Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-04
EERNsT0RFF PREPARING I
TO QUIT UNITED sTRts
lkartbrOkcn That Ysrs OF Ehort to
Preserve Erlcndi Reifions
Collapse In FaiIur;.
MECH ArEECTE, ~ BREAK
Declares He Is On OF Politics For
ever. Now That Us Life Work Has
Failcd-Complc, Suspension or
Business With, Embassy.

BUSINESS WtthtI Embassy.
WASHINGTON. cbruary 3.--Count
J. II. Won Bernston hcart-broken that
his years OF unrditiinE toll TO pre-
serve friendly rctions between the
United states ar Germany had col
lapsed In failurcto might prepared to
l.avc tho couutr, lie told friends that
nothing in his loE career in diplomacy
had affected hirso much as the break
between Ciermiy and tho United
states at this me,
81 don't car what happen: 10 me
now: am oupf politics forever; my
life work hasailed." the amba ssad or
said. with aprrcnt deep emotion soon
after he hadbccn handed his pass
ports by a Ste Department represent
tativc.
Tears WE'LL in his eyes as the am
bassador talid TO the newspaper mon
in tho Rcd pom OF the embassy fol-
lowing ,hc'Statc Department ennis
's-rys visit. His voice was husky and
his speech Altered.
Amba ssa,b Won Bcrns,orT received
his paSspos from the hands Of AS
sistant Solhtor Lester II. Wooisey, of
tho State APARTMENT. With the pass
port. whiclrrovidcd for the recall not
onl: of th.ainhassador. but his family
and suite. he ambassador was handed
;inai nee, which Was practically
duplicate # tho speech the President
delivered before Congress
i:cforc The pass ports were delivered
Tho ambassador and other officials OF
the crnbssy knew that a break was
mnmincn When he received definite
word TIT diplomatic relations had
been brkrn nc Informed Countess
Ecrus,ofI OF ,he news. The Embassy
officials and employees were in me
dia;"iy called into the an,bassa Il or.
ofic" :nd told via, had happc nod.
Tho Immediately began packing up
;hnir PERSONAL effects preparatory 10
i'eir departure. There was complete
Suspension Of business villain the en-
pnssy and tn" clerical forces talked
only Of tho possibilities OF wa- grow
hrs; out.of ,hf diplomatic break Nj
cont"vtoG ui'p tho embassy ~erc APP
rr.i''sivr that "a bigger crisis may
Sp1E conc.
SWISS MINISTER TO TAKE
OVER GERMAN AFFAIRS
Soon nfi,r tho am ha ssador was noii-
'.d of tie break he 81 once got into
communication with DR.. Paul Ritter.
Inc Swiss minister. who viii take owe.
The German diplomatic: affairs in this
country Dr. Ritter called a; the ON
hassy and conferred q, length a.th
Count vo1 Ecrnstorfi concerning the
details ~ the transfer of III" cnb. ssys
affair These details viii pc completed
before Count Won Ecrns,orN calls upon
Secretary Lansing TO hid him good-by
count Won Hcrns,orN declared thai,
n" dH no, know anything ahou, the
ruanror Of his leaving the United states
or how soon ne would d"par,
"Thi. is my first experience" he
Sad, and Will have 20 inform my
scT. am sure therc Mill bo some
way 10 get back 20 nv country. but I
10 no; know how soon this can nc ar
,anrcd"
The amha ssador smiled when i; was
suggested that MANY Americans would
MT object TO his Remaining on ;his size
indennit"ly. ="
Tho bassado- ,radc it plain ~ hi.
callers tina, lac Was not much concerned
IS 10 how nor when h" returned 70
Germany He hae cancc!cd al! but his
personal cnca Gcmcnt2.
Despite tho sadness which tho an
hssSai"r exhibited over tile abrUrt
termination "f his service here. in talks
10 newspaper p.n. he apparently
sough, 10 view IN. situation from an
amusing anal". lie i"culariy sug-
g.s,@I thai, /ih"rc certainly would ID"
s3u,c way/;o &c; home, inasmuch As
so many ships arc kent ~ American
ports. IL viewed With romplacency
tn" Suggestion that 'hc ship employed
III conveying him how. might he sunk.
well. II that should happen IL
matters not {" me, for I am not in the
least concerned as TO what becomes OF
mo now ne said earnestly.
To embassy officials tonight il was
suggested IS one ot the possibilities
that the entente allies might refuse to
issue safe conduct for Amba ssndor
Bcrnstorit and his party. but the en-
hnssy WAS No, in the least apprehcn-
sivc that such an obstacle would arise
- prcvent tho return To Germany. The
sta ter n pa rt,ncnt'i, vas felt, would
fccl obligated TO insure the safe re-
,rrn, M, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. party. and
ambassador. the only mcmfGr Of RiS