The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-11

cision of the Kaiser he left with the Sec
rotary n formal communication to the
same effect. but adding that II was the
desire of the German Government that
the United States would use its good
Offices with G~crmany's enemies to obtain
cafe conduct for the return Of the at
taches TO Germany.
The wish was also expressed, but not
made In any sense a condition. that the
United States would obtain safe conduct
for TIE successors TO be named as mill
tary and naval attaches NJ the embassy.
Will Consider Request.
Secretary Lansing told the Ambassa-
dor that he would be glad to undertake
TO arrange safe conduct for the return
home of Capts. Won Papen and Boy-Ed.
He gave no assurances regarding their
successors, Indicating hat he would ocn-
slider this request when the names OF
the successors were announced. II 10
understood the United States has no in
tention OF pressing a request for safe
conduct for N successors OF the two
officers.
Although II was learned definitely that
the written ommunication left with Sec
rotary Lansing did not question the
grounds on which the request for the
recall OF the two attaches was made.
1t Is regarded as possible In German
quarters that the German Government
may at some later time express the
View that the action OF the American
Government was not justified.
Capts. Won Papen and Boy-Ed rom
dercd themselves Objectionable to the
American Government. II was learned
to-day. chiefly because Of their connection
with persons involved In the various
passport frauds. attempts to tie up by
strikes or blow up American munitlon
plants and other plots against the neu-
trality and welfare OF the United States.
Germany Not Told All.
Tho only reasons given to the Gerran
Government for the recall demand. how
ever. were that the two men had been
engaged In activities In connection with
German military and naval matters
which had rendered them persona non
grata to the American Government and
In the handling OF which they had been
IN com unication with certain persons
against whom criminal proceedings had
been. were being and would be brought.
IT was learned to-day hat a list Of
these persons was given to the German
Ambassador. At fret Secretary Lansing
mas given as the reasons only the refer.
ence to their activities In connection with
Herman military and w matters.
consequently when a formal demand
Tor the reasons came from Berlin, the
original statement was ainpl!fed.
Except for the more or less perfume
tory task OF getting safe conducts for
the two men, the State Department re-
CARDS the incident as closed.
IL Ambassador Bernstorff fel. any re-
sentiment over his mission this afternoon
ne was able to conceal 1t. On leaving
'he state Department he was smiling
and greeted those whom he knew in the
corridors pleasantly. He declined, how
ever. to disclose the object OF his visit,
aging that he would leave that to Mr..
Lansing.
The request for safe conduit Ter tbs
recalled attaches was sent ro.right 10
the British. French. Russian Ard Italian
embassies. The understanding hs.s In
that they will be granted.
The Governments Of the Allies, how.
ever. are known to regard as entirely
different the proposition Of granting safe
d TO n SUCCESSORS to Capts. Won
l'apen and Boy-Ed whom Germany
might wish to send to the United States.
They feel. 1t is said, that although they
can gladly and with beneft to them.
selves afford the United States the
means OF getting rid Of these W men.
whose activities have embarrassed the
Allies as much as the United States, they
could not be expected to AFFORD the
means whereby Germany might put men
in the places of the two attaches to carry
on similar activities.
The American Government, on the
other hand. feels that because Of Its un-
fortunate experience with Boy-Ed and
Won Papen II Is not called on to get Dro.
lection for their successors and for that
reason is not likely to ask safe conducts
for them.
While Germany has not insisted that
hi lie done. the view at the German
Embassy is known to be that the United
STATES should do SO ON the ground that
IL would be unfair to leave Germany
without military and naval attaches here
while Germanys enemies are 80 repre-
sented.