New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-16
Shows Effects of Nervous
Strain, but Is Pleased
at Reception
ONLY PRIVATE CITIZEN
NOW, SAYS ENVOY
Correspondents with Him
Differ on Food Scarcity
in Germany
BY FRED 3. PITNEY
by Gable to The Tribune


Paris, Feb. 15.-Ambassador Gerard
arrived at 1880 this morning from
Berne. The train, in Difference TO his
position, made unusual concessions and
was on time. He came by special from
the Swiss frontier, where he changed
from the Swiss train, all arrangements
having been made with the frontier Of
ficials for waving the examination of
baggage and other formalities.
The embassy officials and their fam
lilies were on the ambassadors special,
the other Americans following by regu-
lar train and arriving two hours later.
Ambassador Gerard said that hundred
and twenty persons came out of Ger
many with him. but less than forty
came on to Paris.
Shows Nervous Strain
Ambassador Sharp and the chief
members of the Paris embassy were at
the Care de Lyons to meet the train,
and with them was William Martin,
Chief of Protocol, representing the
French government. Ambassador Ger
ard showed signs of considerable
fatigue when he got off the train. and
it was evident later that he is still suf-
fering from the effects of the long
nervous strain he las been under.
Despite this, however, ne has lost
none of the pleasant manner which
made him so many friends in New
York. He was greatly pleased that
such a number OF persons had gath
cred to welcome him to Paris and re-
marked 10 Ambassador Sharp:
81 wouldn't get up at this hour to
meet the Queen of England"
William Martin welcomed him in the
name of the government, and said that
he had been especially commissioned
by President Poincare to say that
everything possible would be done to
make his stay in Paris a pleasant one
Confers with Sharp
Ambassador Gerard and his party
went at once 20 the Ritz, accompanied
by the Paris Embassy staff, and from
there Ambassadors Sharp and Gerard
went TO the embassy, where they were
in close consultation until nearly noon.
After returning to his hotel, Mr..
Gerard said that he would go from
here to Madrid, but he declared he
could not say how long he would re-
main in Paris or on what date he
would sail for America.
THAT depends on when ] can get
accommodations" he remarked.
"Will you see the French officials
while you are here" he was asked.
81 will be very glad to see them il
they want TO see me-" he replied.
But you visited the Swiss Presiden.
and officials" was remarked.
That was because they asked me to"
he said.
Only a Private Citizen
81 shall be glad TO see French off
Gals also, but they have not asked me
yet. l am only private individual
now, you know"
The Ambassador said he could say
nothing about the occurrences in Ger
many or German affairs until he had
seen President Wilson.
81 said nothing, and can say moth
ing" he declared.
lie was reminded of several articles
purpOrting to be interviews with him
which have appeared in the papers, and
remarked:
Many questions have been asked me
talk"
On the regular train following the
ambassador special were Carl Ack
erman, Of the United Press; O. K.
DAVIS, OF The New York Times" and
Or. Elliot, an American dentist i'm
Berlin All Of these brought their
Mencken, of "The Baltimore Sun.
Alderman and Davis differed radically
In their opinions concerning economic
coholtions IN Germany, especially in
regard to food. Davis said there was
plenty Of food there.
Found Bread Plentiful
The night before / left Berlin" he
declared, 81 went out and for 20 pfen-
nlgs bought more bread than could be
bought. IN New York for twice the
money"
Alderman and his wife agreed that
getting away from Berlin was like
getting out of prison. Alderman said:
There is plenty Of food there for
the rich, but poor people are suffering
extreme hunger"
We could always get plenty of milk
for the baby said Mrs. Alderman,
but for three grown persons in our
household we had an allowance Of only
three-quarters of a pound Of meat a
week. Not three-quarters of a pound
each, but that amount for all three.
That was the hardest thing 1t is
very hard to keep up ones strength
with no meat"
Dr. Elliott, on the other hand. said,
There is hardship in Berlin, undoubt-
eddy, but it is not keenly felt, because
it has come gradually. There arc
cards for almost everything one has
to use, but they were introduced
slowly, one at a time, and people had
plenty of time 20 get used to them"