New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-09
TOLD THEY FACE
TREASON CHARGE
Official Denies Fomenting
Strikes--Admiis Urging
Men to Quit.
GETS JOBS FOR THEM
Says Embassy Aids Relief Bu-
reau' and Subscriptions
Help Pay Expenses.

When DR.. Constantin Dumba, the
Austrian Ambassador, suggested to
his government that Austrian sub
jtcts might be. induced to quit work
in ammunition plants Count Won
Bernstorff, the German Ambassador.
had already begun work on Dumba
lines among Germans in this coun-
try.
With the approval of the German
Ambassador, Germans employed in
munition plants have for more than
a month been in receipt Of notices
that by working in such places they
violated the law OF Germany and
for those who quit work after warn
ing aid has been forthcoming from
1856 Liberty Street, where such an
employment agency as DR.. Du.nba
explains he had in mind is in opera
ton.
From that building circulars and let
ters have been sent out by the hun
dreds warning German subjects of dire
consequences IL they continue TO work
in industries which manufacture war
materials for Germany's enemies. Ad-
vertisements have been placed in Ger
man newspapers throughout the coun'
try requesting German workmen TO
leave such employment and assuring
them OF financial aid and good posi-
tions in peaceful industries" and ask
ing them TO report at once to Herr
Hans Liebau. manager Of the employ
ment and relief bureau for German
subjects who have left their Jobs In
war munition factories.
Bureau Is Kept Busy.
A reporter for The Tribune found the
bureau in room 305. Nothing In its
outside appearance suggested IL was
occupied. There was no name on the
door. A small, bearded man with a
harsh voice and piercing eyes was
standing in the doorway telling group
Of men Of foreign appearance to report
the following day. In answer to re-
quest TO see Herr Liebau he abruptly
turned, surveyed the questioner with
suspicious look and said:
"Dr. Liebau is not here. am IN
charge. What do you wsnt7"
When told reports had been current
about the mysterious activities con-
Quoted BY his Office he waived his caller
into an inner Office, shut the door ard
said:
There is nothing mysterious about
our business. Everything we do Is
frank and open. we are here to save
Germans from doing wrong. They ara
doing wrong when they assist in the
manufacture of war materials which
may kill their own kindred. They are
morally guilty Of fratricide and legal
ly guilty of treason. We are trying
to help them from committing these
crimes by securing them other en-
ployment in peaceful industries and
helping them financially until they ars
PLACED.
"The German Embassy naturally Is
interested in this movement for tho
good of Germans in America. But the
bulk of financial contributions comes
from patriotic Germans and German
Americans who realize the justice and
righteousness OF our cause. Nobody Is
turned away who shows proof that no
has left a Job in factory which Is
manufacturing the things that kill his
countrymen. Since August 4 we have
placed more than three hundred men.
and there are many hundreds more on
our books who are willing TO seek
other work.
Gil Enterprise Legal
"Dr. Liebau Is rarely here. He is too
busy with .ther enterprises to give
much time 20 this. am in charge here
and | am ploud OF the work that has
been accomplished during the past
month"
He explpined that he was William
Boxes, a German. born OF English par
ent. IN Germany, and that he was
railroad engineer, who had LETT feru
In order 10 'oin the German army at
the outbreak Of the war.
"As far as tke legal side OF our ae-
tivit.es IL concerned we have made sure
beforehand that we have not over
stepped our rights" he continued. NO
one can chapge that we are trying. to
foment striAes in munition manufse-
turing concerns All We are trying to
do 1, 10 stop Germans from assisting
in the making Of these implements Of
warfare against Germany. Necessity
and the allurements Of big wages has
promrted many ignorant men TO ac-
cept work In munition plants. We are
trying TO make them see the error oi
thei- ways. In this attempt we mus
have tho support OF ey ~ right-think