Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-02-15
BERNSTORFF BIDS
!. 5. FAREWELL
Trusts War between This Coun.
try and Germany May
Be Averted.
THANKFUL FOR KINDNESS.
HctirinR Ambassador Declares That
He Never Lied ID a Newspaper Man
While In Washington.

Washington. Feb 1S-In u farewell
statement before leaving tonight for
New York to sail for homo Count Won
Bernstorf expressed the hope that war
between the United States and Germany
might be averted and that friendly rcia-
tions might soon be re-estabished. The
former German ambassador said to a
group or newspaper correspondents gath
cred at his house:
I'm leaving the United States after a
stay or eight years. I wish to extend to
my many personal friends my heartfelt
thanks for the great kindness and cor.
dial hospitality they have shown me.
MY heart Is full of gratitude to those
whose personal feelings never wavered
during the trying years of the war. In
the last days l have received so many
cordial farewell messages that 1t was i'm
possible to send thanks for them indi-
vidually.
Countess Won Bernstorff joins me in
this expression of our deepest personal
gratitude.
II hope that war may be avcrted and
that the old friendly relations between
the United States and Germany may soon
be restored"
The former ambassador. together with
his wife and his suite. left Washington
late tonight in a special train placed at
their disposal by the state department
and guarded by United States secret
service men.
All of to-day-his last day in Washing
ton-the former ambassador remained
within the embassy building, saying
goodbye to many personal friends and
reading letters of farewell from out Of
town friends and from officials and diplo-
mats in Washington.
In the afternoon the Swiss minister.
DR.. Ritter. formally took charge Of the
embassy and it's archives. To the
newspaper correspondents Count Won
Bernstorff denied emphatically reports
that he had talked to various persons
on the subject of peace since the break
between the United States and Ger
many.
Il have not talked peace with any
one since the break came" he said.
ANY statement to the contrary is pure
fiction. You can believe me when
say this. I have never lied to a news
paper correspondent since I have been
in Washington"
After dinner at the embassy. pack
ing was completed and Count Won
Countess Won Bernstorff were driven.
near midnight, to the station. where
New York, Feb. 13.-Elaborate precau-
tions have been taken by federal and
municipal authorities to insure the safe
departure of Count Won Bernstorff, Ger
man ambassador, and the 1i9 members OF
the embassy staff. from this port to-mor-
RDw on the steamship Frederik WILL
The liner. the pier and the route along
which the ambassador will travel after he
leaves the train from Washington,
all were under special guard tonight
Dudley Field Malone, collector Of the
port. slept aboard the Frederik VIII hav-
ing given instructions to be called II there
is any violation Of the rigid orders put in
force regarding the approaches to the
liner.
Harbor police launches patrolled the
river tonight in proximity to the steam
ship. keeping close watch on the vessels
rudder should an attempt be made to
disable the steering apparatus or in any
other way inflct injury that might delay
sailing. barricade was constructed on
the pier to hold back curious crowds. No
person will be permitted to go beyond
this barrier other than passengers, Of
ficers and crew.
Arrangements have been made to bring
the ambassadors train to within a block
and half of the pier.
Taxicabs will take the official party to
the steamship which will be guarded by
secret service men, the neutrality squad
and 200 policemen.
Revenue cutters and police launches will
accompany the steamship out of the har-
Dor, it was stated. and a torpedo boat
destroyer may escort the vessel to tho
three mile limit