South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-11-12
Statement Concerning Story
That Austrian CounSeIS Are
Mixed Up in Deals Given
Out at Washington.
Dr.. G0RICAR, AUTHOR
BRANDED AS TRAITOR
Former Agent of Franz Josef
Government Said to be in
League With Russ and
Serbian Officials.

WASHINGTON. Nov. IA pro-
found sensation was caused I'm Wash
ington today by the latest development
in the prO-German and pro-Austrian
propaganda situatiOn-the statement
published In the Providence, II. L.,
Journal OF DIT Joseph Goricar. for
mer AustrO- Hungarian consul at san
Francisco, that all Austrian consuls in
this country are mixed up in the crea-
ton OF strikes and destruction Of mu-
milton plants and that Count Won
BernstOrff, the German ambassador,
and Consul General Won Nuber are di-
recting their movements. So serious
were the charges regarded that offic-
ials refused to discuss them in any
way.
Pres,t Wilson himself has directed
that agents OF the department Of JUS
tice at once start an investigation of
the charges made by DR.. Goricar. If
the allegations are proven officials in
timated a sensation far bigger than
the one caused by the request for the
recall OF DR.. Dumba, Augtro- Hungar-
ian ambassador, will be sprung.
The Austro-H Hungarian embassy Ia
ter issued the following statement:
"Ex-consul DR.. Goricar, formerly at
San Francisco. has been on leave Of
absence at the time of the outbreak
porarily attached 20 the Austro- Hun
garian consulate-general in Berlin,
Germany. There, very soon after
wards, he obtained knowledge that the
Austro- Hungarian authorities had re-
ceived information about his secret
connections with enemies of Austria
Hungary and evidently fearing detec-
ton he suddenly left his post without
permission and disappeared. Later on
fl was learned that he had gone to
Italy and was staying in Rome where
he rendered his resignation, thereby
preventing his dismissal.
while in Rome Ii was discovered
that he was in close relation with Rus
sian and Servian agents, obviously
with the purpose Of going to the
United States to use his knowledge of
the centers of Slavic immigration COM
ing from the monarchy in the service
Of the Pan-Slaciv propaganda and
with the intent Of disseminating dis
loyalty among our immigrant against
their country of birth. The AustrO-
Hungarian embassy has been informed
that quite a number Of southern Slavs
from the monarchy have been enlisted
10y the agents of the allies and left
this country I'm order TO fight against
the Austro-Huagarian army.
IL is very probable that Dr. GOrlcar' s
subversive activity contributed TO
these very regrettabIe acts of treason
which certainly without changing the
outcome OF the war. will be OF the
graVest consequences for those who
will be made prisoners of war.
THE Austro- Hungarian embassy
was Informed several months ago OF
DR. GOrlcar's agitatOry propaganda
carried on in this county but has re-
Trained until now from taking COun-
ter measures. being aware OF the dis
grace brought about by the fact that
a former consular officer has broken
in such a way, the faith and alleg-
lance to his fatherland. In view, how
ever. of these present statements made
TO the press which contain the strong
est accusation against the represent
atives Of AustTia-Hungary, the en-
bassy must emphatically declare these
accusations as false and absolutely
baseless as silence, otherwise would
be taken as acknowledge and would
create the belief that our consulates
are actually engaged in activities in
violating the laws Of this country"