The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-15

limitations that Congressman fathering
bills to stop all contraband exports are in
reality agents OF Germany acting under
advice of German diplomats In this coun-
try were made yesterday by Maurice
Leon OF SO Wall street. Mr.. Leon, in
discussing THE SUNS report of Repre-
sentative Bartholdt's advocacy Of legisla-
ton forbidding all shipments TO bellger-
ents. declared that such an unequivocal
espousal OF Germany's interests calls Tor
immediate exposure. inasmuch as duplicity
in such important matters affects the vital
interests and even the permanent safety
of the American people"
Mr.. Leon gave his views OF the actiVi-
ties OF Congressman of German descent as
follows:
Representatives Bartholdt. Lobeck and
Vollmer when they speak OF forcing an
end to the war By cutting of all supplies
from belllgerents. know we'll that no sup
plies in any case can reach Germany
Therefore. by 'belligeronts' they mean
Allies
This is characteristic German
manruvre have no doubt but tha'
these three Congressman are carrying out
| the expressed wishes Of Count Won Berns-
| torff. the German Ambassador to TINS
country. and Dr. Bernard Dernburg. the
German publcist.
"In view OF the activities OF Representa-
tivcs Bartholdt. I.obeck and Nollmer 1t is
| important to consider whether the al
. lcgiance OF these gentlemen is primarily
TO the United States or to Germany
! Their silence IL transparent. TheN are
acting as agents OF the German Govern
ment in Congress. What they do dove
tails with the activities OF the German
| Ambassador.
"a true explanation OF the whole mat
| ter Is found in the principle laid down IN
the German imperial and state citizenship
law. article 20. paragraph 2
| This law sanctions the following prac
tice \ German desiring to exercise th'
franchise OF this country goes to the Ger
man Consul and from him obtains th'
written consent OF the German authorities
to retain his German citizenship notwith
standing his naturalization.
Having done that. he goes before g
court In this country and takes an oath o
allegiance which according to our la"'
requires him expressly to forswear allie
glance to the German Empire. But tina
oath is not taken by him in good faith
He is not engaged in reality In beconin'
an American citizen. but in acquiring tn
right TO use the American franchise al
though remaining German subject.
I'm this way the German Government
conniyes at wholesale deception on thu
American Government and does so viii
the sanction of a law duly adopted h,
the Reichstag and bearing the SIGNATURE
Of the German Emperor.
The attitude OF mind which this stua
ton has engendered i, admirably Illus
,rated by two recent articles Of 1'r. bern
burg In the current issue Of the Nou'
American RertcU he shows Germany II
an attitude OF injured innocence protest
ing that she has nothing to gain an'
wishes to gain nothing by the war. while
in the Indsperdcnt for December l'r
Dernburg discusses the terms upon whicl
Germany would make peace. mentioning
that Germany merely wants the Ralt
provinces, Antwerp (which Dr. Dernburs
although formerly a Colonial Secretary
locates on the Rhineb, customs control o
Belgium, Morocco a sphere OF influence II
| Asia Minor from the Persian Gulf to tn
Dardanelles and. as presents to Germany
friends, Egypt for Turkey and Finland 70
sweden.
| "If II is the same Dr. Dernburg VIII
| writes both OF these articles. he must hav
a dual personality comparable to the Qua
nationality OF the German Americans rep