Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-09
GERARD MAY QUIT
Berlin TOMORROW
Ambassador to Travel With
Party by Way of
Switzerland.
IBERNSTORFF SAILS MONDAY
By the Associated Press.

| By the Associated Press
! BERLIN. Thursday. February s, via
London. February 9. 12:ca p.m.-Former
| -imba ssador Gerard and his party prob
ably will leave Berlin Saturday even
ing. although the date has not been set
tied definitely. II is expected they will
| travel by way of Switzerland.
| The German government was official
| ly Informed today by the Spanish am
basSGdor that Count Won Bernstorff will
sail tor Halifax Monday. Americans
who have been wondering why no an
nouncement has been made regarding
i the departure Of Ambassador Gerard's
train have been greatly relieved, as
they hope that Mr.. Gerard will now
leave Berlin shortly.
Mr.. Gerard was offered the choice of
leaving Berlin Saturday or Sunday. and
quickly decided in favor of the earlier
date. The train which will take him to
neutral soil will be composed of sleep
ers and day coaches, and probably will
make better time than the regular
train service which no longer attaches
Importance to speed as in peace times.
Departure tc Be Facilitated.
Arrangements for the departure of
Mr.. Gerard and his suite We're practi-
cally completed today. The delay was
caused by the number of passports 10
be made out for the amhassadorial
party, and because of the lack OF news
regarding the movements of Count Won
Bernstorff.
The embassy representatives Will en-
frontier, and baggage inspection for
malities for the others of the party
will be executed before leaving Berlin,
that there will be no delays at the
border. The party will then travel to
Spain. where Mr.. Gerard Will embark
on the first available steamer for the
United States.
The former ambassador and Mrs
Gerard will be accompanied by nearly
all the embassy secretaries and at
service in Germany-except few or
dered to Scandinavia or Hoiland-and
by most of the American newspaper
The train will carry
in ali some 200 persons from the Ger
man capital. Two Representatives of
the foreign Office wilt accompany the
train to the border, which is expected
to be reached early Sunday afternoon.
The German foreign Office has asked
Gerard to sign a proposal -eafjrmin2
the treaties of 1893 and 1928 The am
bassador referred the government Of
fc.ais to Spanish and Swiss fnterme-
diaries.
Rights Of Nationals Involved.
The treaties have reference to the
rights of nationals residing as mer-
chants in either country to continue
their residence there for nine months
for the purpose Of closing up their buai-
ness. g-
Mr.. Gerard explained to Count Mont
gelas. head of the American section of
the foreign office. who presented tire
proposition to him, that he was 10
longer in a position to negotiate any
diplomatic instrument, Spain having
taken over American interests in Ger
many. He suggested that a way open
for negotiations was through the Swiss
legation. which is representing German
interests at Washington.
The matter is of decided Importance
to Americans in Germany. since the
German governments course toward
them, particularly on the question of
permission to leave the country will
be materially affected by the American
governments view Of these old treaties
between Prussia and the United States