James Watson Gerard (August 25, 1867 – September 6, 1951) was a United States lawyer and diplomat. At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Gerard assumed the care of British interests in Germany, later visiting the camps where British prisoners were confined and doing much to alleviate their condition. His responsibilities were further increased by the fact that German interests in France, Great Britain, and Russia were placed in the care of the American embassies in those countries, the American embassy in Berlin thus becoming a sort of clearing house. From first-hand knowledge he was able to settle the question, much disputed among the Germans themselves, as to the official attitude of the German government toward the violation of Belgian neutrality. Gerard published two books on his experiences, titled "My Four Years in Germany", released in 1917 and the following year, "Face to Face with Kaiserism". (Excerpt from Wikipedia)