The New York herald., 1922-05-02
MISS BAER Is FREED,
DENIES BOLSHEVISM
German Lecturer, Small and
Pretty, Only Seeks to Pre-
vent War by Boycott.
IS MRS. yILLARD'S GUEST
Engagement to Call on Presi-
dent Harding at White
House Is Cancelled.

1T IS very funny said Fraulein
Gertrude Baer last night. Il am
pacifist and they say. You are a Com
munist' And il I were Communist,
they would say. You are Bolshevist.
Miss Baer. who came to this country
from Germany to lecture, was discuss
ing her intention at Ellis Island. The
youthful secretary of the German Sec
ton of the 'women's international
League for Peace and Freedom. hadn't
the least idea why she had been taken
from the George Washington and ques-
toned by the immigration authorities.
Neither had her friends, Jane Adams
and Lillian d. Wald. Neither. for that
matter. had the Ellis Island officials.
They said there were suspicious
against her. Commissioner Tod said
her detention had been ordered by the
Department OF Justice and he under
stood the reason was the fear Miss Baer
might become a public charge because
of lack OF funds. After a brief hear
ing she was allowed to go. She is
visited Mrs. Henry Willard OF 90
Park avenue.
Miss Beer Is not at all dangerous
looking. She is 81 but looks younger
and is small and pretty. Her Engiish
is very good and when she talks she
smiles often showing rows OF very white
teeth.
She was a school teacher before she
became a lecturer and advocate OF
peace. She will speak tonight nj the
Engineering Societies Building. West
Thirty-ninth street, in three cornered
peace discussion. The other speakers
are Mile. Theresse Pottecher-Arnouid
of the French section, and Mrs. Arnot
Robinson of the British section. MISS
Jane Adams will preside.
1--WE believe In absolute non-violence.
How can I deal with the Bolshevis.s
when I wish to abolish all violence?
I believe women can prevent war by
boycott That is the question | will
answer In my speech tomorrow. Can
Women Boycott War;" Miss Baer
said.
"Do YOU believe women should boy
colt war, to the extent of not marrying
soldiers?" Miss Baer was asked.
81 would never impose obligations on
any one. I would let them marry who
ever they like" she said.
How about you? Would YOU marry
a soldier?"
"Me? No, no. no." she laughed. "I
would not marry any one
Miss Baer said conditions in Germany
were very bad-"again bad" For
time there was an Improvement. but that
has passed. she said. Germans have
never felt as hot against the United
States as against England and France.
1--WE are as far away from you as you are
from u.s. she said to explain German
feeling toward America.
Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
WASHINGTON, May department Of
Justice officials to-day would make no
comment on the detention yesterday at
Ellis Island of Miss Gertrude Baer of
Germany for her alleged communistic
leanings.
Miss Baer had an appointment TO see
President Harding at the White House
to-day, but her engagement was can
celled as result of her detention by
authorities at New York. The German
embassy arranged the appointment. IL
was said at the White House. State De-
partment officials who acquiesced in the
request made by the German Embassy
expressed embarrassment over the in
cident.