Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-04
REGRET DEPARTURE
Of GERMAN ENVOY
Count Bernstorff Made Many
Friends Among People OF
National Capital.
SOUGHT TO HALT BREAK

SOUGHT TO Hall bhEAk
Genuine regret Will be felt IN many
circles in Washington because Of the
deDarture from the United States of
TIE German ambassador and the Coun-
tess Won Bernstorr. It was said among
his friends hero last night, especially
among those whose vision and whose
knowledge os his personality have been
broad enough to disassociate the am
bassador from the consequences or the
inspiration OF the acts OF the Berlin
government.
In this connection. 1t became known
last night that Count Won Bernstorf
has Iabored under many difficulties
since the European war began as the
result of attempts of certain circles in
Berlin to couuteract the effect OF his
:dvices. The positive statement was
made by persons in position to know
that upon more than one occasion the
ambassador has been asked by of1clals
Of the Berlin government for eNplana-
;ipns of his acts as ambassador mere
which some Berlin officials have thought
70 he in excess of his diplomatic powers.
DeSlISu " 4hdlhld1A I1AChSASAAP'
These acts, friends of Count Won
Eernstorf believe, have always been
in the interest of maintaining peace be-
tween Germany and the United States.
Count Won Bernstorff entertained the
Ugh professional ideal of the modern
,stplomatisI, it is said, that the interests
of the German people could best be
served by strenuously holding on to the
friendship of the United States, even
when this view has not always been
shared by all members of the Berlin
government.
Count Won Bernstorff understands
the people of the United States very
WELL an understanding shared by
Countess Won Bernstorff, and they have
been in as close and intimate touch
with the ideals of the American people
as any other diplomat ever accredited
here. Intimate friends with many
americans, on terms of the closest Wis
iting friendship in many American
homes, active in charity in Washington,
participants in summer gayeties with
many Americans, they have made them
selves part of American life, so much
SO that when their son, now young
German army officer. was launched
upon his career he was not sent home
TO begin, but was placed in the office
of a New York financial house. to
study and acquire American ideas and
methods.
No Patience With Rabid Ones.
Friends with whom Count Won Bern
storff has talked since the war began
report him as never having expressed
any of the ideas with which the cables
abroad have been burdened concerning
the German frightfulness" theory. A
pen picture of him during the past two
years would depict him as any serious
minded, Woodworking, American bust
ness man might be depicted. express
ing what is called in the United States
.'the safe and sane viewpoint Fri
Vately, he has told friends that he mas
had no patience with some of the rabid
utterances that have come out OF Ger
many since the war began, viewpoint
which might explain the report that
"the war party" in Germany has been
trying to make it uncomfortable for
him during the past two years
The war has had a hard effect upon
Count Won Bernstorff. physically.
Friends who remember him as the gay.
smiling, witty diplomat of the days be-
fore the war, have noticed lines come
into his face during the last year, as
the result of his cares and anxieties,
and a notable Discrimination for too
much society. He has taken religious
care of his health. getting to bed early
every night, so that he might be re-
treshed and strong for the burden of
each tomorrow, and it is only recently
that he has had the comfort and com
partnership of the countess again. as
she has but recently returned from
Red Cross duty in a hospital at Munich.
Trusted Newspaper Men.
count Won Bernstorff Is well ac-
ouainted personally with Washington
newspaper men and trusted them.
With some of them he has gone for
walks about the city. talking freely.
but not for publication" relishing the
idea that he could see his Washington
newspaper friends and speak freely, as,
he said. he was mot always sure he
could among newspaper men he did not
know SO well in other cities" He
shared with the former British ambas-
.sador. now Lord Bryce, real affec-
tion for Washington-the City Beau
riful." and il was through his efforts
that the German government decided
10 build magnificent white marble
embassy here, plan which the war
has prevented from being carried out.
Count Won Bernstorff's friends said
last night that no matter what the de-
Nelopments might be between the
Washington and Berlin governments
or between the German people and the
people of the United States, both the
ambassador and Countess Won Bern
:iorf would long be remembered in
friendly regard by many people In this
country, the ambassador particularly
If for no other reason than because it is
believed by his friends that 1t has been
due in large measure to the personal
and individual efforts of the arnbassa-
dor that the long-threatened break
between the two countries has been
held in allegiance.
London His Birthplace.
'ount Won Bernstorfr was born in
London November ID. 1862. the son of
Count Albrecht and Anna Bernstorr.
Tho future ambassador received his
early education at Dresden and at
1:atzeburg. Later in life he was hon
oIed by many American universities.
'olumbia conferred the degree of
LII Il. upon him In 1909, and since
that time Brown, Johns Hopkins. the
diversity of Wisconsin, Union Uni
Nersity. Pennsylvania, the University
Of Chicago. the University of Pitts
"urgh, Franklin and Marshall Cniver-
sijy and Princeton University have
s'is" honored him with degrees
The ambassador married Miss Jean
II gTt. l-.afoF ,axr.a~