My Four Years in Germany by Gerard, James W., 1867-1951

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Contents Illustrations Chapter I My First Year In Germany

Chapter Ii

Chapter Iii Diplomatic Work Of First Winter In Berlin

Chapter Iv Militarism In Germany And The Zabern Affair

Chapter V Psychology And Causes Which Prepared The Nation For War

Chapter Vi At Kiel Just Before The War

Chapter Vii The System

Chapter Viii The Days Before The War

Chapter Ix The Americans At The Outbreak Of Hostilities

"the Ambassador."

Chapter X Prisoners Of War

Chapter Xi First Days Of The War: Political And Diplomatic

10/viii 14.

William, H. R.

Chapter Xii Diplomatic Negotiations

James W. Gerard."

Chapter Xiii Mainly Commercial

Chapter Xiv Work For The Germans

Chapter Xv War Charities

Chapter Xvi Hate

Chapter Xvii

Chapter Xviii Liberals And Reasonable Men

Chapter Xix The German People In War

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Chapter Xx Last

The End

Invariable custom requires a new Ambassador in Berlin to give two receptions, one to the Diplomatic Corps and the other to all those people who have the right to go to court. These are the officials, nobles and officers of the army and navy, and such other persons as have been presented at court. Such people are called _hoffahig_, meaning that they are fit for court.

[Illustration: AMBASSADOR GERARD ON HIS WAY TO PRESENT HIS LETTERS OF CREDENCE TO THE EMPEROR.]

[Illustration: THE HOUSE ON THE WILHELM PLATZ, RENTED FOR USE AS THE EMBASSY.]

It is interesting here to note that Jews are not admitted to court. Such Jews as have been ennobled and allowed to put the coveted "von" before their names have first of all been required to submit to baptism in some Christian church. Examples are the von Schwabach family, whose ancestral house I occupied in Berlin, and Friedlaender-Fuld, officially rated as the richest man in Berlin, who made a large fortune in coke and its by-products.

These two receptions are really introductions of an Ambassador to official and court society.

Before these receptions, however, and in the month of November, I presented my letters of credence as Ambassador to the Emperor. This presentation is quite a ceremony. Three coaches were sent for me and my staff, coaches like that in which Cinderella goes to her ball, mostly glass, with white wigged coachmen, outriders in white wigs and standing footmen holding on to the back part of the coach. Baron von Roeder, introducer of Ambassadors, came for me and accompanied me in the first coach; the men of the Embassy staff sat in the other two coaches. Our little procession progressed solemnly through the streets of Berlin, passing on the way through the centre division of the arch known as the Brandenburger Thor, the gateway that stands at the head of the Unter den Linden, a privilege given only on this occasion.

We mounted long stairs in the palace, and in a large room were received by the aides and the officers of the Emperor's household, of course all in uniform. Then I was ushered alone into the adjoining room where the Emperor, very erect and dressed in the black uniform of the Death's Head Hussars, stood by a table. I made him a little speech, and presented my letters of credence and the letters of recall of my predecessor. The Emperor then unbent from his very erect and impressive attitude and talked with me in a very friendly manner, especially impressing me with his interest in business and commercial affairs. I then, in accordance with custom, asked leave to present my staff. The doors were opened. The staff came in and were presented to the Emperor, who talked in a very jolly and agreeable way to all of us, saying that he hoped above all to see the whole of the Embassy staff riding in the Tier Garten in the mornings.