The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-12


 
 the departure of the ambassadorial train, now ventured on more and more definite commitments regarding the immediately pending completion of ar engagements.
 SORRY OF MOVE TAKEN
 Had they been in possession of di- rect and authoritative information on the true status of affairs in America, officials declared repeatedly to the As sociated Press correspondent, instead of being forced to depend upon alarm ist press reports of extreme measures taken by the Washington administra- tion, the German government would have been placed in a far different position--far less concerned about the necessity of protecting its own inter- ests in situation which, as it turned cut, had been incorrectly reported. Much of the telegraphed press reports received, they declare, they had not permitted the German press to repub-, fish, fearing the effect upon public opinion, and the first cab1ed advice received by an American correspond ent explaining and clearing up the sit eign office was conveyed to the Ger man newspaper offices with celerity, showing what importance the officials attached to it.
 AMERICANS TREATED WELL
 The Americans In Berlin, and, so far as known, throughout Germany, have during the days of tension following the rupture of diplomatic relations been treated without hostility and even in most cases with marked courtesy. There have been no outbreaks on anti American feeling or mob spirit such as occurred occasionally at the outset of the war against the English and na- tionals of other hostile countries and SASOPI lOi tiic uuCCl ldiHly anu dldF1i regarding eventualities in connection with their plans to depart from Ger many, they have had up to the pres ent little cause for dissatisfaction as their treatment by the German people as a whole.
 STATEMENT REITERATED
 The reiteration of this statement, made repeatedly in dispatches from Berlin before the correspondents de- parture, may be advisable in this dis patch sent shortly after his reaching territory outside of Germany, to re- assure relatives and friends of Amer jeans within the Teutonic empire and to correct any alarming misconcep- tions on the subject which may be circulating in America. American res idents of Germany are, as before, free to move about the country and to fol- low their customary pursuits, subject ed to no hostile acts or causes of con cern beyond delay in granting per- mission to depart from Germany.
 The issuance, in the ordinary way, ot passport vises for departure, through the local police, has been suspended, how ever, and no American passport is good for passing the frontier unless specially stamped by the military authorities
 APPREHENSION AROUSED
 Though the official standpoint is that permission to leave will be granted in due course, and that the government has no present intention of departing from the provisions of the treaty of 1799 or detaining or interning Americans in case of war, the delays in issuing these mili- tary authorizations have produced feel ing of apprehension among those Amer jeans who desire to leave Germany now or in case of an actual breaking out of hostilities. The final attitude of the German government, on the subject of de- tention, undoubtedly will be determined by that of the American government on the same subject and pending the re- ceipt Of definite information. the issuance of permission to Americans to leave Ger many seems to be proceeding with suct deliberation
 The first act of the German author ities after receiving news of the rupture of relations and the reports of the con