired to their cabin immediately upon reaching the ship and the former sent out word that he chad nothing to Sent out word that he had nothing to ing newspaper men and therefore he would excuse him.
 May Never Reach Home.
 Prior to his arrival in Hoboken, however, the former ambassador out lined to a representative of The Asso- ciated Press his personal views re- garding the war in Europe, the pos sibility of the United States being drawn into it and the doubts he held regarding his reaching home safely. You ask me- said Count von Bernstorf in reply to a question, about my trip. Will I get home all right? Well, you never can tell. Of course we will get through the British and French blockade and there should be no danger from our own sub- marines, guess they will know we are coming and will let us alone even if they should happen to see us.
 A"However, whether l get home or not does not make much difference. have had my fun, I have had my play at politics, I have enjoyed myself and I am no longer as young as l once was. The only danger so far as I can see that is attached to this trip is that we may strike mine. You lSifow they float all around the sea, and we may. strike one. You never can tell about that.
 But if we do hit a mine and go down. I am ready to go too. After all what difference will it make? If it has to come it will come, that's all
 ."The future? that is indefinite too. Of course I shall go directly to Berlin as soon as I arrive in Germany. Maybe they will find something for mo ts, do and maybe they won't.
 |.It is quite probable that my official "a reer is finished. I may retire for good. have been turned out by your government for something over which had no control and no blame at taches to me personally.
 "Perhaps this is a good time to step down. However, I am German and ~v place may be changed by the wishes of my government.
 e Expects War.
 In regard to the former ambassa- dor's views on the possibility of the United States entering the war 1t should be expla ined that several times in the days imm ediateely following the severance of diplomatic relations, he indicated his belief that it was only a question of hours before some overt act would bring about hostilities. At one time he asked Do you think I will be able to get out of the country before war is declared?'
 As the days passed. however, and no overt act appeared to have been com mitted, the former ambassador becante more and more optimistic, finally say ing:
 Maybe it is possible that war may be averted. The president is reported in the newspapers as having made it clear that the next time heI went to congress it would not be to ask for war but in connection with protection 10 American shipping. What does tkis mean? To men personally, that could Nean but one thing, namely, the con- voying of ships.'
 And Count von Bernstorff does not believe that ships conveyed would be subject to attack although he feels q great clement of danger is attacbe ed