The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-12-24
TAKEIT TO COURT?
Germany Would Prosecute
Those Who Libel BernStOrff.
Only the President Has Right
to Criticise Him.

Washington. Dec. 24.-IndicatioEs
were given today that the German
government is making plans to de-
mand the punishment for criminal
libel of those who have made acccsa-
tons against Count Won Bernstorfr,
German ambassador. The German
embassy has complained several times
to the state department OF attacks
against the ambassador.
1t is understood that the reply has
always been that the ambassador has
recourse to the courts and il was indi-
Gated today that action along that line
is now contemplated. fN
The German attitude is that Count
Won Bernstorff is amenable only to
the president for any possible offensc
and must not be subjected to private
accusations This view is based on
the following principle of interna-
tional law, as propounded in Moore's
digest:
It's Presidents Business.
"An ambassador or other represen-
tative of one foreign nation residing
in another is entitled to be treated
with respect so long as he is permit
ted to continue in the country to which
he is sent, and especially ought not TO
be libeled by any of the citizens. II
he commits any offense, ii belongs. in
our country, to the president to take
notice of it, and not to any individual
citizen. The president may dismiss
him or desire his recall, or complain
to his sovereign and require satisfac-
ton"
This position is strengthened by an
unofficial declaration by a high ad-
ministration official that Ambassador
Bernstorff so far as the evidence
gathered discloses. is not implicated IN
any of the alleged plots and conspir-
acies under investigation by the de-
partment of justice.
1t will be urged by the German gov
eminent that unless this government
takes steps to suppress slanderous ut
teranceS and publications rejecting
on the honesty and integrity of AM
bassador Bernstorff. his usefulness to
Stroyed.
Many Prosecutions.
Department of justice officials to-
day stated that there will be great
activity in the courts against alleged
conspirators and plotters after the
first of tho year. 1t was stated au-
thoritatively that the United States
district attorneys at New York. San
Francisco and other places where in
dictments have been asked, are ready
to proceed with the prosecutions. The
evidence in all these cases has beer
submitted to high officials OF the de-
partment of justice before any action
was taken in the courts. 1t was stated
today that the government has unus-
ually strong cases against the alleged
plotterS and that convictions are alb
Solutely certain.
The charge that a "slush fund" was
maintained for the purpose of influ-
encing members of congress to pass
legislation placing an embargo on the
shipment OF munitions to the allies.
mot with denials on all sides here to-
day. Officials and members of con-
gross alike declared hat they had
never heard of such fund.
Chairman Ovcrman, OF the senate
lobby committee, is not in the city.
but a member of the committee said
today that if there is any evidence
even tending to show that efforts have
been made to influence members OF
congress, it would be brought before
that committee. The committee has
been a continuing body and can be
reconvened at the call of the chair
man.