The sun., 1915-06-21

was purchasing war materials sup
posedly for one Of the Allies. This
purchasing agent acknowledged yes
terday that he had dickered for the
Krags with the woud-be campaign
contributor, that he had known later
that he was trying to get the rifles In
Washington.
This purchasing agent insisted, how.
ever. that his negotiations with this
man had terminated several months
ago because he did not believe that he
could deliver the rifles. He declared
his dealings were entirely legitimate
and that he had absolutely no knowl-
edge of the offer Of any campaign con-
tribution.
1t is apparent, though, that
the campaign giver must have
had pretty definite idea where
he could Immediately dispose Of the
rifles in the event of their falling
into his hands on that score he
would have no cause to worry. for II
has been a matter Of common knowl-
edge that many agents. with millions
of dollars behind them. have been in
the market ready TO take the guns
on a moments notice and prepared to
pay a price which would yield millions
could deliver them.
So far as can he learned the men
who have actually been pulling the
strings in an effort to get these Krag-
Jorgenscns in no instance have d.
rectly represented any of the bellig-
erent Governments. The efforts have
not been made in that way. In fact.
IL has been contended on behalf OF
most Of the belliSerents that they
would not cndeavor to purchase these
rifles when IL became known that the
United states desired to hold them un-
Ill after the war.
Yet In all the wild scrambling for
the fabulous profits that were to he
made through commissions on this
transaction there was no difficulty in
finding men who had the financial
backing to swing the big deal and
who were rsady to take a chance on
marketing the guns
What the offer Of this 81 200 900
campaign contribution really meant
can best he appreciated when Il is re-
called that the total amount of
Roosevelt's campaign fund in 1904 was
only about $1,000 900. while the total
OF the Mckinley campaign fund in
1900 has been given as about SO, 900 900.
The s1,200,000 reported to have been
offered In connection with the effort 10
obtain the Krag rifles was more than
Mr.. Wilson's total campaign fund in
the last election.
MIR. Contribution Talks,
The interview between a represerta-
tive OF THE SrN and the man whose
name is mentioned in connection -ith
the krag-Jorgensens took place In the
presence Of two other parties As a
matter Of convenience the man will be
referred to here as Mr. Contribution.
THE Sun man asked Mr.. Contribution
X reports were true that he had ATTEMPTED
TO obtain from the President certain
discarded war materials He refused 70
confirm or deny and demanded to know
the source OF the reports before he would
commit himself
The representative Of THE SrN asked
II It was true that Mr.. Contribution had
offered a sl.000.O00 campaign Kilt.
Again Mr.. Contribution refused 20 con
Arm or deny. When II was suggested
that an opportunity was being offered
him 10 state the facts or anything
known by him in regard to the reports
Mr. Contribution declared he would
make no statement. He added that under
no circumstances would he make any
statement in reference to matter re-
lat!nE TO the President
He refused also TO throw any nch,
on reports that his remarkable efYor,
had been promptly and emphatically
squelChed.
Mr.. Contribution finally made an an.
peal TO THE Sun not to print anything
In regard to him. He asked who was
interested. and added that he didn, be-
Neve the public was in the least
THE SUN man replied that he believed
the public would be much Interested and
that 1t had a right to be interested in
the report that an offer OF 81 900 oOC
campaign contribution had been mad. &c
the President in connection with the ef
forts 10 obtain these Krag rifles
Mr.. Contribution finally warned tn,
Sun reporter that he'd better be careful
He spoke of powerful people interestef
and said that not even great paper lik,
THE Sun could safely go about ab. sing
people. To the reply that THE SuS wa.
not deslrous OF abusing anybody. but wa.
merely seeking to publish the news. Mr.
Contribution said that IL anything wa,
started he guessed I'VE can step quite {
way with you"
some Seekers Money Mad.
The thing that has amazed Officials
In Wash!ngton and we'll Informed men 1,
this city is that these extraordinary at
tempts to get the l<rag rifles shculC
have continued in face OF a practical Ger
tainty that they never could be obtained
The only way to account for Il Is the fac
that some folks have gone money ma,
over the prospect OF the great fortun
that stood ready at hand for the mai
who would succeed. Conditions wh c
ordinarily would be accepted AS fina
have in this instance been waved asid
and the game has gone merriy on Il
face of the most emphatic public state
ments from Secretary OF War Garr!so
that these rifles would not be dispose
OF during the present war. Never 10
one moment has there beel any chanc
Of the President and his advisers con
sentlng To tho sale OF the guns. Thei
determination increased with the report
that have reached them from time
time OF underground activities, and tn
reported offer OF the big campaig
contribution will undoubtedly only sd
10 the strength OF the stand that he
have taken.
The inside history OF all the effort
that have been made since the beginnin
of the war to buy these 355,0O0 CUR
never will be fully told. II the fac,
could be laid bare record would +
presented which for Its intrigues an
attempted dark dealings would surpas
the most cxtravagant tale OF fiction.
All the elements that Stevenson c
Dumas might have drawn from h
brain are found here fresh at hand
millions Of dollars dangled before avar