The Washington times., 1915-08-25
Every Secret Agency Of United
States Put to Work On Trail
of Spy System.
EVERY LEAD". RUN DOWN
Wilson Interested in Claim OF
IN. p" and A. Mitchell
PaImer's Denial.

Every secret agency Of the Gov
ernment. 1t was learned today. has
been put to work to trail the activ-
tiles Of the agents in this country Of
the German propaganda and spy sys-
tenn.
Operatives Of the Secret Service and
the Department of Justice are said to
be following every lead" disclosed
| by the New York World In It's ex-
posure. 1t is understood the Presi-
dent himself who has conferred sew
eral times in the last few days with
Postmaster General Burleson and At
torney General Gregory. has spurred
on the inquiry.
The President Is understood to be
particularly interested in the publish
ed correspondence concerning the
claims of the mysterious M. P" to
the innermost confidence OF the Presi-
dent. No comment has been forth
coming from the White House. how
ever. on the public statement OF for
mer Congressman A. Mitchell Palm
ssMsi sMi. q p" Pennsylvania 0e"''"s ne %
In other Official circles. however con
siderable interest has been manifested IN
MIR. Palmer's admission that nc talked
with the President on the day whcn'
!ished by the World. m. p" claims TO
have received assurances from ;he
Presldc/ that nothing serious would
come out of the Lus tania controversy.
and that the United States would pro-
| test against Great Britain's intcrfer-
ence with neutral commerce. Pnrticu-
| larlv Is this interest aroused with re.
spect to Mr.. Palmer's explanation OF
the object Of his call.
Purpose of Visit.
| Mr.. Palmer stated he called to resign
the appointment OF justice Of the Court
Of Claims. and 10 inform the President.
in behalf of John "a. Stanchfield. Of
New York. OF plans which certain in
terests had under way for the estab-
iishment Of 4 neutral steamship line to
carry noncontraband to neutral coun-
tries In the north of Europe.
Mr.. Stanchield the attitude Of the Ad-
ministration with respect to such a
project. Mr.. Stanchheld's law partner
10 named Levy. and 1t was person
referred t. IA Legal Agent" Levy. who
is represented as having made re-
port Of m. P.'s" interview with the
President to DR.. Albert. described as a
| German privy councillor In charge OF
the German propaganda In this country.
Mr.. Palmer has been generally recog-
nized as a candidate for the position OF
Counselor OF the Department Of State.
succeeding to the position held by Rob-
ert Lansing before the latter was made
Secretary OF State. 1t has been stated
Mr.. Palmer's purpose In resigning the
position on the Court of Claims was to
pave the way for his appointment to the
important State Department position.
No Longer Considered.
1t was learned definitely In official
circles today, however. that Mr..
Palmer is no longer being considered
for the counselorship by President
Wilson. Whether this fact is due to
the M. p" exposures could not be
learned.
That the President has no intention
Of shutting himself off from visitors
as a result Of the M. p. incident
was indicated clearly today when for
the first time in months he kept
"cpen house" at the Executive Offices
between IL and l O'Clock today for
the purpose Of chatting with all per-
sons desiring TO see him.
AS a matter OF fact while the Gov
eminent is keeping close watch on
the pro-German activities as a mat
ter Of protection and to prevent vio.
latioLs Of the neutrality laws. many
officials regard much that has been
published concerning the German
lactivities as an amusing Illustration
of the roundabout" system which
the German agents adort.
The disclosures show, 1t was pointed
out, that much of the informa tion which
the German agents seek under cover
of great mystery and an intricate re-
port system could be obtained any day
from the newspapers.
Germany's espionage system. how.
ever, was organized originally for use
in countries where the freedom OF the
press Is not known as 1t Is here. Sc
= cumbersome is 1t. however, that 1t can.
( not be modified to the requirements ir
. a country like the United States.