The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-08-10
MICHIGAN SENATOR
CAUSES SENSATION
BY LOBBY CHARGES
Smith Declares Maderists Have
Ear Of the State De-
partment
ORGANIZED EFFORT
TO BRING ON WAR
Til, is Senator Williams Re.
tort Adding That There is
Money Behind It's
ate Excited
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, Aug. s.-Coaded
from both sides of the senate cham.
Der. today for further details of his
charge. made In the senate last
Thursday, that there is we'll or.
sanized lobby at work in Washington
to influence sentiment and official ac-
ton in Mexican affairs. Senator VIII
liam Alden Smith, of Michigan. a
member of the foreign relations COM
mittee. openly charged that Shelburn
g. Hopkins. of Washington, a well
known attorney in diplomatic. mat
ters. had drawn a fee OF $4,000 to
represent the constitutionalists OF
Mexico. and that he was being aided
Senator Williams. OF Mississippi. re-
torted that there was an organized
effort in the United States to bring
about a war with Mexico. and that
there was money behind 1t.
Senator Smith was sharply ques-
toned by number Of senators on
both sides of the chamber as to the
source OF his information. and he ad-
mitted that evidence of 1t was contained
1 nthe published volumes of testimony
taken before subcommittee of the
senate committee on foreign relations,
OF which Mr.. Smith is chairman.
Smith Becomes Specific.
In the course of his allegations,
Senator Smith declared that the lobby
he had referred to had the ear
of the state department In the last
administration. and he believed the
ear of that department also in the
present administration.
They are now here in Washington
trying to influence public sentiment.
and trying to influence official ac-
& ton in favor of the Maderist party.
said Senator Smith. They were SUM-
cientiy influential to assist in bring
ing about the removal of Henry Lane
Wilson. as ambassador to Mexico"
+ Senator Overman was on his feet
at the suggestion of q lobby" he
being chairman Of the senate lobby
investigating committee. He inquired
OF Senator Smith whether these men
had sought to influence the action
of congress. The Michigan senator
replied that he was not prepared to
say that. but 1t was unnecessary for
them to seek to influence the action
OF congress, as the matter was be-
ing controlled by the state department.
Senator Ollie James. friend of
Secretary OF State Bryan. was on his
feet by this time. declaring that the
senator from Michigan had made a
charge that ought not to pass un-
noticed.
Will Report Monday.
II do not intend that 1t shall pass
by unnoticed," replied Senator Smith.
~ have been very much occupied with
other matters, and have not had an
opportunity to prepare report to
submit to the senate covering the IN
formation taken by my committee, but
intend. II possible, to lay the whole
matter before the senate early next
week. probably Monday
Senator Swanson, of Virginia. de-
manded to know why Mr.. Smith did
committee, and that senator replied
that he felt 1t his duty to submit
report TO that committee, but at the
same time ne would make a state
ment to the senate.
Senator Overman. inquired whether
Mr.. Smith was willing to appear be-
fore the lobby committee TO which Mr..
Smith retorted that he held his COM
mission from the people OF Michigan,
and he would not report to any lobby
committee.
Senator James suggested that Mr..
emith had reflected on Secretary
Bryan by suggesting that the Madero
lobby had his ear. to which Mr.. Smith
replied that he had not reflected on
Mr.. Bryan: he had simply said that
the lobby had the ear OF the state
department.
~ "But Mr.. Bryan is the head Of the
etate department. and is responsible
for what goes on there, suggested
Senator James :.
"You say so. but l don't believe it.
don't believe that Mr.. Bryan Is re-
sponsible personally for all that goes
on is the state department" reforted
Mr.. Smith. whereat there was some
laughter.
N Jump to Their Feet.
Probably a dozen senators were on
their feet demanding recognition, ana
II was evident that the senator from
Michigan had stirred up sensation
by his charge that a aMadereal lobby ex-
listed in Washington Replying 70 SEN
ator Smiths suggestion that the lobby
was influential in the last administra-
ton. as well as In the present admin
istration. Senator Swanson inquired
who was president in the last admin
sistration.
"oh, that is perfectly silly ques-
ton" replied Senator Smith.--------
80 HSKed BY Senator Swanson how long
he had known of the existence OF the
Madero lobby in Washington. Senator
Smith replied that about eight months
ago his committee had taken testi-
mony. Senator Swanson demanded why
Mr. Smith had not reported the facts
earlier.
VI 1T Is possible that IL I had had the
90 operation OF my friends on the
other side of this chamber might
have been able to make report be-
fore this time" replied Senator Smith,
who has been complaining that the
! Democrats in the senate had put An
end to the activities of his invAstt-
eating committee.
/. Senator Swanson expressed ths opin-
l0n that Mr.. Smith, who Is member Of
tvhe foreign relations committee, should
! have brought Secretary Bryar's at j
MENTION 10 the matter on one OF the oo-
-pAsions At which NJ. Bryan appeared b.
S3nree tho committee. Senator Smith Ad-
Continued on Second PAgAy