Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-08
WORD FROM GERARD
EAGERLY AWAITED.
State Department Deeply Per-
picked Over Whereabouts of
American Ambassador.
HEAR HE is HELD AS HOSTAGE
II Ills Departure Is Forcibly De-
iayed. Officials Say Effect
Will Be Serious.

WASHINGTON. February Tb.
state department. to-niSh, WAS deeply
porplcxcd over tho whcrcabouts Of Am
oassador Gerard. Contradictory cable.
grams left grave doubts in the minds
OF o''icia!S as 10 whether tho American
diplomat s,!ll is in Berlin. or has
Teacncd some point III neutral territory.
The department has -cc.ivcd no direct
word from the ambassador since sun
day
Ambassador Gerard cabled the de-
par,ment from Berlin oil February 4.
asking for, instructions AS TO the dis.
position Of his staff Beforc tho mss
sage reached tho department.. Secretary
Lansing had started on it's way to Bcr-
lin mes.ag" giving instructions af-
fectinS the staff.
Much anxiety Was caused at tho de-
partment by reports that Mr. Gerard
wss being detained in Berlin as a hos
tas", and probably would be SO held
until Coun; von Eernstorn departs for
Germany. The department hurriedly
took steps 10 ascertain the reasons for
tho envoy's detention
A cablcgran uas received later in
the day from Ambassador willard at
Madrid, stating he had received "A mes
sage from Gerard apparently dated at
Bern. Switzerland.
CABLEGRAM FROM WILLARD
ADDS TO MYSTERY
The department was left in guam
dsyy as TO its meaning.
For a time they believed that Gerard
may have reached neutral soil. as he
intended coming home by way Of
Switzerland. They were inclined 10 the
view however ihat Mr.. Gerard would
have reported his arrival III Bern d-
rect 10 the state Department. Il Was
thought possible hc may have sent
one of tho secretaries of the embassy
ahead OF him TO Bern with instructions
TO communicate with An!ba ssador Will
lard.
In the speculation that followed the
receipt of the Willard dispatch. ii was
suggested that Gerard may have
countcrcd some difficulty IN arranS-
ing for his departure from Berlin. ann
had sought TO get in quick touch with
Willard IN a message rclayeh through
some OF the higher officials. because Of
tho fact that tho Spanish government
has taken over Anicrican interests in
Berlin since diplomatic relations were
severed. and Madrid wouii he telicd
uron to smooth ou; any obstacles
Gerard ray cncou ,,-r in getting oui
Of t;crman:.
in the miis; OF al these doubts and
,T n
sing. nv direction OF President wilson
finally sent special dispatch direct
to Ambass. dor Stoval at Fern. and
Ambassador Willard, at Madrid, de-
handing all tho facts as soon as posi-
bic. Responses from Madrid and Fern
were expected 10 reach here not later
than noon tomorrow. allowing Tor
slight delays in transmission.
Any ACTION BY GERMANY
WOULD HAVE SERIOUS EFFECT
officials tonight did not try TO mini
n,ize the seriousness of any official &C
tion by Germany in OBTAINING Mr.
Gerard. Officials made il plain that II
he is held UP in his departure. the ct-
feet must be serious
From European sources outside OF
Germany the government has learned
that the German government actually
did consider Mr.. Gerard practically as
a hostage until il received advices from
Washington detailing the arrange
mcnts mKde for the safe departure OF
Count Won BernstorT.
1t was disclosed to-day that on Mon
day the State Department sent long
dispatch gi ing the plans worked out
for the safe departure OF the former
German ambassador and his suite
Any plans German officials might have
entertained to restrain the departure
of Mr.. Gerard were then dropped:
The German governments action is
believed to have been more in the ma
of Count Won Bc-nstorR through the
allied blockade rather than any step
against Mr. Gerard or the United
States.
BERNSTORFF AND FAMILY
ARRANGE TO SAIL
Count Won EcrnstorT and his official
family have completed all arrange
ments TO sail from New York on Feb
"nary Is, aboard the Frederick VIII.
Attaches. clerks and servants have
pa cfcd AL their personal effects. and
ever! tains movable in the embassy
quarters. except fixtures, have been
hoXcI for Shipment. The German en-
voy tonight declared that he had re-
ceiIed no official word from Berlin
,nat the Emperor had awarded him
the iron Cross with white ribbon, as
reported IN press dispatches.
Minister Ritter. OF Switzerland, today
was instructed by his government to
take over German diplomatic interests
in tho United States, including the GeI :
man embassy here and twelve con-
sulatcs.
The minister informed the State De-
rartment Of his governments action
in note.
Swiss legation officials will move
into the German embassy building
when Count Won Bernstorff and his
staff depart.
Instructions have been sent TO Swiss
consuls 10 take over the German con-
sulates in the following cities: At
ianta, New Orleans. Chicago. Cincin-