Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-14
IlARD TO LEAVE
FOR PARIS TODAY
Party to Quit Berne on Sec
ond Lap Of Journey
Home
y FEAR WAR INEVITABLE
WASHINGTON, Feb. Ia.

" Inc nrst direct WORD from AmDassa-
der Gerard since February reached
tke State Department today In con-
ndential message sent from Berne. The
dopartment declined to make IL pub
Nc. II was learned later, however, that
Gerard advised the department he
would go to Paris and then to Spain,
where he would sail for the Unitcd
States, though he gave no date of de-
parture. He will return on a Spanish
steamship.
BERNE, Feb 14-Former Ambassador
Gerard today informed other Americans
desirous of returning to America that they
were welcome to accompany him but must
make their passport and other arrangements
through the legation here, which now has
sole jurisdiction.
In consequence the legation has been
thronsed by about 100 Americans whose
passports are good only for Germany and
neutral countries and must be validated for
France by special State Department author
ixation.
GENEVA, Feb. 14.--Former Ambassador
Gerard will leave Berne for Paris today on
the way to Spain. The date OF his sailing
mas not Deen nxeu.
All of the Americans who accompan MED
Mr.. Gerard from Germany believe that war
with the United States is coming shortly
and are glad to be out of Germany, though
many have suffered heavy losses, being
obliged to abandon homes and furniture.
The Americans consider Switzerland a
land Of plenty after the German food cards.
Most of tehm, especially the children, are
looking thin and pale. Several hundred
more Americans are expected In Switzerland
during the week. Probably 1000 still re-
main In Germany.
Butchers windows. well stocked with as
sorted meats, such as are seen here, are an
unwonted sight in Berlin. Meat is now so
scarce in the German capital that 1t is
never hung in windows to attract buyers
but is speedily distributed without ad-
vertising. Customers keep in close touch
with the butcher, so as to know when the
next meager supply will be on sale
Virtually all meat Is sold on a card en-
titling each person to half a pound weekly
but dishss made of kidneys, lungs and other
scraps can be bought in restaurants with
out card. Game and poultry exempt
from the card system and command ex-
traordnary prices. The maximum prices
for pork and mutton range from fifty to
Eeventy cents, but a dollar more is paid at
backdoors, for, despite Germany's genius for
organization, much surreptitious dealing
prevails. Even German officials usually
mouelS OF Str1CteSt ODeOlenCe 10 tne laws,
give hungry children the advantage of
loose Interpretation and do not put awk-
ward questions.
The rich, of course. suffer comparatively
little. They are still able TO buy high
priced poultry or fish. Turkeys, geese and
chickens are still displayed in poulterers
windows and bear labels announcing that
they can be purchased at from S1.30 to $3.50
pound Cases have been reported where
tat goose brought more than $40. The
poorer people especially in Berlin, are I'M
doubtedly suffering from hunger. as their
food In confined mainly to bread, potatoes,
turnips and low-grade marmalade. Physi-
clans are writing in the medical journals
that children are now evidently under
nourished particularly lacking fats, yet the
merry shedding throngs In the parks during
the last month never suggested lack of
food.
The general verdict is that the health Of
the people is better than before the war,
when overeating had almost assumed the
character Of a national besetting sin. Short
commons are borne cheerfuly, and the peo-
pie are mostly disposed to jes, over the mat
ter where the pinch is not too keen, Men
In authority, however, recognize that Ger
many Is confronted with a problem of
growing difficulty. The next four months
are regarded as especially critical because
the supply of vegetables, except potatoes
and turnips, Is virtually exhausted Even
sauerkraut cannot be bought in shops but
10 only doled out by the authorities at in
tervals.