The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-11-18
IPA|R or our ACTIVE
I vOAS MAY Be FIRED
Won Papcn and Won Nubcr Cascs
Are Now Being Carefully Con-
sidered BY tSatc Depart
mcnt.

Washington. Nov. 17.--It became
known today that the State Depart.
ment has still under consideration the
case of Captain Won Papen, military
attache at the German embassy; Con-
sul-General Won Nuber, representins
Austria Hungary at New York, and
other officials of the German and
Austrian governments, whose activi-
ties have been the subject of invcs-
tfgation by agents of the Federal gov
ernment.
That drastic action may be taken
by the department in the cases OF
two officials named above is now con-
sidered more probable than any time
In the last few weeks. because OF
the failure OF the administration to
act on their cases Immediately after
the dismissal of DR.. Dumba the Aus
tro-H hungarian ambassador, the i'm
preston prevails here that nothing
was TO be done. 1t now appears
however, that is was merely q case OF
suspended judgment. due to other con-
siderations of a vital character,
Captain Won Papen and Cpnsul-Gen-
eral Won Nuber were involved in the
Dumba incident in several ways. Both
were mentioned as having knowledge,
mended by the ambassador for dis
rupting American munition plants,
Both were alco guilty Of the offense
given as one of the causes of DIR.
Dumba's dismissal, that of using an
American citizen and an American
passport to get Official messages
through the lines of the enemy Both
Won Papen and Won Nuber gave
Archibald cipher dispatches 70 be car
ried to officials in Berlin ana Vienna.
These were seized with other papers
taken from Archibald. Consequently
1t Is generally considered that they
are quite as liable to dismissal from.
the United States as WIS DR.. Dumha-
Other Objectionable Acts.
Since the Dumb a case arose other
information has come 10 the atten-
ton OF the administration officials
with regard to the activities of Ger
man and Austrian agents in this coun-
try, Officials of the Department OF
Justice have been particularly inter
ested in advertisements and circular
letters sent broadcast by Consul-Gen
eral Won Nuber and others calling on
all Austro Hungarian subjects en-
gagged in munition plants to quit their
l. jobs. The letter demanded that they
leave for reasons of patriotism as we'll
as fear of punishment should they
return to their native country.
The Department OF Justice has
reached the conclusion that there is
no law under which cases like that OF
Won Nuber could be prosecuted. II
has. therefore, turned to the State De-
partment all the information it gath
! cred about the activities of the con.
sul-general. and other Austro- Hunga.
fan consuls. on the assumption thai
II there was no law touching such ac-
tivities the diplomatic branch of the
government might find them furnish:
ing cause fro dismissal from thie
country as accredited representative
OF other governments.
/ May Take Action Soon.
AL this information is being studied
by the State Department, and there
Ia reson to believe that action ma,
be taken in the near future. 1t |!
pointed out that while it is the In
tention of the administration to ash
I Congress to pass laws this winter GOV
+ ering such situations 1t cannot be ex
pected that such a legislation will b
effective for many months. Mean
while, officials believe these activities
are increasing in proportion. and II
offensiveness. and 1t Is the conviction
OF the entire administration from tn
President down that something need
to be done TO put stop 10 what u
now going on.
The charges made by DR.. Gortcar
the former Austro-Hungarian consu
at San Francisco. are expected II
prove a factor in this situation. 1t Il
known that officials of the Depart
ment OF Justice have been In confer
| enee with DR.. Goricar recently in New
| York in regard to his allegation re
specting the activities Of Austro-Hun
garian consuls and their agents IL
this country.