Evening journal., 1917-03-12
GERARD To PUT
FOOT ON Home
SOIL TONIGHT.
Former Enjoys Journey
From Germany Filled With
Apprehension
.RUMORS OF PERISCOPES
But NO u BOATS seen
BY FRED s. FERGUSON
United Press Star Correspondent

AMAANN 4 Akna 9AnAA AlA ANH HAhANnN4
HAVANA. March 12.-By nishtfaii
James w Gerard former Ambassador
to Berlin, will devoutly rejoice in
once more treading United States SOIL
IL has been a long, long way from
Berlin to Washington-nearly 5000
miles in the route traversed by the
former envoy-and until the very last
moment it was a journey filed with
apprehension; a journey that came
after wearing days Of long drawn
out tension in Berlin.
! The Ambassador and his Embassy
party expected to leave Havana to-
day. Gerard will report to President
Wilson at the earliest possible mo
ment. Until he has thus personally
detailed the circumstances OF those
| trying days In Berlin, and given the
chief magistrate the Impressions he
has formed as TO Germany's purpose,
her present situation and her future
aims, he will remain silent.
The only public expression which tho
former ambassador permitted himself 70
make on his arrival here was that he
had no knowledge of Foreign Secretary
Znmmermanns plot to align Germany
with Mexico and japan until word OF
that conspiracy reached tho lnianta lsa-
bel by wireless as she was en- route from
Corunna, Spain, to Havana.
From others of the ambassadoriel
party, however, it was learned that the
ambassador months ago advised the
United States Government Of Germany'i
intrigues in Mexico
Germanys food situation Is serious
l in the belief of all the returning Ameri-
j cans. The Teutons greatly lack pota'
toes. fats. sugar and other basic fooe
staples. But everyone who had lived II
10 Berlin agreed that Germany would prob
ably be able 70 exc out an cxistenc
through this summer on her present SUP
plies of food. Then she viii have TO do
pend ON this years crops. And tho'
crops now have only fair promise
suillcioncy.
The mortality of babies and Of agr
people has increased tremendously
NJ Germany. due TO insufficient food an
lack of proper medical attention, accord
ing to the returning Americans.
Shortage Of metals and nitrates is
&c now interfering with Germany s
Il, manufacture OF munitions. according
=, TO members OF the Gerard party. Ger
~ many Is being raked with a fine
AHNAhth NbhAh ANA NANtthio tNHN '''ct -
Ell metals.
IN Il became known that Gerard had
N been warned by a German friend,
before he left Berlin, not to take
iel passage for America. He was told
" a German submarine would surely
iel torpedo the boat carrying him. That
ie warning gave passengers on the In
it fanta Isabel days and nights OF
ID something approaching terror.
Two days out from Corunna, will
o passengers and crew panicky ant
.e nervous there began TO be wild ru
20 mors Of periscopes sighted near the
Of Infanta. There was not momen
'5 that was not filled with vague dreal
n OF unwarned attack. But the peri
Of scopes turned out not to be peri
ID scopes. No submarines were sighted
he The party relaxed It tension again
ig Then just two days before Havana
Is was reached, panic reigned again f0l
a moment when a strange vessel wal
sighted. The stranger steamer rap
idly toward the Infanta. 10 circled
A. about the vessel cautiously And
et then. finally. to the vast relief OF a
n ships company that lined the rails
On the mysterious one changed her
al course. and soon was lost on the hori-
is zon line. The vessel APPARENTLY was a
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