Omaha daily bee., 1917-02-08

from Barcelona, Spain, says that
Ambassador Gerard will sail from that
port for the United States OH Span
ish transatlantic liner.
Washington, Feb. 7.-Ambassador
Willard at Madrid reported to the
State department today that he had
received a dispatch from Ambassador
Gerard, sent from Bcrnc, Switzerland.
Although no word came from AM
bassador Gerard himself or from
American Minister Stovall at Berne,
the State depal tment interpreted Mr..
Wizards dispatch as indicating that
Mr.. Gerard had left Berlin and got
ten as far as the Swiss capital.
The fact that MIR. Gerard was not
expected to leave Berlin before Sun
day coupled with the possibility that
lie may have sent dispatch to Berne
to be transmitted to Ambassador Will
lard makes it possible, however, that
Mr. Gerard has not left Germany, but
officials expect further advices during
the day.
The State department had sent to
Ambassador Willard dispatch to be
forwarded to Ambassador Gerard in
Berlin, which would be of value only
in case Mr. Gerard still were in the
German capital.
Ambassador Willard replied he had !
received dispatch from Mr. Gerard
at Berne and wished instruction as to
whether he should forward the de-
partments dispatch to him there.
No direct report has been received
from Mr.. Gerard or from the Ameri-
can minister at Berne, bu, word is
expected during the day which will
clarity the situation. The last dis
patch from Mr.. Gerard at Berlin was
dated February S.
Step Aimed at Entente.
From European SOURCE outside OF /
Germany the government has learned
that the German government actually
did consider Mr.. Gerard practically
as hostage until it received advices
from Washington detailing the ar
made for the safe depar-
ture OF Count Won Berustorff.
1t was disclosed today that on
Monday the State department sent a
long dispatch, giving the plans
worked out for the safe departure
Of the former German ambassador
and his suite. Any plans German Of
hcials might have entertained to re-
strain the departure of Mr.. Gerard
were then, of course, dropped.
The German governments action
IS believed to have been moro in the
nature of move to compel safe
-eturn Of Count yon Bernstorff
through the allied blockade rather
han any step against Mr.. Gerard or
he United States.
In line with its policy of doing
1othing to force further strained re-
ations with Germany, it was officially
'elterated today that the administra-
ion is taking the greatest care to
see that no right of any foreign gov
ernment or foreign property is vio-
ated.
1t was added that the government
las nowhere seized German ships or
,laimed title of any sort to them.
1t was authoritatively declared on
behalf of the administration that the
only action taken has been to put
'essels and their crews under such
guard and protection as to prevent
being done which would OBJ
'truct navigation or in any other way
yiolate the laws to which they would
n any case be subject. Only the
necessary precautions, it was said, are
'elng taken against violations of the
aw of any sort.
Statement by Baker.
Secretary Baker gave out the fol
owing statement:
In the harbors OF Manila and else
where in the Philippine Islands and
It Colon, Panama, the German mer-
hant vessels were discovered to have
lad certain parts of their machinery
emoved, and in some instances evi-
ences of preparation for the sinking
# these vessels had been made.
Solely for the purpose Of protect
ng the several harbors and other
hipping and property therein, steps
ave been taken to prevent damage,
tut none of the ships have been
eized by the government of the
United States and in all cases the
and crews have been in ,
ormed that the government of the
United States had made no seizures, +
laims no right to the vessels and
oes not deny the right of the conf {
handler and crew to dismantle the :
essels il they see fit, so long as the
estruction is accomplished in a way
'hich will not obstruct navigablc port
'aters or injure or endangcr other
hipping or property.
THE breach OF diplomatic rela-
ions between the governments of
he United States and Germany has
OF changed the relation of these
hips or their crews to the govern
lent of the United States nor for
cited their right to hospitality and ;
teps taken are limited to necessary
olice regulations to prevent injury to
he property Of others or the obstruc- :
on Of harbor waters"
Gerard at Berlin Tuesday. 5
Berlin, Feb. 6.-(Via London. Feb. |
THE foreign office thus far has
| I