The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-09-23
EXCUSES ACT ON
IGNORANCE PLEA
Archibald Says Took Oumba
Letter For Pass.
U. S. OFFICIALS QUIZ HIM
10 Asked Regarding Story Of Gold
Headed Cane-DeeIsres Had No In
tention Of Breaking Neutrality


Headed cane-DeeIsres Had No In
tention Of Breaking Neutrality
Law.
New York, Sept. 21.-The American
war correspondent. James +. J. Archi-
bald, from whom the British mil
itary authorities took a letter writ
ten by Dr. Dumba, the Austrian am
bassador to the United States to
Baron Burian, the Austrian minister
for foreign affairs. and in which there
was outlined a plan to cripple the
manufacturer Of war munitions in this
country. returned to New York on
the steamer Rotterdam.
Later in the day Archibald gave out
a statement. after a long consultation
with his counsel. Frank j. Hogan, OF
Washington. in which he reiterated
his declaration that he knew nothing
of the nature of Dr. Dumba's commu-
nication.
As the boat came up the bay he
was subjected to brief inquiry by
Chief william ]. Flynn, Of the secret
service, on the matter of a gold head
ed cane. Among the reports that had
been circulated concerning him since
he was arrested and taken from the
Rotterdam on her last trip to Europe
at dartmouth. was one that Archibald
carried with him a gold headed cane
nh hah
which was sunnosed to contain official
information for the American gov
ernment.
Archibald told Chief Flynn that the
report was a myth. that he carried no
such cane and that the only gifts,
which he was taking TO Europe were
a small clock for Countess Won Bern
storff and a bonbon dish for the Prin-
cess Hatzfeldt He gave his word of
honor that this was 70. Whereupon
the inquiry ended.
"Dr. Dumba's letter." said Archi-
bald. was given to me most openly
at the steamers gangplank just be-
fore sailing Hundreds OF persons
were about and there was not the
slightest suggestion Of secrecy. OF its
had absolutely no knowl-
edge. I supposed. OF course. that II
simply referred to my work. feel
that the.very open manner in which |
the letter was given me shows that |
Or. Dumba had no intention OF using |
me or my passport as a shield for the
OF any improper letters. |
81 did not consciously break either
he spirit or the letter of my passport
Dr. OF any law, but merely did what
avery traveller crossing the ocean does,
by carrying notes or small packages
II an accommodation to friends, Just
Is ! did when I returned from Ger
many last year. when carried several
etters and official dispatches to our
tate department for Ambassador Ger.
Ird and packages for Mrs. Gerard and
'thers. or course. in doing this for
ambassador and Mrs. Gerard I did Il
imply as a matter of friend ship. pre-
isely as I carried the letters in this
ase."
Archibald stated that before leav-
ne for belligerent territory "to do
Ield work with armies engaged in the
var" he sought letters OF introduction
nd recommendation
Feeling that there might be strong
sentiment in Germany"
Irchibald declared. "and not knowing
0 what extent that might inconveni-
nee those travelling with me, I asked
'rince Hatzfeldt to prepare me an
pen letter, stating that I was friend.
: to their cause"
According TO Archibald he suggested
lmost word for word. the letter Prince
Iatzfeldt wrote. which. he said, he
Intended to use only in the event we
ERE subjected 10 anv local hostile
Archibald asserted
e did not know the contents OF the
ther letters. Ambassador Dumba's
'tter, he said. was delivered TO him
the steamer by the ambassadors
scretary while the packages he car.
ed for Count Won Bernstorff. the Ger.
an ambassador. and Captain Won
apen, German military attache at
were delivered at his