The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-08-18
FEAR TENSION
WITH GERMANY
May Be Forced to Take Ac-
ton Against Kaiser's
Agents Here
SOME OF THEIR ACTS
OPEN TO CRITICISM
German Arguments on Mu-
milton Exports Quashed
by Latest Exposures

#
n Washington, Aug. ls.--Government Of
ficials are plainly worried over the
! charges that German diplomatic and Sc
e cret service agents have committed acts
h in violation of the laws of neutrality
/ and are apprehensive that they may be
/ forced to institute proceedings before the
: conclusion of the negotiations now in
! progress between Washington and Ber-
e lin.
1t is realized that if the United States
is forced by circumstances to hand pass
: ports to any German official temporarily
resident in this country such an act
would be certain to aggravate a situa
ton that is already grave and might
lead TO rupture in the diplomatic re.
lations between the two governments.
Officials admit privately that German
agents have been guilty of activities that
are open to criticism, but they win not
admit that they have evidence that any
! of them have committed acts that weuld
warrant their expulsion from the coun-
try. They insist that good many
charges have been made to which undue
Importance is attached, and suggest that
until inquiries now under way have pro.
gressed further it viii be impossible TO
determine whether or not the German
officials have encroached on the neutral
Iity laws to an extent that will warrant
demand on Berlin that she withdraw
some OF her agents from the United |
States. Obviously, the whole attack Is |
aimed at Count Johann Won Bernstorff. |
the German ambassador, and Captain |
! Boy Ed and Captain Papen, members of |
his staff.
The authorities point out that Ger
many has right to make arrangements
through officials to obtain munitions Of /
war in this country, and that she has a
right, within limitations, to present her
side of the war story to the American
public. 1t is conceded that Germany is
making endeavors along these lines.
Officials say that If it can be demon
strated that the German ambassador or
any other German official is responsible
for attacks upon the president or the
government, or has taken steps to incite
unrest in this country, it would be in Z
eumbent on the United States to take
drastic action whatever the consequences.
The government also would act speedily
If evidence is presented that the German
officials had furthered propaganda de.
signed to stimulate sentiment in favor I
OF an enactment by Congress imposing a
an embargo on the export shipment OF
munitions OF war.
German Case Spoiled.
Great Importance is attached by gov.
eminent officials TO one phase OF the &C.
Invites of German agents. There seems
TO be no doubt that Germany is at.
to control munition factories in
the United States and that she has con
tracted for supplies destined for export
shipment. In the opinion of the suthori.
ties Germany has thus acknowledged
that there is no substance 60 her argu-
ments outlined in numerous notes that
the United States has no moral right to
permit the allies to purchase ammuni.
lion in this country. She is attempting
% do the very thing that she complains
he allies are permitted to do, and il de.
'elops that her efforts in this regard
we're under way eoineident with the
PREPARATION OF notes in the Berlin for
ign Office protesting against the sales
y munitions Of war 10 Great Britain
nd France on high moral grounds
The officials believe that the exposure
hat Germany has gone 10 the extreme
( attempting 20 purchase control Of mn-
ition factories in this country will re-
ult in an utter collapse Of the move.
lent furthered in this country by pro.
Germans designed 10 effect the passage
{ Law by Congress prohibiting the
hipment Of munitions 20 belligerents
The attention Of officials was directed
esterday TO reports that certain en-.
loyes IN the state and treasury depart
tents are in the employ Of the German
overnment II was stated further that
he heads Of the two departments arc
an inquiry into this charge
{ the treasury, officials said that no IN
llry into The charges had been made
J reported, and doubt was expressed
at any employe or clerk in the depart
ent was on the payroll Of German Sc
"a service agents.
Secretary Of State lansing said that
J BE- knew about the matter vas what
read IN press reports. II il realized
course, that owing % the gravity Of
r charges made u would 10 natural fer
% officials q make = denial. That AZ
quiry g determine whether any 81 the
nploves ~ The two departments are
pTlying information q Germany vii
made i taken for granted.
Ofiicials deelinf 90 infiesfe 20 what -.
~ they had previously been advised
the disclosures affect ne GerrMnv uaa
ing made in the press II Is known
course fhat fer months the drpart
M # fustins has heen caufuefiug an
lestifati0n INTO passport frauds.
l1rierenees bid Monday and Safurfst
Secretary Of state Lansing wfh
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