Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-02-05
BERNSTORFF SORRY
THAT BREAK COMES
German Ambassador Says He
Never Expected Anything
ELSE Except Rupture.
HE\ SHOWS DEEP FEELING

W Washington reo' HAVING
ceivet passports for himself, his fam
lily al his suite, together with a note
expla, hing why President Wilson has
sever,H diplomatic relations between
the ttnited States and Germany,
Count iPernstorff Saturday was wait
ing for his departure to be arranged
BY the Swiss minister.
The m mister. DR.. Paul Ritter, has
cabled Rcrne for formal authority to
take over tGermany's affairs here and
when it Isl received he will call on
Secretary Lansing and arrange de-
tails.
TarnowsEki Sees No Callers.
Count Tar. howski, the new ambas-
sador from Altstria-Hungary, who has
not yet presented his credentials to
President WilsoiV, denied himself to
callers today, and official confirmation
OF reports that h Us government had
'aken action similar to that OF Ger
my was not obta Unable at the em-
bass,. 1t is taken } for granted that
when sue, action is taken relations
will be brokeN~tly' the Vienna gov
1t is still uncertain what action will
be taken by Turkey.
The German ambassador last Off
III 10, ,, he an event.
ful one. His friends noticed that
while he retained all his customary
courtesy and tried his best to appear
pleasant, actually he was deeply af-
fected and gravely apprehensive at the
prospect OF the future.
The ambassador arose this morning
with the feeling that before the day
was over his diplomatic connection
with the United States would end
Shortly after 10 o'clock he received a
correspondent of The Associated
Press in his study. The ambassador
was busy signing checks for personal
bills. He swung around in the chair
at his desk.
WELL" he said, smiling and offer
ing his hand, what do you hear this
morningi Am | going to be turned
out! No information? Well, ! have
none either. haven't heard a word"
As the talk drifted to prospects Of
peace and the ambassador expressing
the personal opinion that it was not
improbable, even if relations were
broken off, that the United States
might continue efforts in that dircc-
tion. a telephone bell tinkled. The
ambassador picked up the receiver,
smiling. He was quiet a moment,
then the expression on his face
changed.
No Comment to Make.
"You say relations have been
broken and the president is going to
congress? Are you sures Well, may
be that's so. No, have no comment
to make and nothing to say. II that
IS true, am a private citizen again
The ambassador turned to the cor
respondent and asked that verification
of the report he had heard be OBJ
tanned. This was done and the am
bassador quickly walked into the next
room to carry the news to Countess
Won Bernstorff.
When he came back into his study
his eyes were moist and he said:
so it really is true. I'm so sorry.
However, as you know. ] expected it,
| never expected anything else. There
was nothing left for the United States
to do. ! wonder how | am going to
get home?
II suppose will get my passports
any time now. But certainly am not
surprised at the action that has been
taken. My people in Berlin will not
be surprised either. They knew what
was coming when they declared unre-
stricted submarine warfare.
However, | have simply been here
to carry out the orders of my govern
ment and | have done so. have not
had any communications from my
government for the last day or so and
now | suppose ! will be unable to
communicate with them at all since
the use Of my code probably will not
be allowed and ! could not send mes
sages in plain language"
Sees Newspaper Men.
Ii was nearly 2 o'clock when As
sistant Solicitor Woolsey Of the State
department arrived at the embassy
with the ambassadors passports and
the note from Secretary Lansing. Mr.
Woolsey was taken to the embassy
study He delivered the documents
and left Immediately. A group OF
newspaper correspondents then went
into the study.
The ambassador, as is his custom
sat down under the portrait OF his
emperor and opened the conversation
by saying:
81 am very glad to see all you gen.
tlemen, but what interests can you
have in me? am private citizen
again"
"Have you received your passports
Mr.. Ambassador was asked.
"Yes," he replied. al have them
for myself, my family and my suite.
when am going homer | don't
know. You will have to ask the Swiss
minister that. have asked him to
take charge OF your affairs and he will
make all the arrangements for my
departure. Procedure? don't know
that either. This is my first expert.
ence OF this kind and will have to
inform myself regarding what shall
be done. | am just waiting to see
what is going to happen"
What Will Happen.
The ambassador was told that the
United States would take necessar,
steps to protect American life anc
property on the seas and was asket
what would happen.
what will happen'' he replied 81
can't say about that. If American
warships are going to convoy ship
carrying ammunition--well really
can't say what will happen" And thu
ambassador shrugged his shoulders
y. i.f4..,cr biz hands and lettinr the1,, fal