The Washington herald., 1917-02-02
.CERMANY'S ENVOY
READY To LEAVE
Count Won Bernstorf Believe.
Break with U. S. Cannot
Be Averted.

A hrm conviction that a break be-
tween the United States and Germany
cannot be avoided settled over the
German Embassy last night, and Count
Won Bernstorf made preparations to
leave his post.
Plainly worried over the grim pos
sibilities of the next few momentous
days, the Ambassador, while declining
to discuss the situation publicly, made
il clear that he has little hope that the
United States will acQuiesce in Ger
many's determination to wage relentless
warfare on merchant shipping.
At the German Embassy 1t was stat
ed, however, that IL was not expected
that Ambassador Won Bernstorff would
be handed his passports within AZ
hours 1t was stated that communi-
cation to Berlin from President Will
son, in the nature OF an uItimatum.
would probably precede an actual
break. 1t was made plain. however.
that Germany will not make the
slightest concession in her submarine
warfare plans, and that the Embassy
! has no hope that the United States
will agree to the relentlessness de-
scribed in the German note.
Won Berpstorn Fatigued.
| Ambassador Won Bernstorf seemed
much fatigued last night, and he was not
| in his usual iovial mood. He told callers
| that he had become used to crises, ou'
at times he tried to conceal the eVideht
concern he felt. 1t was made plain that
the German Embassy here has mace lIs
| last move, and that the next step must
be made by the President. The Ambasss- D
| dor and his staff were nervously await
| ing the decision of the White House.
1t was the belief at the embassy, that
| the sending of passports to the Anpas-
| sador would be preceded by State De-
partment communication to Berlin. EN-
| bassy officials look for an ultimatum ol'
| rect to Berlin, and this it was anticipated
| would go forward within the next torty
| eight hours. One German diplomat SAID
1.-The German government hopes the
| United States will perceive the new con-
| ditions that have arisen and not carry
| out the threat of the Sussex note. with
out mature consideration
I Germany has counted the cost" this
| diplomat continued. "and unquestionably
| has reached the decision that this Is the
only way to end the war. She does not
underestimate the probability OF dipio
| matte relations being severed, but sht
has weighed all of the consequences anc
will calmly take the results. We are
| sorry and at the same time glad. TO de-
| liver this note to the American govern
ment. We are sorry to see friendly re-
lations disturbed, but glad our govern
ment has found a way to win
1t was said at the embassy that 4
Count Won Bernstorf is given his pass
ports, the entire embassy stan VIII ac
| company him home. The Ambassador
declared that he did not for momen
consider the likelihood Of difficulty in Sc
curing safe conducts for himself ant
STAFF in the event OF his withdrawal
The Ambassador smiled blandiy wher
some one suggested that 1t might b
| pleasant for him personally to becom
| interned for the rest Of the war at Palm
Beach or some other American resort
| Ambassador Won Bernstorff did not se'
any complications between this govern
ment and the central powers over thu
arrival Of Count Tarnowsk, the new Aus
| trian Amba assador.
Count Tarnow Tarnowski reaches
Washington last night Beyond a forma
expression of his pleasure at reaching
Washington and his hope that nothini
would disturb the relations between hi
country and the United States. he woul
not discuss the present internatons
situation.