The Washington herald., 1916-04-28
Germany's BungIing Aids.

Yesterday The Herald editorially charged that
the tens Of thousands OF kilograms received by
members Of Congress, urging them to refuse to
support the President in his announced intention
to sever relations with Germany unless inhunian
methods OF submarine warfare are abandoned,
were inspired by propagandists working in the
interests Of Germany. Today The Herald in its
news columns presents proof that the kilograms
are the result Of shameful campaign conducted
and financed by the American Embargo Con-
ference with offices at 1870 North Clark street.
Chicago, an organization which, as its name inr-
plies, sought to bring about the defeat Of the
allies by withholding from them munitions
made in this country.
A circular letter beginning Reverend Sir"
scattered broadcast among the clergymen of the
country, explains the flood Of kilograms to Con-
gressmen. Enclosed with the circular letter were
seven forms OF telegrams to be signed and sent
to Senator Stone, chairman of the Senate Conn
mittee on Foreign Relations; seven forms for
those to be sent to Representative Flood, chair
man OF the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
eight forms for Representatives, and one form for
Senators generally The clergynen to whom the
circulars and forms of kilograms were sent were
urged to sign them and to have them signed by
members of your congregation" They were as
sured: 1--WE will bear all the cost; all we ask
is that you have the messages signed. Send us
the bill for all the expense; check will be
mailed to you at once"
The bungling stupidity which characterizes
the campaign must cause surprise that so many
persons should have been deceived or per-
mitted themselves to be used as tools in an at
tempt to make members Of Congress believe that
thousands of Americans had arisen in spon-
taneous demand that they betray the President
of the United States. In the score or so Of
paraPhrascs OF the demand that Congressman
refuse to support the President, contained in the
forms of kilograms nclosed with the circular let
tcrs three separate references to the posi-
bility that the United States would be "partici-
pated into the European conflict" suggesting that
some OF the propagandsts would fail to pass the
Fteracy test The brazen but thick-witted at
tempt to hoodwink and deceive is an insult to
ordinary intelligence; the effort to persuade mem
berS of Congress to be false to their own cOun-
try is something far worse
Now that the origin of the kilograms has been
exposed, their effcct-if they have any effect at
all-must be the opposite of what was intended.
A searching investigation of the "American En-
barge Conference" and the sources which supply
its exchcquer might. reveal things which it is i'm
Dortant for the officials of our own government
to know. The very fact that such a campaign
was undertaken suggests that the nature of the
German reply to the Presidents utimatum may
have depended in a measure on its success or fail
urc. Were it possible to win Congress over to
the German cause Berlin might reject our demand
haughtily it pleased; but since the attempt
II it ever had the smallest chance to succeed
is doomed to failure by the stupidity Of its per
pctrators and the crudity OF their methods the
Presidents ultimatum must at least be considered
as one coming from nation as yet undivided.