The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-12
Alderman Tells How Ameri.
cans Got Away From Berlin.
Prevent Others Leaving as Re-
taliatOry War Measure.
GERARD THREATENED WAR
Defied Govt to Hold American
Correspondents Prisoners.
Tried to Compel Ambassador to
Sign Treaty for Z. s.
BY CARL w. ACKERMAN.

BY CARL w. ACKERMAN-
Berne, via Paris Feb. 12.-Ger-
many is delaying departure of a large
number of American citizens in Berlin
for possible retaliatory measures in
case the United States declares war.
The German foreign office is striv-
ing to keep America out of the war,
but the German military party long
ago prepared for American hostfi1tles
and is only lukewarm in its support of
the efforts of statesmen in the Will
helmstrasse
(This is the first dispatch received
direct from Alderman since he passed
beyond control of the German censor
ship. He is a member of the imme-
date party with Ambassador Gerard-)
Ambassador Gerard began COM
municating at once with President
Wilson at Washington, using code
messages for the first time from
neutral point.
Gerard and his party entered neu-
trail Switzerland triumphantly-in
gala spirit The Americans were de-
liehted to leave the stress and tension
of Berlin for the quiet non-war at
mosphere of Switzerland. Only cham
pagnes could do honor to such a cele-
bration this leaving behind of Ber-
1ir's tension-and champagne was
brought out.
Met by q. S. Minister.
In this the Americans toasted
Switzerland and her hospitality as they
crossed the border from Germany
into Swiss territory.
Arriving at Schafhausen, the first
Swiss city after leaving German terri
tory, the special train was met by
American Minister Stovall and Colonel
Bruegge and Major Swirep, the latter
two officers representing the Swiss
government
They babe Gerard and his fellow
Americans welcome to Switzerland
1r11
to the party.
Gerard remained several hours IN
| Zurich when the city was reached
later in the day and then departed
with his staff to Berne.
Gerard's code messages today car
ried details of Germanys threat to
hold American newspaper correspond
, entS in Germany hostages unless
the American ambassador would sign
treaty practically guaranteeing in
case of war that German ships now in
American harbors woald be permitted
to leave.
Gerard sStood Pat"
switzerland is granting the Ameri-
cans every courtesy and hospitality A
Swiss government official, Major
lftare. is stationed here at Berne with
Instructions to grant all possible aid
to Gerard and his party.
Practically Il demand was made
upon Ambassador Gerard before he
left Berlin to sign a treaty. in effect
guaranteeing permission for German
ships to leave American harbors in
case of war. this ultimatum being
backed up with the threat to hold
American correspondents as hostages
II such action were not taken.
Gerard, it is reliably reported, told
the German official who brought this
threat that if Americans were forced
+ to remain in Germany America would
regard such action as a cause for war.
He refused to sign.
1t is now possible to tell from this
neutral point the full circumstances
connected with Count Montgelass
conference with Gerard
1t was on Monday that he first
| broached the subject of treaty to be
signed by the American Ambassador
Gerard promptly refused.
Then Montgelas warned him if Ger
niany's proposal was not accepted it
would be difficult for Americans to
leave Berlin. Gerard continued firm
in his refusal
On the Wednesday succeeding this
Monday conference, the passports of
american correspondents were taken
up by the foreign office, ostensibly for
wise, IN order that they might ac-
company Gerard on the special train
10 De provided by the German govern
ment for the American diplomat and
his staff.
Take Away>Passports.
1t was later that the correspondents
heard that Germany intended to hold
them as hostages for the sa fetv of Ger
man ships in American harbors
AFTER his first talk with Gerard,
Count Montgelas returned again to the
embassy and continued to urge the
signing of a treaty
Gerard persisted in his refusaI-and
even declined to communicate the
German proposal to Washington un-
less he was permitted confidential
communication presumably in
code)- Count Montgelas refused this
permission
Detailing some of these matters to
Berne newspaper correspondents here
today, whom he received in a BODY,
Gerard remarked:
Il told Montge1as I would sit there
IN Berlin until kingdom come and not
leave until all Americans were per-
mitted free exit from Germany
II was apparently after these fruit
less interviews with the unyieIding
American ambassador that German
police took up American passports of
American correspondents, financiers
Red Cross workers and plain citizens.
These Americans came to Gerard and
told him unless he asked the foreign
office to allow them to depart on the
embassy train, they would be forced
to remain for probably months
Gerard promptly communicated
with Count Montgelas, but the CORE
! spondents and other Americans did
not receive their passports until Just