The Washington times., 1917-02-14
BERNSTORFF BIDS
CAPITAL FAREWELL
Expresses Hope That U. S. and
Germany Will Soon Be
Friendly Again.
GREAT THRoNG AT STATION
Wife Of Austrian Charge DAT
faires Accepts Opportunity
for Safe Return.

VoIcing an earnest hope that war
between the United States and Ger
many would be averted, and that
friendly relations between the two
nations would be resumed soon, Count
Johann Won Bernstorff left Washing
ton early this morning for New York.
Considerable significance was at
tached to the departure of Baroness
Zwiedinek. wife of the Austrian
charge, with Count Won Bernstorff's
party. While many persons at the
station insisted her leave taking pres
aged a break in diplomatic relations
between the United States and Aus
tria, others contended the baroness
was merely availing herself of an op-
portunity to return to her native land
in absolute safety.
Present To Say GoOe-by.
Tie Austrian charge, as well as
diplomats from the Bulgarian and
Turkish legation and embassy, were
present to say good-by to the former
ambassador:
Although the counts party was es-
corted from the German embassy to
the station by bicycle policemen and
Secret Service sgents. and bluecoats
formed a lane through which the for
mer ambassador/and the members of
his party walked from the waiting
room to the train, there appeared no
necessity for these precautions. The
crowd at the station was entirely
friendly.
The men and women seemed to have
gathered to witness the history MAX
ing departure of the expelled diplo-
mat. A number OF them shouted cor
dial words OF parting to the ambas-
sador and others in his party. One
man gave Baron Won Schoen, secre-
tsry of the German embassy, 500 razor
blades to be presented to friend in
Berlin. The secretary promised to
deliver the blades.
At the station Count Won BernstorfI
took occasion to express his gratitude
for the friendliness shown him by the
American people, particularly his ac-
quaintances in Washington.
Leaves Parting Message.
Although disinclined to issue a formal
statement, insisting that he was only
private citizen. Count Won Bernstorn
said:
In leaving the United States after a
stay Of eight years wish to extend to
my many personal friends my heartfelt
thanks for the great kindness and cor
dial hospitality which has been shown
me. Ny heart is full of gratitude to
those whose personal friendship never
wavered during the trying years Of the
war. In the last days 1 have received
80 many cordial farewell messages that
II was impossible for me to thank for
them all individually.
Countess Bernstorf joins me In this
expression Of our deepest personal graft
tude.
Il hope that war may be averted and
that the old friendly relations between
the United States and Germany may
soon be restored"
Breckenridge Long. Third Assistant
Secretary Of the State DepsSkment. and |
Warren B. Robin. secretary Of embassy |
attached to the division Of L.atin-Amer- |
ican affairs. accompanied the ambas- |
sador and party to New York and went |
aboard the Scandinavian liner Fred |
erick VIII. with Count Won Bernstorfr I
today.
In Charge of Special.
In charge of the special was Bill /
Ney, Of the Secret Service, and eight /
assistants, who will see the party |
safely aboard the Frederik VGI end /.
well down New York bay, outbound .
for Halifax. /
In last interview with the news /
paper men last night at the embassy
Bernstorh denied that he had any
connection with the many rumors
concerning Germany's recent peace"
proposals, made through the Swiss /
minister.
Il have not talked politics with
any one since February g." he said.