Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-07
GOVERNMENT
HUNTS GERARD
Continued from page H.

Continued from page ID
proof that Gerard had actually left
Germany, but so strong was the feel
ing that he had that Minister Stovall
at Berne was at once instructed TO re-
port whether he had arrived there.
Today this information as the result
OF instructions to Willard to get in
touch with Gerard at Berlin, he hav-
ing been out of touch with the de-
partment since Monday. A message
that came from him then was dated
Sunday and his whereabouts since
that time has been deep mystery. I
1t was pointed out by Secretary
Lansing that 1t was possible that Ger
ards message may have been filed at
Berne by a member OF the American
embassy staff, who had left the coun-
try in advance OF his chief. 1t was
thought though that if this was so it
would have been so stated.
Washington, Feb. THE United
States will take immediate steps to
ascertain the reasons for the detention
at Berlin of Ambassador James w.
Gerard by the Imperial German gov
eminent. The action will be taken
thru the Spanish government, which
has taken over American interests in
Berlin since.diplomatic relations were
severed.
Officials, while outwardly minimiz-
( ing the incident, admitted today that
ii the ambassador is being detained
by the Imperial government the mat
ter is a serious and one that this gov
eminent under any circumstances will
allow to go unquestioned.
The State Department allowed it to
become known today that it has GER
tain information on the matter. What
this information was not divulged
Press dispatches that the report that
the ambassador is being detained "As
hostage" until the Kaiser's govern
ment can ascertain what treatment
has been accorded Count Won Bern
storff in Washington.
II, as reported, Ambassador Gerard
is really being held in Berlin, the ac-
ton was likely decided upon as an eff
fort to compel the United States to
secure from the allies, particularly
England safe conduct home for
Count Won Bernstorff, it is believed
here.
4 Gerard Held Back BY Berlin.
j Washington, d. c., Feb. THAT
there has been action by the German
government holding up the departure
of Ambassador James w. Gerard from
Berlin was admitted at the State De
partment today. 1t was declared
however that it was believed that
the whole matter will be adjusted
satisfactorily within very short time.
! Officials would not go into details
! concerning the action of the German
government which, according to cable
! adyices, was designed to hold Gerar'
as hostage until Berlin was sur,
Count Won Bernstorff had been accord
: ed proper treatment in his departure
from Washington.
D To Safeguard Bernstorff.
London, Feb. IA dispatch from
Copenhagen stating that James w
, Gerard, the recalled American am
bassador, would not be allowed Il
; leave until the German government
was satisfied as to the treatment O
, Count Won Bernstorff, the retiring
4. German ambassador, at Washington
, aroused tense interest here.
Bernstorff Sails Saturday.
r New York, Feb. Final arrange
: ments for the departure of Coun
y Johan Won Bernstorff and his party o
!! about 200 are pending today, Will
consent to the sailing of the Scand
inavian American liner Fredericl
VIII, is awaited from the general Of
fcers in Copenhagen
: A request has been called to Cor
= onhagen for the use of the liner, an
: there is little doubt but it will b
: granted
l. Tentative arrangements it was sal
J. at the Offices of the company, call fo
u the vessel putting in at Halifax for G:
animation by the British authoritie.
: From Halifax the ship would sail d
+ rectly to Copenhagen.
Four to Remain Neutral.
l. Copenhagen, Feb. IA report a
a circulated here today that Denmark
z Holland, Norway and Sweden will fa
!. to give affirmative answers to Pres
n dent Wilson's suggestion that all mel
Q trails break off diplomatic relation
r with Germany. The Dutch and Sea
dinavian newspapers point to the dit
cult Typographical positions of Il
| four nations and to the strategic pos
n ton of the United States.
L. The power of the German Empil
# Is still feared, especially in view
& the German troops massed on IN
+. Dutch and Danish borders and Il