The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-02-12
iby the strong stand OF American
i n rd

Ambassador Gerard.
From neutral soil today 1t is pos
sible to reveal the pressure WHICH
the German government broush1
powerfully to hear on the American
ambassador to force from him slsnl
ing Of a treaty which would prac'
tically guarantee the safety OF Ger
man ships in American waters. Ter.
ard persistently refused. He declined
even to communicate such proposals
to washington unless he was granted
freedom OF confidential communica-
ton.
Then the American newspaper COT
respondents ascertained that tney
were likely to be held as hostages IN
Germany for Americas guaranteeing
of the German ships safety. Iney
were finally granted permission 70
leave with Gerard on the specla'
train, but received their passports
only four hours before the time set
for the departure.
when the American correspondents
In Berlin went to Gerard in a pody
and told him of what they had hearo'
Gerard replied:
II told Montgelas that I'd sit there
until kingdom come and not 1ease
until all Americans We're permlt'eu
free exit"
After this the Berlin officials
granted passports to those desiring
to leave with Gerard. ..,,
A large number of American sui
remain in Berlin and are ANXIOUS 70
leave. but the indications wheh tne
G erard party left were that they
would be delayed days and even
weeks. The Berlin government, rear
ing that America may declare war,
desires to have a.. rev
American citizens within Germany on
which retaliatory measures might oe
exacted, in case Germans In America
are interned. ~ ,s
Meanwhile the foreign office is
striving to keep America out OF tue
war-hut the military party long Hso
for American hostlllties ana
is only luke warm in its support OF
the statesmen on the Wilhelmstrasse.
The feneral feeling of Americans
left in Berlin was expressed by the
Young son of Davis Maddy:
IF ever get my feet on Amerl-
can soil again, I'll never take them
off,"
Gerard appeared worn out today
not only from the journey from Ber
lin. but from the strain OF the past
events. He was warmly received Dy
representatives of the Swiss govern
ment and the allies.
Gerard plans to remain here Tor
few days and will then journey 10
Paris. from there going to Spain lot
the voyage to America.
In the meantime he is communlcat-
ing all details Of the past week to
washington by code dispatches.
Resentment in Washington.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL. - the
Swiss minister, now representing
Germany's interests, has communl-
Gated to Berlin the exact position tax
en- by this country with regard 10 tne
treatment of German ships and tnen
crews now held in American ports.
In the light OF this fact. state de-
partment officials today expressed re-
sentiment over Germany's reported Ell
forts to force re-afirmation OF the
treaty of 1893 and of the reported de-
lay in viseing passports Of Americans
desirous OF leaving Germany at the
earliest possible moment No Wori
has vet been received as to the actual
departure of the Americans brought
into Germany on the Yarrowdale fol-
lowing the activities Of the German
sea raider off the South American
coast.
The immediate release of these
Americans has been formally promised
Ambassador Gerard. 1t is presumed
that they are among those persons
whose departure Is being delayed.
The action OF Ambassador Gerord
in turning down the German proposal
of a new treaty supplanting that o.
1899 has the complete sanction of the
state department. whose officials say
Germany had no right to make such
demands following the formal break.
To Prevent The Grip
Colds cause Grip-Laxative BromO