The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-21
Determined To Find "Organi-
zatiOn" Used by BernstOrff.
Members of Congress Extreme
Iy "Lucky" at Card Game.
BEJEWELED WOMEN SPIES!
Congressman Asserts Some
Money Was Used Directly.
"Think 1 Can Pick Out Men
Who Got It'-Rep. Howard.

Washington, Sept. 21.-Determina-
tion to unearth the "organization'
thru which former Ambassador Won
Bernstorff worked in his efforts to
prevent war, developed in congress to-
day. House and senate leaders, as
tonished at the spectacular announce
ment of Secretary Lansing, immedi-
ateIy demanded searching investiga-
ton.
That an anization-powerful and
richly supported-was at Bernstorff's S
command is certain in light of Secre-
tary Lansing's expose. it was agreed
ION the hill" But it operated with
out the legislators knowledge of its
financial backing, they declared.
Saw Women Agents in Hotels.
''Von Bernstorff had a big organiz-
alton and an expensive one working
on congress-" said Representative
Adamson, of Georgia. There were
not only telegram sending agencies
but in Washington hotels, I, myself,
heard many be-jeweled and be-dizened
women talking peace l thought at
the time they were German spies and
later my suspicious were confirmed.
The matter should be carefully in
vestigated.'
There were those whose comments
Smacked OF lire.
"I have heard" said Representative
Heflin, of Alabama, that there is a
card gambling room in Washington,
conducted by Germans, where MEM
bers of congress in favor of peace at
any price are extremely lucky when
they play cards"
Representative Howard, Georgia,
stated this money was not all used
for kilograms. Some was used direct
ly and l think 1 can pick out the
men who got it. They look a whole
lot more prosperous than they ever
did before"
Pacifist Members Dubious.
Representative McLemore, Texas,
author of several anti-war resolutions,
said:
"I never saw the signs of any such
organization at work on the house.
Possibly. one of the organizations
which bombarded us periodically with
kilograms both for and against war is
meant. Aside from the receipt of teIe-
grams, 1 know of nothing that could
possibly be termed propaganda No
man representing any organization
ever spoke to me-
Senator Norris, Nebraska, termed
one of the 'wilful twelve" said he
had heard repeatedly that both Ger
many and England used large sums
of money in this country. Personally
know nothing of it. No organization
1 know of got any German money or
any other kind. Assuredly no German
money was used to influence the mem
bers of congress who were against
war;
One of "Kaiser's Dozen" Talks.
Vardaman, Mississippi, another of
the "wilful twelve" said he never
talked with anybody in the senate or
out of it about vote against war. l
never permit any man to lobby with
me, nor to discuss public questions
with me. Hence 1 know absolutely
nothing about the use of German mon
ey in congress or elsewhere and 1 can
make no comment on the state depart
ment's statement"
Senator Stone:
THAT is an insult to this govern
ment. 1t is absolutely intolerabIe
, Any representative of a foreign gov
ernment who makes such an attempt
to interfere with the affairs of this
government well deserves to be given
his passports
II have never heard of such a
| thing" said Senator Kirby, Arkansas
nobody ever approached me, you bet
VINO had been paid by GERMANY"
Il don't believe there was anv such
/ organization" Kenyon, Iowa, "mem-
bers of congress. are very helpless in
cases like this. Any scoundrel can use
the names of congressman in WAYS
lIIdl might even cOncelVably ruin
them. But as for use of German
money to influence congress, 1 don't
believe it,
Money Spent in Propaganda.
In view of the fact that charges OF
/ large expenditures of money in Ger.
man propaganda have not been de.
MED" said Senator Reed, this new
/ evidence is cumulative. The money
evidently was spent in propaganda Il
is possible that there are men in this
/ country big enough scoundrels to take
money for that purpose.
L would be deeply interested il
there is any charge that any member
of congress knew that organization
seeking to influence him were fl
nanced by Germany"
Senator Norris disclaimed persona
knowledge of use of money by Ger
man interests. but added.
L have heard it repeated" he said
that both Germany and England
used large sums of money in thi,
country. No organization that 1 know
of got any German money or an!
other kind. Assuredly no German
money was used to influence member
of congress who were against war
The Bernstorff message was sent yol
may notice, at a time when Presiden
| Wilson was against war"