The Washington times., 1917-02-13
Secret aaryice Men and Two
Officials 3 Accompany
Party to New York.
FRIENDS CALL TO SAY ADIEU
Former German Envoy Depress-
ed at Departure, After Long
Service Here.

Accompanied by a score Of Secret
Service agents and two officials OF
the State Department. Count II. Won
Bernstorff, former German ambassa-
dor. will leave Washington shortly
after midnight, thus completing the
break in diplomatic relations between
his government and this country.
The State Department officials des-
iEnated to accompany Count Won
Bernstorff are Breckenridge Long.
Third Assistant Secretary, and Barney
B. Robin, secretary of embassy as
signed to the division of Latin Amer
lean affairs at the department.
VIII See Party ON.
These officials and the secret ser
vice agents will remain with Count
Won Bernstorf and his party from the
time they board the special train
leaving Union Station at 1915 o'clock
until the captain of the Scandinavian
liner Frederick VIII sings olt. "Arl
ashore" tomorrow. On this vessel the
former ambassador and his party will
return to Germany.
All the details for Count Won Bern
storhs departure were completed to-
day. This afternoon he and the mem
bers of his party packed the suit
cases they will carry in their hands
Late today the former ambassador
and his stan will sing Aud Lang
Syne" with a small group OF intimate
friends and dine at a local hotel
Although q final farewell party was
held at the German embassy build
ing, on Massachusetts, avenue. yes
terday, a stream of friends Of the
former ambassador and other officials
1a.l n.1g-
the visitors today were many who
said good-by to Count Won Bernstord
yesterday. but who wished to repeat
their Nbon voyage"
Embassy Building DIsnantIed.
Today the German embassy build
ing was dismantled OF all the per-
sonal, intimate, artistic touches which
made 1t q home for Count Won Bern
storff. II 10 now a mere office, with
shelves filled with books and desks
containing official documents and
other parapbernalia used by diplo-
mats
This afternoon Count Won Bern
storn will turn the embassy building
over to DR.. Paul Ritter. the Swiss
minister. who will look after Ger
Inany's interests in Washington while
and the central power are severed.
Flowers for the Countess.
While friends of Count Won Bern
storf busted themselves today writ
ing steamer letters. to be delivered to
him after the Frederick VIII is well
outside the port of New York, many
acquaintances OF Countess Won Bern
storff sent bouquets Of flowers to her.
Attached to them were personal notes
of regret over the departure Of the
countess and her husband.
ParadoxicaI as it may seem. il is
true that while perhaps no nation has
so angered the American people as
Washington with more numerous or
regretful friends than Count Won
BernstorT.
Made Host of Friends.
By force of his charming per.
sonality, his never-faiIing courtesy
and refinement, his interest and sym.
pathy in the things that interested
his friends, his love OF the arts, his
wit, social distinction and savoir-faire,
he endeared himself to a host of
Washington men and women both in
and out OF official circles.
While all Washingtonians stand
with President Wilson in the sever.
ance of diplomatic relations with
Germany, many are grieved over the
thought that the popular and accom-
plished ambassador. lionized by so
ciety here for eight years, was the
victim Of his governments shattered
pledges.
HORored by Society.
Practically alone in Washington
for more than two years, while
Countess Won Bernstorff was engaged
IN Red Cross work in Germany, tht
ambassador was feted, dined, and
Ehovered with other social honors by
hts friends Since the return OF
Countess Won Bernstorh the social
affairs given IN their honor have been
even more elaborate and enjoyable.
And in turn Count Won Bernstorf