Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-07
DOUBTED At CAPITAL
WASHINGTON PUTS LITTLE CRED
ENcE IN DISPATCHES AN.
NOUNciNG WHAT MIGHT BE
HELD AS AN "ovERT ACT"
BY JOHN EDWIN NEVINS.
international News Service staff
Correspondent


Washington, Feb. THE Where.
abouts of Ambassador Gerard was Civ.
ing the State Department concern to-
day Newspaper reports that he had
in effect been held as hostage In
Berlin until after Count Won Bern
storff shall depart for home received
credence in certain quarters. But lat
er in the day dispatch from Ambas-
sador Willard in Madrid said he had
received a message direct from Ger
ard, which was dated in Berne, Switz-
erhnd.
For a time officials took the view
that this meant that the Ambassador
had reached neutral territory mas
much as it was known that he intend
ed coming home via Switzerland. Lat
er, however, feeling Of doubt be-
came evidence and finally Secretary
Lansing by direction of President
Wilson, sent special dispatch direct
to the United States, representative at
Berne and to Ambassador Willard
demanding all of the facts as soon as
possible.
ANY official action by Germany to
detain Ambassador Gerard would be
most serious affront TO the United
States. An Ambassador Is the direct
representative of the ruler Of a nation.
And any direct affront to one is con.
sldered the same as an afffeHt to
ruler. Officials very frankly say that
il Ambassador Gerard is held UP his
departure by Germany that the effect
must be serious.
But they also point out that he had
not intended leaving Berlin until az
ter all of the unsettled affairs OF this
government had been placed in neu.
trail hands and that it was possible
that If he still remained in Germany
that he was there of his own volition.
And because OF the pressure upon
the state railways Of Germany it
might take some time for him to get
out inasmuch as he was going via
Switzerland and not by way of Ho,-
land, the nearest route.
That the United States intends to
give no offense to Germany that
would force that nations hand was
shown by the action Of President
Wilson in disavowing thru officials
reports of the seizure OF the German
and Austrian vessels in American
ports. 1t was pointed out that mas
much as the break between this coun.
try and Germany was entirely a diplo
matte one any seizure or interference
with war bound" craft would be a
decided afiront TO Germany and in adj
dition a distinct violation Of interna-
tional law. a Asthis country broke
with Germany for violating interna-
nat.onal law AS this country broke
that il must scrupulously guard its
own acts so that ii could face the
world with "clean hands"
Generally officials are waiting. Ev-
erything possible to protect the inter
ests Of the country is being done and
until the international situation chang
es there is nothing more than can be
done.
Attaches Of the German embassy,
waiting to go home, believe that war
between the two nations is but mat
ter OF waiting for casus belli One
Of these talked very frankly today
concerning the relations of the two
governments.
Believe Gerard Out Of Germany,
Washington, d. c., Feb THAT
/ Ambassador Gerard is already out OF
I Germany was the belief of the State
! Department today upon the receipt Of
cable from Ambassador Willard at
Madrid. This cable, dated yesterday
said he had message from Gerard
dated Berne. Switzerland. He gave
no details, however, nor did he say
upon what day the message was sent
or received by him,
Following fast upon reports that
Germany was holding the American
ambassador as 4 hostage pending in
formation as to the treatment accord
cd Count Won Belnstorff In this coun.
try after he was given his passports,
Wizards message created no little ex.
citement in the department 1t was
admitted that the message was no