The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-01-08
SAYS GERMANY
WANTS NOTHING
FROM NEUTRALS
Imperial Vice. Chancellor Declares That
Nothing but Strict Neutrality
Will Be Pleasing to His
Government.

Berlin. via London, Jan. S.--James w.
Gerard, speaking last night at a dinner
given in his honor by the American As
sociation of Commerce and Trade, said
that the presence at the dinner of so
many distinguished men, representing
the political, business and financial life
of both countries, seemed to guarantee
the continuance OF good relations between
Germany and the United States.
DIR. Karl Helfferich, imperial vice.
chancellor, declared that Germany de-
shines nothing from the neutrals, neither
assistance nor favors, except neutrality,
favoring neither side and giving equal re-
spect to both belligerent parties. He
expressed the hope thst peaceful mer-
chant ships will soon again be plying
| from Germany to the United States
across the now fettered, but future free
ocean.
The guests included three ministers, at
least two exministers, the vice president
of the Reichstag, the heads of Germany's
big financial institutions and other lead
ers in German public life. David Wolf,
president of the American association,
who presided, was fanked on the right
by Ambassador Gerard on the left by
Reinhold Sydow, Prussian minister OF
commerce. Next to Mr.. Gerard sat DR..
Karl Helfrerich, the imperial vice chan
cellor, and then came Arthur Won Gwin-
ner, director of the Deutsche bank; DR..
Bernhard Dernburg; ex secretary for the
colonies, and DR.. Hermann Paasche, vice
president of the Reichstag; while beyond
Minister Sydow were Joseph c. Grew,
secretary of the American embassy; DIR.
w. S. Solf, secretary for the colonies
John B. Jackson, former American minis
ter to the Balkan states. and Adolf Wer-
muth, lord mayor of Berlin. In all l75
guests, about equally divided between
Americans and Germans, were present.
The usual toasts to Emperor William
and President Wilson were drunk stand
ing. President Wolf introduced the
speakers of the evening, who were Vice
Chancellor Helfferich, Director Won Gwin- !
ner and Mr.. Gerard.
The ambassadors speech wits informal !
and avoided touching contentious topics. :
Director Won Gwinner, too,' did not
speak from manuscript, but DR.. Hefier- /
ich, speaking as the representative OF /
Chancellor Won Bethmann Holweg, de-
livered set address which was followed
with the closest attention by the guests.
Vice Chancellor Helfferich said he was
pleased to know that Ambassador Ger
ard had visited the United States, 'where
he had an opportunity of describing the
real state of affairs in Germany" and
Foreign Minister Zimmerman declared
he felt sure the friendly and trustful re-
lations between both countries as enun-
niated by Mr.. Gerard win continue" says
the Overseas news agency.
A telegram expressing the "sineerest
wishes" of the association "in this crucial
time" was sent to President Wilson and
another message was forwarded to En-
peror William. n
DIR. Helfferieh in his speech as quoted
by the news agency directed attention to
The increase in commerce between Ger
many and the United States, saying that
IN the 10 years from 1908 to 1913 it had
increased by more than l,000,000,000
marks. The Overseas news agency con
inues:
arthur Won Gwinner, director Of the {
)eutsche bank, who spoke next, COM !
jared Ambassador Gerard with the peace
love of Noah's ark, on the return OF I
which Noah realized that he had sent it !
,ut too early, but nevertheless he had |
cen the eolors of the rainbow r
Ambassador Gerard in his speech told \
+ the sympathy in the United States for i
ierman charity work. Many prominent
eople had handed him checks for the J
;erman Red Cross. On his return TO t
iermany, he said, he had delivered to the a
ifferent German relief funds about 4OO,-
90 marks" Continuing Mr.. Gerard e
aid: :
"'Never since the beginning of the war n
ave the relations between Germany and
he United States been as cordial as &
ow. | have brought back an olive s.
ranch from the president, or don't you Il
onsider the presidents message an olive a
ranch? CO
"1 personally am convinced that as "
ing as Germany's fate is directed by a
lch men as my friend, the chancellor, Il
nd DR.. Helfferich and DR.. Solf; by Ad- co
lirals Won Capelle minister of the a
avy), Holtzendorff thead of the naval A
eneral staff, and Won Mueller naval S
ivisor of the emperor, by Generals Won
indenburg tchief of the general staff, 81
nd Ludendorff first quartermaster gen W
-aD. and last, but not least, by my W
lend, Zimmerman, the relations be-
yeen tue two countries are running no ,