New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-16

His much advertised Red Cross prop
agands was farce. He came here TO
purchase such war supplies as he could
obtain, and, incidentally, to learn the
condition Of military preparedness in
this country. He takes TO the German
War Office information of great inn
portance, which he has gathered in his
dealings with various munition brokers
and manufacturers.
Tall and erect, his excellency has
graced the lecture platform while he
made his pleas for contributions.
Wearing a toupee, to change the ap-
pearance of his somewhat bald head,
his face, he has dickered with many
declers and done everything in his
power to prevent the Allies from OBJ
tanning war materials here. As a lat
ter day "Dr. Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde" he
has been a notable success.
Won Bernstorff His Aid.
His excellency's activities have been
carried on with the knowledge and CO.
operation Of Ambassador Won Bern
on August "a, 1914. Since then they
Now Dr. Meyer, armed with a cafe con-
duct letter from Mr.. Bryan in the name
of "Meyer-Gerhard," has been sent
back by the ambassador. and the Ger
man government is awaiting his report
before replying to President Wil}on's
last note.
The scheme worked perfectly, ard the
State Department apparently has not
had the slightest suspicion that DR..
Meyer was not DR.. Meyer
Gerhard at all. IL is fact, however.
that the French and British embassies
at Washington did not issue a safe
conduct guarantee, as in the case Of DR..
Dernburg. But they are said to have
made it plain that they would not inter
fere with an accredited representative
of the Red Cross.
DR.. Meyer played his part splendidly.
The small, whispering group that knew
all about it recognized that if the truth
of his excellency's identity and busi-
ness fell into the hands of the Allies IL
would prove fatal to the success Of the
enterprise. The Allies would be sure
TO notify the State Department and IL
might interfere with the prompt return
to Germany Of high war official.
And so the doctor fitted from leet-
ures in behalf Of the Red Cross 10 Sc
cret conferences with his fellow con-
spirators with great speed and much
caution. The utmost discretion was
exercised in arranging the various
meetings that took place. Telephone
calls were made from public stations.
DR.. Meyer lived at the Ritz Hotel
only internationally. and never regis
tered after his first appearance there.
His other address was known 10 less
than four people. and each conference
with him was attended by an amazing
amount Of preliminsries.
In the first place DR.. Meyer made
a strenuous attempt 10 obtain the
$50. 900 discarded Krag-Jorgsnsen rifles
owned by the United States. and, fail
ing in that. he devoted his attention TO
the concerns which held huge con-
tracts with the British and French.
He actually purchased from factories
in Connecticut quantities Of cartridges
manufactured for the Allies.
He was able 10 do so by Offering an
advanced price which would make up
for any inconvenience the companies
might have in explaining their failure
TO deliver the goods 20 their original
customers. Some Of the ammunition
thus secured was shipped 10 Germany
by way OF Italy before that country
mad decided 10 open hostilities.
MasGuerading in his alleged Red
Cross capacity, DR.. Meyer was received
cordially everywhere. and his oppor-
tunities for cleaning information were
numerous. No one thought Of dues-
tionIng his authenticity. and. Of course.
the fact that he was vouehed for By
Count Won Bernstorff forestalled sls-
picion. Even Mr.. Bryan was fooled.
Was Back Of Kreg Deal.
From German sources came the
statement that DR. Meyer-Gerhard was
connected with the Colonial Office In
Berlin. Sure enough, in the list Of
Colonial officials that nxme could be
found. But a glance into the Hot-