Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-06
.BERNSTORFF DEEPLY
AFFECTED ON EVE OF
RETURN To GERMANY
Receives Passports for Himself
Family and SIite-Anange-
ments in Hands of Minister
From Switzerland
,By Associated Press.)

MASHl NGIoN. rep. 4-hdNlHS iS-
ceived passports for himself. his family
and his suite. together with a note ex-
planning why President Wilson has sew
ened diplomatic relations between the
United States and Germany, Count Won
Bernstorff tonight was waiting for his
departure to be arranged by the Swiss
minister.
The minister. DR.. Paul Ritter has
cai,Ied Berne for formal authority to
take over Germany's affairs here and
when 1t is received he will call on Sec
retary Lansing and arrange details.
Count Tarnowski. the new ambassador
from AusIria-Bunsary. VINO has not yet
presented MS credentials to President
Wilson. denied himself to callers today
and tonight and official confirmation OF
reports that his government had taken
action similar 10 that of Germany was
not oblainable at the embassy. IL Is
taken Tor granted that when such action
IS taken relations also will be broken
with the Vienna government
IL is still uncertain what action VIII
be taken by Turkey.
The German ambassadors last ofhcial
day in his embassy was an eventful one
His friends noticed that willis he re-
tanned all his customary courtesy and
tried his best to appear pleasant, actual
~ he was deeply affected and gravely
apprehensive at the prospect of the tu-
ture.
FELT BREAK COMING.
The ambassador arose this morning
with the feeling that before the day was
over his diplomatic connection with the
United States would end. Shortly after
10 O'Clock he received a correspondent
Of the Associated Press in his stdy. The
ambassador was busy signing checks for
personal bills. He swung around in the
Ieep red leather chair at his desk.
We'll" nc said. smiling and offering
his hand. what do you hear this morn
irg? Am 1 going to be turned out? No
information? Well. ] have none, either.
haven't heard a word
As the talk drifted to prospects of
peace and the ambassador expressed the
personal opinion that it was not i'm
probable, even if relations were broken
OF. that the United States might con-
tinue efforts in that direction. tele-
phone bell tinkled The ambassador
picked up the received, smiling. He was
quiet for a moment, then the expression
on his face changed.
on say relations nave Deen DTOkeh
and that the president is going to con-
gress? Are you sure? Well. maybe
that's so. No. I have no comment TO
make and nothing to say. If that is
true, | am a private citizen again"
The ambassador turned to the CORE
spondent and asked that a verifcation
Of the report he had heard be obtained
This was done and the ambassador
quickly walked into the next room to
carry the news to Countess Won Bern
storf.
HIS EYES MOIST.
When he came back into his study his
eyes were moist and he said:
so it really is true. I'm sorry. How
ever, as you know. L expected it. /
never expected anything else. There was
nothing left for the United States TO do.
wonder how 1 am going to get home?
Il suppose l will get my passports
any time now. But 1 certainly am not
surprised at the action that has been
taken. Ny people in Berlin will not be
surprised either. They knew what was
coming when they declared unrestricted
submarine warfare. However, 1 have
simply been here to carry out the orders
of my government and 1 have done so.
haven't had any communication from
my government for the last day or so
and now I suppose I will be unable to
communicate with them at all, since the
use of my code probably will not be al
lowed and / could not send messages in
plain language"
Ii was nearly o'clock when Assistant
Solicitor Woolsey. OF the state depart
ment. arrived at the embassy with the
ambassadors passports and the note
from Secretary Lansing. Mr.. woolsey
was taken to the embassy study. He de-
livered the document and left immedi-
ately A group Of newspaper correspond
ents then went in.
The ambassador, as is the custom, sat
down under the portrait of his emperor
and opened the conversation by saying:
II am very glad to see all you gentle
men but what interest can you have in
me now? I am a private citizen again"
Have you received your passports.
Sr. Bernstorff?' was asked.
Yes" he replied. II have them for
myself. my family and my suite"
BERNSTORFF IN DOUBT.
When am L going home? 1 don't
know. You'll have to ask the Swiss
minister that. ] have asked him to take
charge of our affairs and he will make
all the arrangements for my departure.
Procedure? 1 don't know that either
This is my first experience OF this kind
and L will have to inform myself re-
garding what shall be done. I am Just
waiting to see what is going to happen"
The ambassador was told that the
United States would take necessary
steps to protect American life and prop
erty on the seas and was asked what
would happen.