The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-16
WASHINGTON INFORMED
OF GERMAN ACTIVITIES
Officials Reluctant to Take Any Action in Regard to
Diplomats While Negotiations With the Kaiser's
Government Are at Present Stage.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 15-It was ac-
knowledged to-day in official quarters
that the United States Government is
In possession OF information that Ger
man diplomatic officers and members
OF the German secret service have COM
mitted many acts which seem to be in
violation of American neutrality since
the war began.
These acts have been ignored up to
this time as a matter OF policy. The
Washington Administration has DELHI
erately overlooked many things and
maintained silence because II was be-
lieyed this was the wiser and better
this Government has not been disre-
garding entirely the activities OF Ger
man representatives.
Agents OF the Department OF Justice
, have been following clues and gathering
evidence for several months in fact,
ever since the passport fraus came to
light soon after the outbreak OF HOSTILE
ties. The Department OF Justice is ac-
cumulating this evidence for use in the
event tina this Government finally de-
cidcs to act.
Government officials said to-day that
there seemed to be nothing in the latest
published evidence of German activities
to warrant action by the state Depart
ment against any German diplomatic Of
tcers. However. the developments will
be watched closely.
Although this Government has deliber-
ately refrained from moving up to this
time, II is possible that public sentiment
will be So thoroughly aroused by the
repeated disclosures that the hand OF the
Administration will be forced.
II has been known here for some time
that German officials have been involved
In the passport frauds that this coun-
try has been used as n base In eNercis-
ing a sort of espionage over military
preparations in Canada, and that a lit
erary campaign has been ~onducted with
n view to presenting the German case
before the American people In a more
favorable light
There have been intimations that GER
tain Germans OF prominence inspired
Huerta, the former dictator. TO move
toward the Mexican border. but this
has been emphatically denied.
Officials here say a good many un-
pleasant things have been done In the
name OF Germany to which no exception
can be taken. Purchase OF ammunition
factories and a literary campaign OF
education are not acts that would justify
the United States in demanding the re-
call OF any of Germany's representatives
In this country.
II IL IL true, as reported, that German
influences have been responsible FOL
strikes, the Government may In due
season tax appropriate action. II
would not long tolerate activities on thu
part OF foreign agents designed to ex'
cite unrest or calculated to promote
disorder.
II 1t is shown thai German diplomatic
officers have had anything to do will
the support and promotion OF a New
York publication which has repeated,
attacked the President, and which nov
seems to be controlled by rep
resenting the German secret service, !
may be n serious matter for the diplo
matte representatives.
President Wilson himself. the Secre
tary OF state and the Attorney-Genera
are I'm possession OF information bearini
on the activities of German agents II
the United States. At least one membe
Of the German Embassy Is supposed 4
have had knowledge OF the passpor
cases that led to arrests and convictions
and another IL said to have bee
, familiar with certain operations OF
, military character in Canada.
It is understood that President WilsoI
has refused TO oountenance actioI
against German officials for importan
reasons OF state. He Is said to fee
. that at this stage OF the negotiation
with Germany growing out of the sink
ing of the Lusitania and other like act
II would be impolitic for this Government
to do anything that would be likely I
incite public opinion In Germany.
4 Officials are convinced that II TIL
Government insisted upo the with
drawal at this time OF any German OF
fcial of prominence. II might serlousl
menace the success of the present ne
4 gotiations with the Berlin Foreign OF
flee. JUS how long the Governmer
. will maintain this attitude OF forebeaI
y ance in the face OF constantly recurrin
charges is not known.
|