The sun., 1917-03-17
GERARD,HAILED,
SEES WAR NEAR
Ambassador Replies to
City's Welcome by Urg-
ing L. S. to Prepare.

~ os w
James w. Gerards welcome home
Yesterday amounted to a whole city
shouting We'll done !" Its climax, how
ever. lay not in the cries OF 10000 New
Workers at the Battery. another 10000
at CITY Hail. mile of cheers between
those points. uncountable flags swapping
III the sunshine, the harbor a-scream
with steam whistles, the band playing
America" and the Trinity chimes
and soldier khaki.
1t lay rather in the short speech
wherewith on the portico OF City Hall
the returned Ambassador answered the
citys salutation voIced by the Mayor and
John B. Stanchheld, chairman of the
citizens committee.
His face and bearing attesting un-
mistakably the strain OF perhaps the
hardest ordeal TO which an American
diplomat has ever been subjected. Mr..
Gerard phrased his first public utterance
-sAliGa- .AAss~dafarture from Berlin. 1t was
patiently his message to the American
people, deliberately formed but based
, upon comparatively recent observation
and reflection.
MIR. Gerard's speech.
YOU must know how deeply grateful
/ am Tor this reception TODAY" he be-
gan. FOR the very kind words spoken
by your Mayor and Mr.. Stanchheld. But
III summing up my work in German ny
| ask you TO remember that | had the
assistance OF a very devoted band of
secretaries, of small but tactful fam
ily of one this with bow to Mrs.
Gerard who stood near her husband
with her mother. Mrs. Marcus Daily
and the hacking of our efficient Depart
ment of state, and no less, at all times.
the approval wise counsel. skilful guild
anCe or that man who will stand In
American history beside Washington and
Lnroln-our President. Woodrow Will
son"
/ Th" listeners on and near the stcps
VINO heard this tribute started a cheer
which spread 20 the distant edges OF
/ the throng that covered all the plaza.
| I'VE are standing to-day very near
the brink OF war" the Ambassador, un-
atached-that Is his present official
/ rsnk--wcnt on. But I want to assure
! YOU that II We should be drawn into
the conflict II will be only after our
President has exhausted every means
consistent with upholding the honor and
dignity of the United States to keen
us from war. tApplause.
81 LETT Berlin with clear conscience
because ! felt that during all nv stay
there ! had omitted nothing to make
/ for friendly relations and peace between
! the two nations. ] am very glad to-
day to see on the list Af this reception
, committee the names Of people of Ger
man descent. 1t is hut natural tina,
citizens Of German descent in the be.
ginping Of the war should have had :,
sentimental feeling toward Germany
that they should have looked bacl
through rose colored glasses to that land
which, however. they left because they
did not have equality OF opportunity
Applause,
I'VE read to-day in the newspapers for
the first time that there IL a possihil,t,
that after the war the Germans will b,
given an equal share In their own gov.
ernment." Here Mr. Gerard raised hi,
voice and said with earnest emphasis,
German American Loyalty.
~ believe that in our hour OF trial W,
can rely upon the loyalty of our citizen.
of German descent, and, II they woul,
follow me, | would not be afraid to g,
out with a regiment Of them and with
out any fear Of being shot from behind.
More cheering, and voices shouting
+ Good. good - until Mr. Gerard raised
his hand and got a further hearing. In
dorsing what the Mayor had said Of tn.
need for national preparedness the Am
bassador continued
when | came back to this country 1
was a positive shock to me 10 find thi>
in the two years In which the world ha,
been on fire we have done nothing t,
prepare for even a reasonable means o
national defence There is only on,
thing universal military service or uni
versal training. That nation that Stands
opposed TO us to-day has probably no
less than 100000 men under arms.
have seen the Germans take prisoners II
one afternoon more men than there ar,
in tho entire United States army.
Doesn't 1t seem ridiculous TO you tina
the two States of New York and New
Jersey should have more chauffeurs /,
them than there are soldiers in ou
army? daughter Ny companion
in the Twelfth Regiment who have hon
ored me by coming here to-day an,
more men like them Throughout IN
country have done what they can, bu
they can't do It all. There must be
public sentiment IL we are to maintain
ourselves as nation.
III we had n million men under arm
to-day we would not be near the edg
Of war"
Cracking applause greeted this avowa
of the pilgrim back from the centre o
Continued on Third Page.