The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
WILD RUMORS ARE HEARD IN GERMANY ABOUT WAR PLANS Roosevelt to Command Army Being Raised to Attack
 Germany CUBA PROSPEROUS ]. AS NEVER BEFORE Is Probably Only Nation Whose Pros- perity Has Grown by Leaps
 and Bounds Since the
 War Started
Ky HOLLAND

New York. March 11.--(Speeial)--i the mail which was received from Germany a day or two ago there was letter writ ten by a wealthy woman of American birth, but through marriage of German citizenship, to her financial agent in this city in which she implores her agent to sell as soon as possible and at whatever price he can get the securities which are owned by her. but which are kept in the United States
 An explanation of this peremptory re- quest followed in the letter. It appears that throughout Germany certainly in Berlin. a report is widely prevalent that the United States is preparing to begin war against Germany. The report also states that the American army which is now being organized for the purpose of taking the offensive against Germany ia to be commanded by Theodore Roose- welt. Furthermore. the report asserts that as soon as this war is begun all securities owned by German citizens, but held in the United States. will be con- all that is possible upon her securities she asked that they be sold and the money kept in the agents hands until fur ther communication was made.
 Of course, the agent was ready upon the instant to reply 10 this communication. which he did by cable. The cable dis patch enphatically. although. tersely. de- nied the accuracy of these rumors. There Is no organization, he cabled under way s,, ks.. 4 tack Germany. There is no disposition on the part of the people to maintain any other than strictly neutral and so far as neutrality permits friendly relations with Germany. There is not the slightest dan ger of confiscation nor would there be any danger if we were at war with Ger many.
 A little investigation resulted in the in ference that the report which has reached Berlin, and which is now spreading throughout Germany to which the letter alluded is based entirely upon a miscon- ception of the purpose which Is behind the proposition to organize a security legion. Colonel Roosevelts name is associated with the report. first, because he is so well known in Germany, and second, be- cause he has approved this plan A lit- tie reflection should have persuaded those in Germany who possess American securi- ties held here that even if there were war with Germany the possessions of private individuals would not be touched. Eng
 land has not confiscated securities held in London for the German owners and individual wealth of Germans in Lon don is as secure as it would be If it were in Berlin. That is true also of Rus sia and of France. Very likely the com munication cabled to this woman in Ger many will result in a public denial of these reports
 That there is d good deal of opposition to this plan is made manifest by state ments which some who are of high mili- tary power feel justified in making. Gen. Nelson A. Miles this morning, without either speaking in approval or condem- nation of the plan, called attention to the fact that in no other country but the United States would an organization of that kind be permitted In some coun- tries it would be regarded, if attempted. with the greatest suspicion. On the other hand, General Wood, Colonel Roosevelt and others are convinced that an organ ization of this kind is expedient and that it is neither in spirit nor in fact in vio- lation of the constitution of the United States, although some military authorities have intimated that it does, in spirit at least, violate the constitution. At all events, the organization has made a pro- found impression in Germany, especially on account of the association of Colonel Roosevelt's name with it.