The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-09-21
congress INVADED
Ambassador Knew of Threatening
Break With Fatherland as
Soon as President
PACIFISTS USED ONLY
AS CATPAW FOR ENEMY
Raked Chestnuts Out of Fire
When Principals Dared Not
Appear in Transactions

Washington, ID. G., Sept 21.-Secre-
tary Lansing today made public an
astonishing addition to the series of
disclosures of Germna intrigue in
America and elsewhere-a message
sent by Count Won Rernstorlr last jan
uary, to the Berlin foreign Office re-
questng authority to pay out $4,000
to influence congress, through an un-
named organization. apparently known
to the Berlin authorities.
Count Won BernstorM indicated in
his message that money had been paid
this organization on former occasions
to perform the same work. The text
of the message madep ublic, without
comment, follows:
'"To pay out up to $50, COO in order
as on former occasions, to influence
congress through the organization yen
know of, which can, perhaps, prevent
war. 49,. '..>,.
81 am beginning in the meantime to
act accordingly. -. ,,...rs., ..s..
an the above circumstances, a. pub!
lie, official German adecla aration insfa-
vor of Ireland is highly desirable in
order to gain the support of Irish in
Huence here"
The text Of the message was given
out without comment in the same
manner as were the messages of Count
Luxbrug. German minister to Argen-
tine, which had disrupted relations be-
! tween Argentine and Germany, and
the letter of German minister, Won
Eckhardt, Mexico City, recently made
public.
May Be More Evidence.
Whether the state department is in
possession of other evidence indicat-
ing the ambassadors activities, has
not been revealed, but the eXtraOr-
binary disclosures already made have
fixed the belief that agents Of the
United States government have col
lected and compiled the entire story
of German duplicity and intrigue and
that additional chapters will be
added.
The reference to avoiding war is
taken as an indication that Ambassa-
dor Won Bernstorff had prior knowl-
edge of his governments intention to
proclaim a merciless. widespread sub
marine warfare, and that he was
equally confident that the United
States government could not be easily
placarded by mere promises. The
German announcement of its intention
to expand it's submarine activities was
not made public until Jan. II, wnen
the world was startled not only by the
4 tn
tions but by the statement that it
would become effective on the follow
ing day. Three days later the United
States government expressed it's dis
approval by severing relations with
Germany.
Knew Government Intent.
That the German ambassador knew
of his governments intention was eX-
pressed by some officials, although at
the same time he denied prior knoWi'
edge and those in close touch with
the embassy were given to understand
that he did not approve the course.
and worked to secure modification.
It has not been assumed that the
ambassador actually attempted to
bribe or personally to influence any
member of congress, and doubts that
such was his purpose is supported to
some extent by the comparatively
small amount of money he asked.
Fifty thousand dollars, it was pointed
out, would go but short way toward
buying the influence of any congress-
men. Judiciously expended, however,
it might do much in cOmpenSatlng paid
agents such as are now known to have
belonged to the elaborate machine
Bernstorff had so carefully built up
for propaganda, and for purposes OF
espionage.
German Machine Here.
Information in the possession OF the
government, but not yet revealed, |"
said to show conclusicly more dl-
rect connection of the German ma
chine in America on the irish QucS-
tion than that indicated in ID Count
Won Bernstorf message. The records
are said to contain the names OF IEel
well knOwn iE America.
Today's announcement hy the stale
department is the first ofclai utter
ance of the government With reference
to the German ambassador acuNe
personal participation in the maze Oh
nlot and intrigue conducted for Ger
manys benefit in this country since
the beginning of the European war
The evidence of Count Won Bernst0rt1's s
personal activities in connection with
German propaganda here bears the