Evening journal., 1917-09-21
Rx the United Press.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2i.-Former
German Ambassador Count Won Bern
storH was an active anti-American
plotter. while his nation and the
United States were still friendly and he
asked the Berlin foreign Oilce, January |
q. for $4,000 10 influence Congress, |
"as on former occasions"
His activity was in the nature OF |
influencing Congress through an un- /
named organization, which he inform
ed his government, would perhaps
prevent war
The state Department made this fact
public today In announcing the text or
message he forwarded on that date.
The State Departments announce
ment said:
THE Secretary OF state issues the
following message from Ambassador
Won Bernstorn To the Berlin foreign
oflce. dated January %, 1911.
"1 request authority TO pay out mp
TO $4,000 In order as on former occa-
sions TO influence Congress through
fthe organization you know, which can
perhaps be Of service.
"1 am beginning, In the meantime,
TO act accordingly.
"Tn the above circumstances q pub
lie official German declaration I'm favor
of ireland Is highly desirable, in order
TO aaln the support OF Irish influence
here"
This revelation on the heels Of the
Swedish German Mexican Philippine
exposure and coupled with the hm-
mermann Mexlcan-J Japanese plot note,
clinches this governments contention
that Germany carried on active plot
tlnas and propaganda all over the
world.
This startling message. however
was the first positive evidence made
public that BernstOrff had personal
guilty knowledge OF the German inTi-
que in this nation.
II had long been suspected that he
was the directing head OF anti-Ameri'
can work and this government hao
! proved that his colleague, the Austrian
Ambassador was conducting a vicious
A plot while the two countries were sill
. at peace. .
A Bernstorff's advice concerning IRELAND
, was apparently needed for In one ol
: her peace pronOunciamentos Germany
made much OF the fact that she Ws
I for home rule in Ireland and IN lndla
: The Bernstorff note shows clearl,
n that the envoy had been intriguing tol
s some time because 10 pointed out ina
Il the money would be paid out "as OF
r f0rmec occasions
o The date Of the communication wai
Q at the time when Germany and I'M
e limited states were directly on thl
J. verge OF breaking relations and In lesi
t than ten days later the Teutons pa
+ into effect their unwarned submarin
= ing decree.
II Is significant also that durinl
this particular period BernstOrn wa
= telling the press that he would d.
all IN his power to prevent whr be
twsen Germany and the Unite
States. And he continued TO say eve
after the break that he would us
= his influence upon reaching Berlin
I avoid actual bostilities. He wa
= known 10 be sending messages to h
home government at that time el
deavOring 10 stralghten out Il
s tangled relations OF the two cOul
O tries.
!, Bernstorff, whole protesting 10 fe
kindly toward America, wished
- avoid war simply for the reason tn
American strength would turn q
balance against Germany, autAoriti
say.
The link between Germany and {
Irish-Americans has been shown Z
m clearly to this government and I
IN Roger Easement affair showed rath
IN conclusively that Germany was see
ing Irish-American syinpathies
q" trying 10 create trouble for Engla
n and home rule for Ireland.
e. The State Department did not a
,r- nounce the name Of the organlzati
which was 10 handle the $500
though probably investigation h
given tho government a line on
Identity.
- Just how the message came into
ate American Governments possession
kept secret. as in the case with
Documents proving Germauy's guilt. Il
systematic revelation Of Ieuton
tr;qae on this continent and elseWh'
Is deemed likely to have the effect
not only stirring up the United ote'
10 its danger. but also further GOWN
inr the German people that their s''''
meut is a sinister thing ,,,-
Nc,vs of the State Deparp ny -
Lotions Of German intrigue IN us ., y;
ne nv stirred Congress as no previous - y.
,te curssfance Of the war. ~ st. .,o,l
an not in session today out ~ ''.e -;so,
roouns. committee-Toons aiio oo'ii~0'