The Washington times., 1915-08-21
DR., ALBERT'S DEFENSE


The statement issued by DR.. Helm !
rich y. Albert, imperial German
privy councillor and head Of his
governments propaganda in this
explaining his activities Is
in parts an amazingly frank admis-
sion. The frankncss, however, ex-
tends exclusively to those operations
concerning which information has
become public in such detail and
completeness that it is impossible to
do more than admit the facts and
put the best possible face on them.
That was the Herr Doktor's posi-
tion with reference to the attempts
to buy control Of the Fatherland's
editorial policy. He acknowledges
that he didn't like the policy of the
Viereck paper in attacking the
Washington Administration, and
"would lend no substantial support
to the publication, notwithstanding
any claim to which it might other
wise be entitled because of its pro-
German attitude, unless we could
have q sufficient control over its edi-
torial policy to prevent such at
tacks.". Viereck refused these terms,
and so DR.. Albert virtuously
avouches that no German agent has
ever had control or voice in the
papers management. A curious vir-
tue this: the bribe was refused,
therefore no improperly attached to
offering it!
This is an illuminating observa-
ton, toe, about the Substantial sup
port" to which a publication might
be "entitled because of it's pro-Ger-
man attitude" Seemingly the idea
has never impressed the German
agents that there was anything
wrong about corrupting the press;
in fact, they "might be entitled" to
substantial support" but only pro-
vided they placed their editorial pol
icy completely under control of the
privy councillor. That may be q
satisfactory exoneration from the
standpoint of the privy councillors
notions about the morals Of the
press and the decencies in dealing
with it. 1t does not by a long way
measure up to American ideals. DR..
Albert admits not only that the ef-
fort was made to corrupt the press
but that he sees nothing wrong in it.
He is touchingly sincere in his pres
entation of Germanic standards.
His defense Of corruption is, how.
ever, no more naive than his attitude
on munitions Of war. The Germanic
allies had urged on high mora
grounds that neutrals ought not ex.
port munitions, and while pressing
this moralist view they were buying
munitions plants in this country
They couldn't get the products Of
these plants into Germany and Aus
tria while England controlled th'
seas; but if by chance sea power
should be transferred to their sid
they would be able to do just wha
their enemies had done. Does any
body doubt that they would hav'
done it?
"We have. considered it our righ
and duty" writes the Herr Doktor
whilst Great Britain continues it
piracy of the high seas, to endeavo
to protect ourselves against thi
course of international brigandag
. by stopping the expectation of wa
materials to the allies -" Grea
; Britain's "piracy" and "internationa
brigandage" denounced on the yer,
day when the Arabic is sent to tn
, bottom without warning! 1t j
"piracy" and "brigandage" for Grea
: Britain to use it's sea power in tn
, ways prescribed by all precedent an
, international law, but it is perfectl
, correct and praiseworthy for Ger
: many to murder neutrals and nor
= combatants by the thousand.
: DR.. Albert has said quite enoug
to make it apparent that he is nc
the sort of alien to whom the hos
e pitalities of this country should
, kept open.