The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-09
SCan't Believe Germany Did It,"
Says Secretary Lansing.
RELEASE AMERICAN EMBASSY
Leaves Berlin by Special Train
for Berne, Saturday.
Germany Gets Notice of Sale
Conduct for BernstOrff.
BY CARL w. ACKERMAN.

Washington, Feb. 9.-The state de-
partment has asked Germany why de-
parture of Ambassador Gerard from
Berlin was delayed.
This action was taken thru the
Swiss minister. Secretary Lansing eA-
pressed himself as doubtful II Ter
MANY Intentionally held Gerard
While a press dispatch today said
Gerard would leave Saturday, the de-
Dartment has not been notified OF TINS
officially.
Il am very loath to believe that the
German government is intenuoilallS
OBTAINING Mr.. Gerard in Berlin on any
excuse whatsoever" Secretary Lam
sing said today
He explained he had heard nothing
today from Berlin, and repeated pre-
vious!y known information that the
exported detention of Gerard had
come to the departments attention
via Copenhagen.
Lansing suggested Gerard may have
hen DELAYED by the volume of work
in communicating with consuls-
Gerard can file plain messages up
until the time of his departure. tho ne
fas not been able to file code mes
saces since February D.
Eerilu, FEB. ALL pISpelI dtA'i4', 80
5eparture from Berlin of American
Ambassador Gerard. his staff, Amerl-
can Red Cross officials and consular
officials were completed today.
A special train. in two sections, VIII
probably leave Berlin tomorrow (Sat-
urCay) for Berne. On that same oay
tLe Spanish ambassador in Berlin Will
formally begin representation or
american interests in Germany.
Arrangements for this last step in
the severance of diplomatic relatlons
between America and Germany were
made at a conference which Gerard
ltCid Thursday afternoon with Count
MontEelas of the imperial foreign OF
ice. 1t was then that the American
vas formally told that he could de-
part Prior to this Gerard had re-
ceived word thru the writer that the
German government would have pass
ports ready in tine for departure Sat
iuGay ard had instructed his staff TO
l,re pare to leave on that date.
In talking with Count MontSelas,
Gerard obtained permission for certain
rewspa per correspondents in Berlin to
depart with him on the first section of
The train. The second section. it was
announced. will carry American con-
suls and Red Cross officials.
The governments announcement
that passports would he ready for
Gerard came after its receipt of in
formation from America that Count
Won Bernstorff had been furnished
with safe conducts from allied gov
ernments.
Holland Wants No Visitors.
The Hague, Feb. 9.-Maurice NJ.
Langhorne, the American charge daft
flares here. has telegraphed former
Ambassador Gerard at Berlin asking
him to divert as many Americans de-
parting from Germany as possible to
Denmark or Switzerland, owing to
the restricted accommodations, food
difficulties, high cost of living and
the absence of shipping facilities in
Holland.
Got Start of Ncutrals in Advance.
Amsterdam, Feb. Germany was
satisfied it is said, that the European
neutrals would not take action of a
radical nature against her because of
the launching of her new submarine
campaign. according to a statement
attributed by the Vossische Zeitung of
Berlin to Count Tisza, the Hunga rian
premier.
Premier Tisza, says the newspaper
told his followers that before Germany
announced her ruthless submarine
campaign the Central Powers sound
ed the European neutrals and salts
fled themselves that these neutrals
would undertake no warlike action
against the Central Powers.
Drop Comments on L. S.
Berlin, Feb. S.-The United States
was virtually without mention in the
editorial discussions of the Berlin
newspapers today. the leading writer's
devoting their attention to a variety
of subjects not related to America or
the existing situation. The newspa-
per columns, however. are still full
of dispatches from all sorts of sources
purporting to describe events in the
United States.
The following Americans registered
at the United Press office in Berlin
today as to their future plans:
Remaining in Germany
Mrs. Alice Rertze. Savannah Ga
Arthur E. Denning, Bath, Maine
NJ Shaevitch, New York
MAX Frick and family. New York
Mrs Anna Ingold, Chicago
Mrs. John Murphy and daughter. Mar
gerie, of Chicago. -'-"i
Going Home (ROute Unspecified)
DR.. Albert II. Roller Chicago.
Dr. c. o. Luginbeihl. Chicago
Carl Lueteka, Austin. Texas
Going to Switzerland
DR.. Marodil, Milwaukee,
Going to Copenhagen.
Carl Berg and family. New York.
Big Storm Due on Coast.
Washington. Feb. 9.-Another cold