The Washington herald., 1917-03-17
ON WARS BRINK,
AYERS GERARD
Ambassador Offers to Lead
Regiment of German-Amer-
leans Against Fatherland.

. N%SAASk ANAAA~s
(By the international News Service.) }
New York. March 16.-There is none
tc foretell the future OF James w. Ge-
rard. But let fate bring to him what
it may. there must remain with him
always the memory of the reception he
received upon his arrival in this city
today.
In spirit and numbers, it was a well
come that a people might have accord
ed by the savior of their homes and nag.
But there was no impressive show of
militarism. There was no pomp.
1t was merely a city come forth to
let a one hundred per cent American
know that they loved. honored and re-
circumstances that sought to blind his
eyes to the duties that were his and
to dull the edge of his courage.
From the Battery to City Hall, thou
sands OF men and women-men and wo-
men of a score of races and nativities-
screamed welcomes into the ears of the
little, positive fellow who showed Eu-
rope what sort of a man an American
Is.
llSSlI was CONeTeu uy
army of thousands. City Hall Park was
no less wonderful to look upon. Fifth
avenue from Fourth street to Forty-sec-
ond was lined with crowds which as
sumed a proprietary interest in the re-
turning diplomat.
Did 1t in q. 8. Style.
But It wasn't the fact that they roared
and yelled their greeting; it was the real
4 ~
him "Jim" and "Old Man''-"Well done
ole man"-and Jimmy" and Gerard,
Old Boy" and Good Boy Yankee" and
names like those
'T'n stay here until hell freezes over"
he had told the Kaiser when the Ger
man government decided he would scare
him into submission. The spirit of that
simple, declarative statement was the
spirit of red-blooded welcome today.
In his calm unostentatious, unemo-
tional way he made a speech from the
City Hall steps. John B. Stanchfleld and
Mayor Mitchell paved the way for his
speech with words of praise. But when
the returned Ambassador was showed to
the front, the wide crowds that spanned
the plaza from Park Row to Broadway
and over to the Federal Building broke
forth into its roar for Jimmy Gerard
This Is what he said:
Would Lead Regiment.
II believe those of German descent in
this country will remain loyal, I would
not mind leading a regiment of German
Americans in the event Of hostilities and
feel assured 1 would not be shot in the
back"
But" Mr. Gerard added, 'T want to
assure you that if we should be drawn
into the conflict it will be only after our
President has exhausted every means
consistent with upholding the honor and
dignity of the United States to keep Us
from war;"
Mr.. Gerard expressed great surprise
to find upon his return that I'VE have
done nothing to prepare for even a reas-
enable means of national defense"
1t was two minutes after o'clock that
the police boat Patrol" bearing the
Amba assador, the committee, a corps of
men and reporters, arrived at
Pier A at the Battery and it was then
that the uproar began.
A hundred policemen fought the crowds
back far enough to permit the short
procession to reach Broadway. Another
hundred did their best to keep Broadway
to the City Hall clear enough to permit
the procession passage. And yet another
hundred with a mighty effort, prevented
the throngs there from overwhelming the
man who seemed dazed by
the furore.
II have succeeded in saying nothing for
7,231 miles" he said to the reporters
who demanded an interview. and I don't
want to fall down now when within
only a mile and a half of my destina-
ton"