The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-09-21
PLOTTED WHILE
TALKING PEACE
CONTINUED from page -

rule for Ireland.
The state department did not an
nounce the name of the organization
which was to handle the $4,000
though probably investigation has
given the government a line on It's
Identity. Just how the message
came into the American government
possession, is kept secret as in the
case with all documents proving
Germanys guilt.
The systematic revelation of Teu
ton intrigue on this continent ano
elsewhere is deemed likely to have
the effect of not only stirring UP the
United States to its danger, but also
further convincing the German peo-
pie that their government Is sinister
thing.
News Of the state departments lat
est expose of German intrigue in this
country stirred congress as no pre-
yious circumstance of the war. The
senate was not in session today, but
In the cloak rooms, committee rooms
and corridors there was buzz Of con-
yersation Ringing on the mysterious
Organization" through which Bern
storff alleged he operated.
Long before the house met at noon,
there was talk of Investigations and a
sentative in the lower branch. 1t
was planned to read the Lansing rev.
citation before the house this after
noon.
Both houses of congress developed
strong anti-war sentiment during the
various crises through which the
United States and Germany struggled
I previous to the war declaration.
1t is a coincidence that on the day
Bernstorf sent his message, Presi-
dent Wilson read an address in the
senate outlining the kind Of peace
he United States could join in
guaranteeing. 1t was the famous adj
dress, asking all nations to adopt
the Monroe doctrine as the doctrine
of the world"
The president at that time almost
prophetically denounced the net of
intrigue and selfish rivalry" which
drew nations into competitions of
power.
Only six days previous, Herr Zim
hermann had sent his secret note to
the German minister in Mexico City,
proposing the MeXico-Japan
alliance against the United States.
Twelve days later-February 8
Bernstorff was handed his passports.
The state department indicated that
1t is convinced of the identity of the
organization Bernstorff referred to,
though there is sufficient doubt to
prevent announcement. The depart
ment tended to dissipate the idea Of
any actual expenditure of money on
congressman direct. 1t was intimate0
that propaganda kilograms sent to
congress had their origin in German
money.
Bernstorff may have sent his mes
sage with the aid of some neutral
diplomat. Though it apparently
cepted and decided.
The state department said that
even before he sent his message,
Bernstorff knew through secret
channel" that his government plan
ned unrestricted summarizing and
clearly foresaw the break with the
United States. Therefore Germany
was trying TO render America impoL-
ent by keeping her busy with her
Mexican troubles and influencing
pacifist congressman to prevent war.
The department would not COM
ment upon whether jeremiah O'Leary,
former Congressman Buchanan or
the labor peace council had been in
any way connected with Bernstorff' $
message.
Congressman Aroused
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21--Determ-
nation to unearth the organization"
through which former Ambassador
Won Bernstorff worked in his efforts
to prevent war developed in congress
today. House and senate leaders
,f-L -
nouncement Of Secretary Lansing,
Immediately demanded searching in
quiry.
That an organization - powerful
and richly supplied-was at Beru-
storff's command is certain in light
of Secretary Lansing's expose, 1t was
agreed on the hill" But it operated
without the legislators knowledge of
its financial backing, they declared.
won Bernstorff had a big organ
ization and an expensive one working
on congress-" said Repres entatibe
Adamson, Of Georgia. There were
not only elegram-sending agencies.
but in Washington hotels, |, myself,
heard many be-jeweled and be-dizen-
ed women talking peace. l thought
at the time they were German spies
and later my suspicious were confirm.
ed. The matter should be carefully
Investigated"
There was those whose comments
Bmacked OF fire.
Il have heard" said Representative
Helm, of Alabama, that there is a
card gambling room in Washington
conducted by Germans, where mem
bers Of congress in favor of peace al
any price, are extremely lucky when
they play cards"
Representative Howard OF Georgia
stated: This money was not al
used for kilograms. Some was used
directly and l think l can pick out
the men who got it. They look Z
whole lot more prosperous than they
ever did before"
Repres entative McLemore, Texas
author Of several anti-war resolutions
said: Il never saw the signs of any
such organization at work in tn,
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