The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-11
American shipping IN he event OF
further clash with GERMANY.
Gerard On the Move.

eA0hu on Lte ihVtc
The administration was somewhat
relieved today by Advicos received
through DR.. Paul Ritter. the Swiss
minister, that Ambassador Gerard. his
STAFF, and some nifty other Ameri-
cans would leave Berlin late tonight
for Zurich. Later the department was
Informed that the American party
would reach ZuriSh tomorrow and
that 10 would be met at the Swiss from
tier by American Minister to Switzer
lard S-ovail
In this connection the state depart
rent took occasion to announce that
Am bassador Won Bernstorff had been
accorded every possible means Of
communicating with his government,
both directly and through the Swiss Ie-
cation, since the break between the
two countries. published statement
credited TO the German under secre-
tary for foreign affairs that Won Bern
storT had been prevented from for
varding dispatch TO Germany was
categorically denied.
VIII Sail wednesday.
Ambassador Won Bernstorfg will
leave New York on Wednesday. IT was
announced. A special trip to the
Scan dinsvian liner Frederick VIII has
been arranged. and extraordinary pre-
cautions Cor the protection OF the dis
missed arr basSadcr and hts party have
been taken.
The report OF q peace proposal
from Germany found The administra-
ton IN the midst OF preparations for
any eventually and Il caused pro-
found sensation secretArv OF state
Lansing called In his advisors and re
viewed every communication n the
~ q re- ~s. &c
department ea7c!sls after the confer
ence declined TO 4iscGss the situation.
but Secretary OF STATE Lansing him
SELF pro~ered the statement that ne
had never even heard Of such a com
nurtca.iou." Or. Ritter. the Swiss
minister who visited the state depart
Tnent late IN the day likewise denied
any know edge OF he matter The
report was transmitted 70 the whlF
House. and after thorough inves+tsa-
ton Secretary Tur2lty declared that
nothing WAS known % the matter
there. r was sad that ar 'rvesti ga
ton might 10 made TO determine the
source OF the report
Cruz Of Runaor
The report as published hers Wa
% tte effect that Germany hal srarre5
: note u The United States, suggesting
,ha; steps be taken 10 prevent a-rua,
hos'45t es between the two nations Il
declared shat the note would prn ba biz
re forwarded through the SWISS Cow
eminent IL asserted that Germany
sculd not propose any modification
= her Submarine plans. bat would ask
hat the United states suggest means
10 prevent, a further breach in the
relations between ths two countries.
n. tbs German err A-azs +YlT4la
Count Won Bernsto-y refused to see
Any callers, II was stated that there
ras no knowledge OF peace note"
Prince Won Hatfield counsellor OF
he an hassy said:
We know nothing about any such /
communication. and therefore we
sannot either confirm or deny such q !
export"
Continue Preparation.
Executive and Legislative pfepara-
Ions for the next step" that Will fol- I
ow the dreaded overt act" continued
lnabated today. Secretary Of War
Baker and Secretary OF the Navy
Daniels were at their desks late TO-
aleht ard their suoordinates were
3ard al work throughout the day, ,
'ongrePs continued TO grind out pre-
oaredness emergency legislation /
md an agreement WIS reached in the /
house 70 vote finally on the big naval .
appropriation bin with It's half bill !
lon of dollars Of prepared ness funds I
IN Tuesday. Offers Of private re-
sources for emergency purposes con
tnued TO pour into the war and navy
departments. and on all sides there
vas apparent spirit of wartime .
AZ