The Nevada County picayune., 1917-09-27

| ~tbi u "hS ah iiIStt thSllAuAlVhs tihN 1 from the remarks of officials it was 1 gathered that the instrument used by the German government was one 0i several peace societies which, masking under the name of peace" have ac. tually served the interests of the cen. tral empires, and are still motivated by consideration of hostility to the policies of the United States
 A sensational feature of the Bern. storf note was that it was dated Jan Iiary 22, the date of President Wilson's peace without victory" address to con. gress.
 Prior to that time, however. in the latter part of December, Secretary Lansing. in interpreting President Will sons peace note. made if clear that the United States might be drawn into the war. and indicated that one of the reasons impellng President Wilson to address the powers at war was to ascertain the objects for which they were fighting. so that this country, if it should he compelled to make a de. ttSipii. Iti@bt btttti bt th i' align itself with one of the two groups.
 It is accepted that neither in De. cember nor in January was the state department aware of the full conneC. ton of Ambassador von Bernstorff with the works of Captain Boy-Ed and Captain von Papen, the naval and mili. tary attaches, respectively, of the Ger man embassy, but it is believed now that the government has complete proof of the direction by Count Von Rernstorff himself of All the activities of German agents, official and unofh- cial, of German nationality and of American nationality.
 Whether the state department is in possession of other evidence indicating the ambassadors activities has not been revealed. but the extraordinary disclosures already made have fixed the belief that agents of the united States government have collected and compiled the entire story of German duplicity and intrigue and that addi- tional chapters will he added.
 Knew Plan of "Ruthiessness."
 The reference to averting war is talk on as an indication that Ambassador Bernstorff had prior Knowledge oi ms governments intention to proclaim merclleSS widespread submarine war fare and that he was equally confident that the United States government could not he easily placated by mere promises The German announcement of its intention to expand it's Snoma- rine activities was not made public un- til January 31. when the world was startled not only hy the determination to remove all restrictions, but by the statement that it would become effcc, tive on the following day. Three days later the United States government had expressed it's disapproval by sever ing relations with Germany.
 That the German ambassador knew of his governments intention was as- sumed 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 obtain modification.
 Small Amount for 5ribe.
 IL has not been assumed that the ann haSsador actually attempted to bribe or personally influence any member "t congress. and doubt that such was his nurpoSc iS supported to some extent bH the comparatively small amount Of money he asked Fifty thousand dol lars. 1t was pointed out would go but short way toward buying the influence of any congressman. JudiciouSly eX- pended. however. if might do much in compepSating paid agents, such as are now known to have belonged to the elaborate machine Bernstorf had so carefully built up for the production of propaganda and for purposes of espionage.
 Search knti.War List.
 As soon as news Of the Bcnstorff message reached the capitol members began hasty search of the files to find the names of the men who voted agninst war. While there was no as serti0n from anyone that anyone Of these members was influenced by Ger man propaganda or money, yet it was pointed out that if such influence was exerted. and If it had any effect, the names of those affected would be shown in the lists of those who op | posed the war resolution.