The Washington herald., 1917-02-11
GERARD LEAVES
GERMAN CAPITAL
Quits Berlin for Switzerland.
Financial Aid Offered to
Stranded Americans.
,By the Intern.tlo..l new. service.

,By the lnternatioaal News Service.
Berlin. Feb. 1o-4 .. m.) Unless un-
foreseen events overthrow present planz
in the eleventh hour. Mr.. and Mrs. James
w. Gerard and zo2 Americans will pull
out of Berlin in q special train within
less than four hours and at dawn on
Sunday win be on neutral Swiss soil.
well on the way to Zurich, whence they
win proceed to Spain for the next boat
homeward bound.
On the eve of his departure the former
American Ambassador made a brie1
statement. announcing that he would
give no Interview of any kind to any
person until he had reported in person
to President Wilson. His statement was
made to warn the world that anything
he win be quoted as saying between
now and the time he meets the Presiden.
in Washington will be ippented.
Late tonight. intimatfon came from
responsible and well-informed quarter
that when the former Ambassador
reaches Switzerland, he will use the first
opportunity since the diplomatic break
to send confidential message to Wash
ington. The correspondents informant
strongly limited that in that MESA ge
might be included tangible suggestions
to the American government to the end
OF averting war between the two
countries.
Possible to Avert War.
The belief that 1t is yet possible for
Germany and the United States to es-
tablish common meeting ground on
Which-to bring about measures that will
fully safeguard American ships and
lives. without impairing the efficiency
Of the U-boat weapon, is held in W. le
circles here even tonight when the Is II
semolance Of Official connection betwe n
the two governments Is about to vanish
in the person of Mr.. Gerard.
Reports that pacific negotiations are
contemplated viii not down.
A joyful surprise came yesterday ia
scores OF Americans who as a result OF
the diplomatic break found themselves
face to face with the prospect of being
stranded In country that may sooner
or later be at war with theirs. Mr.. and
Mrs. Gerard and Mrs. and Mrs. Jacques
Mayer, OF New York. made It known that
iack OF funds will not stand in the way
OF these Americans returning to the
United States. They offered to assist
financially all those desirous Of return
ing but lacking funds.
At IL O'Clock this morning a little army
OF Americans assembled at the railroad
station and for several hours the for
maiities of baggage inspection were gone
through This was arranged so as 70
-pIsEent delay at the border. Every pos
sible courtesy was shown the Americans
by the customs officials. The pieces OF
baggage mounted into the thousands
lost OF the Americans are taking with
them. the bulk of their belongings
The route via Singer to Zurich was de-
cided upon in preference to that to Ba sci
since It Is shorter.
II is only fair to record the painstaking
tact and courtesy shown Americans every
where in Berlin Among all Germans
ltlsh and low, there appears to exist a
gentlemen's agreement to avoid even
the slightest hint Of hostile sentiment
There are stin many Americans here
who have been unable thus far to OBJ
tain permission to leave, but no difficulty
is expected The authorities are strictly
enforcing the fortnight rule" stipulat-
ing that two weeks must elapse in which
applications for leave are investigated
Sweden. it was learned today. has taken
over German interests in Russia and
Egypt Holland Is acting for British af-
friEs in Germany. and Spain Is repre-
senting Japanese. Rumanian and Serbian
interests IN Germany. in addition to TAX
ing over the business of the American
embassy.