New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-04
Conduct In military
and Naval Matters"
Offensive.
QUICK RECALL
OF BOTH SURE
Bernstorff Notified Three
Days Ago, but Action
Was Kept Secret.
lyrom Tho Tribune Buresu.l

6SnlnBtOn, Dec. o.-lne humin-
istrstion has yielded at last to the
long continued popular demand for
action against the attaches Of the
German Embassy who have headed
the German system here, and has
demanded Of Count Won Bernstorff
the recall Of Captains Boy-Ed and
Won Papen. II was explained to-day
that the notice had been given to the
Ambassador three days ago, but was
kept secret until he could communi-
cate with his government.
Secretary Lansing's announcement
was as follows:
ION account Of what this govern
ment considers improper activities in
military and naval matters we have
requested the immediate recall Of
Captain Boy-Ed and Captain Won
Papen, as they are no longer accept
able to this government"
The Secretary added that the reve-
lations at the Buenz trial were "only
an incident" In the Boy-Ed case, and
not to be interpreted as the actuating
motive. He stated also that the
military and naval matters" re-
ferred to In his announcement had no
relation to the army and navy Of the
United States.
No specifications as TO the charges
against either attache were given,
but there is little secrecy either as
TO their gravity or extent. Wash
ington has been wondering for
months why action was not taken,
and even State Department officials
admitted weeks ago that there were
ample grounds for demanding the
recall of both these officials and
others.
Nubers Recall Expected.
II was confidently believed tonight
that similar action would follow
promptly against the Austrian Con-
sui General at New York, Alexander
Nuber Won Peneked, and probably
against others Of the alleged direct
ors Of the German campaign. II Is
known that evidence hardly less
damaging against several of the ac-
credited agents of both Germany and
Austria is in the hands of the De-
partments Of Justice and State, and
now that the initial step has been
taken, few doubt that general
cleanup will be made.
While admitting that the State De
partment had ample evidence for de-
manding the recall of the two attaches
several months ago, a high administra-
ton official said tonight that because
Of the delicate relations between the
United States and Germany at that
time the administration feared that
demand for their recall would be dan
eerous. It was pointed out that the
Lusitania and Arabic cases had
strained relations TO the breaking
point and that the recall OF vor Papen
and Boyd would have infamed public
opinion in Germany and would have
been an act Of unnecessary proyoca-
ton.
The same high official declared that
evidence against Boyd and Won Pspen
has been piling up since that time.
New information. the nature Of which
is not disclosed, came to hand recent
ly and made the recall Of the two
diplomats imperative.
Ambassador Won Bernstorf called at
the State Department this morning.
but no announcement on the subject
was made. The ambassador refused
any statement, and, as the matter lies
wholly in his hands, no one here to-
night has information as to his prob
able action.
Berlin to Comply at Once.
There Is no doubt. however, that the
request of the United States will be
complied with Immediately. Under
diplomatic usage no case need be made
out against a foreign diplomat. all
that is needed being an intimation
from this government that he Is per-
soma non grata. His recall must fol-
low as . matter Of course.
The question most discussed Is
whether the two men will leave the
United States or remain to continue
as private agents Of their government
the work which has made them dis
tasteful to the United States. II Is be-
lieyed that this will dspend to large
extent on the attitude'of this country
Germany could hardly keep here agents