Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-13
PLOT BY FOREIGN
AGENTS ALLEGED
Former Austrian Consul Charges
Propaganda for Destroying Mu-
nitions Factories Here.
OFFICIALS MAKING INQUIRY
Austro-Hungarian Embassy En-
phatically Declares Accusations
Aro F,1co and Pacelacc
OFFICIALS MAKING INQUIRY
Especial to The Times Dispatch.

wASrIINGToN, November 12.-Prcsi-
dent Wilson to-day took personal
charge of the investigation into the
charges made by Or. Joseph Goricar.
former Austrian consul ut San Fran
cisco. regarding the activities in this
country OF agents Of Austria and Ger
many.
Or. Goricar charges that Austrian
consuls In the United States, working
under the direction of Consul General
Won Nuber and Count Won Bernstorf
the German ambassador. are active in
propaganda for destruction Of muni-
tions factories and fomcntinE strikes
among the workers
1t was indicated in official circles
that the President has come to the
conclusion that "A supreme effort must
be made TO stamp out any propaganda
inspired by foreign agents. which is
intended TO interfere with American
Industries.
The actual developrnents OF the dav
were AZ follows:
The state Department called the at
tention OF the Department OF Justice
10 the publication OF DR. Goricar's
statement.
Attorney Gencral Gregory. at the
White House for the Cabinet meeting
conferred with Presiden, Wilson
On his return 10 the Department Of
Justice. II was admitted tha. "A tele-
gram had been sent TO John r. Rathon,
editor OF the Providence. r. l.. Journal.
which printed Dr. Goricar's statement
asking hin, 10 submit all the facts in
his possession.
An agent OF the department was sent
10 confer with Dr. Gor.car.
EMBASSY ISSUES STATEMENT
nI-SEyN(. q ~,
Tho Austrian embassy issued state
ment denying DR.. Gor!cars charges
and accusing him. in turn. of con
sptracy with Russian ana Serbian
agents.
Tho administration is deeply con-
cerned BY the frequency OF. fires re-
Gently In manufacturing plants and on
steamships, the efforts TO cause labor
troubles in munitions plants. ard DR..
Goricars warning that the United
States Will soon be called upon 10 face
grave situation"
The Department OF Justice now has
ESQ field agents engaged In investigat-
ing the alleged activities OF foreign
agents in this country. OF this num-
ber l5o for some time have been de-
voting all their time TO the work. Tn.
remainder. engaged in routine work
have put in part OF their time In the
investigation.
officials do not deny that an *.
tremeiy serious international situation
may develop. The principal foreign
agents mentioned from time 10 time
in connection with the propaganda are
tho following:
Captain Boy Ed. naval nttache OF the
German embassy.
Captain Franz Won Papen. military
auache of the German embassy.
Alexander Won Nuber. Austrian con-
sul-general at New York
MENTIONED CONSpICUouSIY
IN RECALL OF DIMBA CASE
Captain Won Papen and Consul-Gen-
eral Won Nuber were both mentioned
conspicuousiy in the Dumba case. AT
that time ii was hintcd in official cir.
cles that this government might ask
for the recall OF the military attache
and cancel the cNcquatur OF the Aus
trian consul-general.
Officials OF the Department of Justice
indicated that many, of the statements
in Or. Goricar's charges were not new
to the department. and that they were
interlocked with the facts previously
brought out in the case OF DR. Dumbo
One new point made by DR. Goricar il
was said. was that James f. L. Archi-
bald. the bearer of the discriminating
dispatches for DIR. DumSa, was in the
office OF the Austrian consul-gcneral
when the papers were prepared and
that he evidently knew the character
OF their contents. This was denied By
Archibald upon his return to this coun-
try after his detention by the British
authorities.
At the German embassy il was said
that the ambassador was out Of the
city. and that nothing was known there
OF DR.. Goricar's charges. Inasmuch as
Ambassador Won Bernstorff is accused
by DR.. Goricar of directing the cam
paign OF interference with American
factories. 1t is believed here that Lc
Will take up the matter officially with
the State Department.
The Austrian embassy here de-
nounced Goricar's published statement
as untrue. and announced 1t would try
10 find some way TO prosecute him.
Goricar, the embassy said, left his post
on leave and failed to return.
secretary Lansing to-day declined to
comment on the charges
QUIT BECAUSE HE WOULD
NOT PERFORM WORK or spy
Goricar is accredited with making
the statement that he resigned after
fifteen years in the Austrian consular
service because he declined to perform
the work OF spy. lie charges that
while consul at San Francisco Com
mander MaNimilian Burstyn tho Ans
trian naval attache in Washington or
dered him to gather plans OF the forti
fications OF San Francisco harbor ana
along the Pacific Coast. and 10 rot
especially details Of the works at
Bremerton NavyYard. When he re-
fused, Goricar is accredited with saw
ing, he was transferred to Berlin.