Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-07


American Ambassador Gerard has
reached Berne, Switzerland. The an
nouncement of his arrival at Berne was
received in a dispatch direct from the
ambassador.
From European sources the govern .
ment has learned that the German
government practically considered Mr.
Gerard as a hostage until it received
advices from Washington detailing ar
rangements made for the safe depart
ure Of Count Won Bernstorff.
It was disclosed today that the state
department sent a dispatch Monday de-
failing the plans for the departure OF
the German ambassador. Any plans
Germany might have entertained for
the restraint of the departure Of Mr..
Gerard then, OF course, were dropped
The German governments action is
believed to have been more in the ma
ture Of a move to compel the return OF
Count Won Bernstorff thru the allied
/ blockade rather than any step against
Mr., Gerard or the United States.
Direct Word Expected.
The state department has sent tC
Ambassador Willard a dispatch to be
forwarded to Ambassador Gerard at
Berlin woich would be Of value only in
case Mr. Gerard still were in the Ger
man capital. Ambassador Willard re-
piled that he had received word from
Mr.. Gerard in Berne.
No direct report has been received
from Mr.. Gerard or from the American
minister at Berne, but wcrd Is expected
during the day which will clarity the
situation. The last dispatch from Mr.
Gerard at Berlin was dated Feb. S.
consulates Turned Over.
Minister Ritter, of Switzerland, to-
day was instructed by his government
to take over diplomatic interests in the
United States. including the embassy
here and twelve consulates thruout the
country.
The minister Informed the state de-
partment Of his governments action.
Instructions to the Swiss consuls are
to take over the German consulates i'm
mediately so that the consuls and theil
families may assemble in New YORK
and Join Count Won Bernstorff and hi:
staff before Tuesday. The business OF
twenty three honorary German con-
SulS III LIlc OAlLou ptoSCo "Ai INV TX
taken over by the Swiss, no provision:
to do sa having been contained in the
instructions received by Minister Rit.
ter. The honorary consuls will cease
to act, however.
Instructions have been sent to Swis.
! consu!s to take over the German con.
sulates In the following cities:
Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver
New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia
San Francisco, Seattle, st. Louis. st
Paul and Manila.
! Special arrangements are being made
at Manila by the Swiss minister for th'
departure OF the German consul there
BECAUSE of conditions at sea it is rn.
derstood that the consul may not bt
able to return to Germany. Just where
he will 90 is uncertain. It Is likely hi
will be permitted to remain in the is
lands
Franz Bopp, German consul genera
at San Francisco, and his three aides
Vice Consul E. H. Won Shack, Lieut.
George Wilhelm Won Brenken and c. G
Crowley, will not be permitted to ac
company Count Won Bernstorff whel
he departs from the United States mex
week. The men, being under sentence
| for violation OF American neutralit!
laws, would not be given safe conduc
by the allied nations even were tn
American government willing.