Macon beacon., 1917-09-28


This ought to end forever" he
said. amy and every doubt IN the
mind Of any American as to the Jus
lice Of and necessity for this war
1t proves that the German government
was seeking oil along to split Us into
factions, by corrupt means Of neces-
,ary. possibly hoping in time to win
the war In Europe and then humllate
and subjugate US. He who Is not
whole heartedly for the war runs
grave risk Of being suspected Of get
ting n part Of the fifty thousand dol
lars. This Is an honest congress, ana
all its members will resent this insult
to It's intelligence and honor
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 ana
compiled the entire story OF German
duplicity and intrigue and that hddl-
tiona chapters will be added,
Knew Plan Of "Ruthlessness."
The reference to ayerting war Is TAX
en- as an Indication that Ambassador
Bernstnrff had prior knowledge OF his
governments intention to proclaim
mcrciless widespread submarine war
fare and that ne was equally conhdeht
that the United States government
could not be easily placated by mere
promises. The German announcement
Of It's intention TO expand It's subma-
rine activities was not made public ul'
I'll January 81. when the world was
stnrtled not only by the determination
to remove all restrictions, but by the
statement that II would become enec-
tive on the following day. Three days
later the United States government
had expressed It's diSapproyal 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 ana
worked to obtain modification.
Small Amount for Brlbe.
II has not been assumed that the am
bassndor actually attempted to Drlbe
or personally influence any member OF
congress, and doubt that such was his
purpose Is supported to some extent by
the comparatively small amount or
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, 1t might do much In
compensatlng paid agents, such ms are
now known to have belonged to the
elaborate machine Bernstorff had so
carefully built up for the production
OF propaganda and for purposes OF
espionage.
Search Antl-War List.
AS soon AS news Of the Bernstorfi
message reached the capitol members
began a hasty search Of the files to find
the names Of the men who voted
against war. While there was no as
sertion from anyone that anyone OF
these members was influenced by Ger
nun propaganda or money, yet 1t was
pointed out that If such influence was
exerted, and If 1t had any effect, the
names Of those affected would bt
shown In the lists of those who op
posed the war resolution.
II was forced to the conclusion somt
time ago" Representative Helm said
In discussing the revelations, that Ger
many thought we We're cownrdly peo
pie and afraid to fight, but | did no
know that we were corrupt people
and would bctray our country for Ger
man gold.
"The telegram sent by Count vol
btl HSltln ~ an AblHiHoi'h VI wv A'N
that Germany had n corruption fund II
the United States for the purpose o
carrying on German propaganda.
"lf members have acted in suspl
cious fashion by the Introduction Of res
outions or bills or by speeches In cor
gress or out of congress, that leads t
the conviction that they are not loyG
to this government at this time, the
ought to be investigated, and, II foun
guilty, they ought to be expelled froI
, the floor Of this house and from tn
floor of the senate of the Unite
} States"
, Propaganda Still Lives.
: Senator Husting was one of the frs
to make declaration after the stat
= department had made Its spectaculu
disclosure.
? Although Bernstorff Is gone i
said, "the spirit of Bernstorff sti
2 lives, and trust the department I
! Justice and the secret service will {
e to the bottom Of this thing and th'
. the organization which has been bui
up In this country through the effor
: of the German government will
: rooted out and utterly eliminated.
This is highly interesting inform