Evening star., 1917-09-22
Representative Heflin Asks
Investigation; 13 or IA in
Congress Acted SuSpici0uSiy

y d
the news Of the exposure Of the Won Bern
eeor6 cablegram, Representative Heflin of
Alabama demanded an investigation in a
speech which met with applause from the
door and galleries. The Alabama man. in
his denunciation Of the methods used by
tRe former ambassador. approached the
verge OF making serious charges against
ceren1n members of Congress. unnamed by
him. but acting in suspicious fashion"
n part, Representative Heflin said:
was forced to the conclusion that
u Germany thought we were a cowardly
people and afraid to fight. but did not
know that they had reached the conclu-
saon that we were a corrupt people and
would betray our own country for Ger
man money. The President in his mes
eags upon the war mentioned alien infiu-
enceo. sinister influences. at work in our
country. and the telegram sent by Count
yUn Bernstorn is an admission of the
ths United States for the purpose Of
enHyfng on the German propaganda
ne telegram that he sent is a reflec-
Ee1on upon and an insult to the Congress
- fhe United States and the country.
1Ae representative of the German
government admits that he has used
. fund prior to this time to influence
Congress. I do not know what he re-
k1efB to. but / know that this is Q serious
ElAarge made against Congress. know
nat It IL a serious reflection upon Con-
Breoa. We gentlemen are honored with
EB1aces In the greatest lawmaking body
- the world. and the Constitution con-
4erS upon US the power to act when
WAR threatens or when war is forced
upon the country. We have exercised
that power. and before we were called
upon by the President to exercise that
|2pOwer, to do what was best for this
country in that hour. the representa-
i've OF the German government, sitting
mere IN the capital. was carrying on
IN corrupt propaganda to influence the
|9ewmaking body of this nation against
Il tnta ~ t-
Lthe interest of the German government
Il do not know what members Of
kCongress have been Influenced. If
we're permitted to express my opinion
Fin the two bodies who, in my judg-
Ement. have acted in suspicious fashion.
But would not do that. l think. how
Eever, that this charge ought not to go
|unnoticed. i believe II ought to be
|1nvestigated by this Congress- II MEM
bers have acted in suspicious fashion
by the introduction of resolutions or
bills or by speeches in the Congress or
cut of Congress. that leads to the con-
Eviction that they are not loyal to this
government at this time. they ought
| TO be investigated, and. if found guilty,
they ought to be expelled from the
Aoor of this House and from the floor
of the Senate of the United States II
there is a man in either body who is
mot giving whole-hearted support to
the n-chief of our Army
ana Navy ne Is not entitled TO seat in
either branch.
I'VE are at war with the most des-
perate brute that ever appeared upon
the earth and we must act like we are
At war. We must not permit members
Of Congress to do things that are not
| in keeping with the highest and best
Interests OF our country when we are
in war.
Count Won Rernstorff suggested that
they express friendship for Ireland. He
|.eaid ii would aid them in getting GER
tain influences over here. | do not know
to what ne refers. But the paper saws
that shortly after that telegram was
sent Germany aid express friendship
for Ireland. for home rule. for that
country and for India SO il seemed the
German government carried out that
part of his suggestion.
Where Was Money Spent9
Now. then. Count Won Bernstorff said
he was proceeding 10 do what? To use
THAT $4,000. For what purpose? To In
4uence the Congress of the United
States. Now, then. has that been done
where was that money spent? Whose
pocket did il reach? l must admit that
the conduct of some that | know has
been suspicious. and l want TO say in
conclusion. a member of this Con-
Eress l repudiate the insult against the
great body of clean. honest. loyal Amer
fcans who compose the two bodies of
congress. The few who have acted sus-
pfciously. in my mind. l have word
Tor. They have my supremest contempt
and deserve the contempt of the Ameri-
can people. and in the name of the Con
gress and the honor of my country,
ask for an investigation of the charges
of Won Bernstorh in order to who
- corrupt in this matter"