The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1917-09-27

| the German government Was OHc Va
| several peace societies which, masking
under the name of peace" have &C.
tually served the interests Of the CEN
trail empires, and are still motivated
by consideration Of hostility to the
policies Of the United States.
A sensational feature Of the Bern
storff note was that it was dated jan
uary %, 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 VIII
sons peace note, made it clear that
the United States might be drawn into
the war, and indicated that one OF the
reasons impelling President Wilson to
| address the powers at war was TO
ascertain the objects for which they
were fighting, so that this country, II
it should be compelled to make de-
cision, might better be prepared to
align itself with one of the two groups.
1t is accepted that neither In De-
cember nor in January was the state
department aware of the full connec-
ton of Ambassador Won BernstorH
with the works of Captain Boy-Ed and
Captain Won Papen, the naval and mill
tary attaches, respectively, of the Ger
man embassy, but it is believed now
that the government has complete
proof of the direction by Count Won
Bernstorff himself of all the activities
of German agents, official and unoffi-
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 be added.
Knew Plan Of "RuthIessness."
The reference to averting war is tax
en- as an indication that Ambassador
Bernstorff had prior knowledge of his
governments intention to proclaim
merciless widespread submarine war
fare and that he was equally conhdent
that the United States government
could not be easily placated by mere
promises. The German announcement
of it's intention to expand its suDma-
rine activities was not made public I'M
til January 81, when the world was
startled not only by the determination
to remove all restrictions, but by the
statement that it would become effec-
tive on the following day. Three days
later the United States government
had expressed its disapproval Dy 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 knowl-
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 Bride.
II has not been assumed that the am
bassador actually attempted to bribe
or personally influence any member OF
congress- and doubt that such was MS
purpose is supported to some ext mt by
the comparatively small amount OF
money he asked. Fifty thousand dol
lars. it was pointed out, would go but a
short way toward buying the influence
of any congressman. Judiciously ex-
pended however, 1t might do much In
compensating 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 Anti-War List.
AS soon as news of the Bernstorf
message reached the capitol members
began 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 or
these members was Influenced by Ger
man propaganda or money, yet 1t was
pointed out that If such influence was
exerted, and il it had any effect. the
names of those affected would be
shown in the lists of those who op-
posed the war resolution.
~ was forced to the conclusion some
time ago." Representative Helm said.
in discussing the revelations, "that Ger
many thought we were cowardly peo-
ple and afraid to fight, but / did not
know that we were corrupt people
and would betray our country for Ger
man gold.
1.-THE telegram sent by Count Won
Bernstorff is an admission Of the fact
that Germany had corruption fund IN
the United States for the purpose OF
carrying on German propaganda.
eff members have acted in suspi-
cious fashion by the introduction Of res
oIutions or bills or by speeches in con-
gress or out of congress, that leads to
the conviction that they are not loyal
to this government at this time, they
ought to be investigated, and, IL found
guilty, they ought to be expelled from
the floor of this house and from the
floor Of the senate Of the United
CfotoS