New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-30

twice. For some reason he forced the
frat agents 10 break their contract and
thus rendered himself free TO continue
his financial enterprise with Bolo alone
Frenchmen Used
In German Scheme
The first agents in question are two
men: Pierre Lenoir, son OF well-to-do
banker who died recently, and CASTOR
Desouches, lawyer, of Paris. The two
were arrested on October u as a result
of the revelations made concerning
them in the other scandals. Their
hearing has shown some interesting
In July, 1915, these two men founded
a society for the purchase OF Humoert S
paper. The price was 1O,OOO,OOO
francs, and this vast sum they tur-
nished readily. Investigation has shown
that il was brought to them. by an
agent named Uhrenmann, VINO was
able TO enter France as a representa-
tive Of the Swiss family Schoe!ler,
strong financial group. The question
naturally arises whether Schoeller was
able 20 furnish this amount from MS
own free capital. Banks in France or
I
movement Of moneys in his behalf.
Lenoir, when arrested, claimed that
Schoeller had liquidated some OF his
holdings in the textile industries OF
Schafhausen and Derendingen and
that he wanted 10 buy lie Journal IN
order TO set up in France q current OF
opinion favorable TO all Switzerland
Between March and July, 1915, Lenolr
and Desouches had made several trips
TO Switzerland, though Lenoir was
modified soldier, supposed TO be on
duty. In Switzerland these men had
communicated with German agents,
among them Prince Rsdowitz, anu per-
haps, too, Prince Won Hohenlohe, head
of the German secret service IN swift
erland. Lenoir visited also Nine.
Beauregard, a direct agent OF the Kai-
ser, woman who made personal
monthly reports az Berlin.
The arrangements for the purchase
of lie Journal" were effected. School
Ter was TO act as the Swiss interme-
diary and the Frenchmen were 10 get
1 100000 francs as bonus. The money
was given TO Schoeller by Munir Pacha,
ex-Ambassador Of Turkey TO France.
The whole sum was in French bank
notes of various denominations, all
showing peculiar wear and tear. Since
no such vast sums had been displaced
either in France or in Switzerland,
there seems no doubt at all that this
money, ragged and worn. comes from
the invaded districts of France. where
the Germans had robbed and pillaged
at will. This makes the crime Of the
traitors only the more disgusting.
At any rate. LOO shares. a control
ling interest, in lie Journal" were paid
for. Lenoir bought them from the ma
jority holder, Henri Letellier. AT the
beginning of 1915, although he had
asked for them repeatedly, the shares
belonging TO Leuoir had not yet been
made over TO him. Strong pressure was
being brought to bear on him from
Switzerland, but he was unable 70 OBJ
tain the signatures which would nave
made him the owner and dictator Of the
editorial policy Of the paper.
Humbert's attitude toward him had
changed. and Lenoir discovered TO his
chagrin that the Senator had suspi-
cions concerning the sources of his
money. He was therefore at n disad-
vantage and had 70 permit Humbert
10 break his contract. The Senator
threatened 10 reveal his visits to
Switzerland and the story Of his meet
ing with Munir Pacha, the former Turk
ish Ambassador Lenoir tried 20 per-
suade Humbert 10 yield and even had
recourse to VI. Malyy, former Minister
of the Interior, asking him to use his
influence with the Senator. Lenoir's de-
mands were ignored, and his dangerous
position forced him out of the treach-
erous ring that was closing around the
freedom and sincerity OF the French
press.
One of the most thrilling incidents
In the acknowledgements investigation
was the barring of Munir Pacha's role
in this huge scheme for vitiating the
patriotic fcryor of France. The plan By
which Germany was 70 accomplish her
uefarious work was as follows: With
Lenoir as director of this influential
paper. an eniissary 10 Germany and
Austria-Munir Pacha himself-was TO
furnish articles from Switzerland
shich would cleyerly combine an ex-
position of the tremendous forces OF
the Central Powers with a description
Of their pathetic desire for peace with
France. Munir Pacha, residing in
Geneva, has admitted thst ne was in
trusted by the journal with the deli
cate enterprise of investigating peace
possibilities in Germany. lie was will
ing 20 undertake this on the condi-
ton that nothing was published con-
trary 70 the interest Of Germany or
Austria. On November 10, 1916, Munir
Pacha communicated the first results
Of his pacific enterprise 20 one Of the
editors Of the journal" Here il is. an
insidious expose of the extent and skill
OF German tecret propaganda:
In the different conversations
which had after my return 10 Ber-
lin and Vienna, and in the course OF
which | examined the Austro-German
feeling toward France, | was natu-
rally led TO think Of peace, of its pos
sibility and its eventual terms. In
case you think IL wise TO make these
controversies public, ask you to en-
phasize especially two points:
1. The desire Of Austria and Ger
many TO conclude, with France in
particular, not peace at any price,
but peace advantageous 20 both
parties. There is no doubt that this
can be arranged
.. / am certain that Austria. in
accord with Germany, would neglect
no opportunity that might arise TO
"A a.. ~ E.e