The Carlisle independent., 1917-09-27
CAPITAL AGHAsT ATLATEST PROOF
 OF TEUTON PLOTS
Plan to Use Money to Influence Congress on War ArouSeS
 Legislators.
BEUNST0RFF SEEN UNMASKED
Disclosures Made by Secretary of State Lansing Regarded as Show ing Ambassador Directed Ger
 man Intrigue.

ing AfffgaSSdQOF OffSSksQ GGT-
 man Intrigue.
 ingt0u.-Convincing proof that German diplomatic agents in the United States violated all rules of ln- ternational courtesy and conSpired to influence congress by the use of money to prevent this country from going to war to defend itself from the attacks of the German government is seen in the publication by Secretary of State Lansing of note from Count ven Bernstorf, former German ambassador to the United States, asking for author fly 10 expend $50,000 for the purpose of influencing congress.
 The publication of this note was greater bomb-shelI than any of the oth- CT revelations of German dupicity that have been made by he state depart Inent. Neutral diplomats, members of congress and others were literally as founded by the disclosures. It has been no secret that the German diplo- matte representative ia the United States conspired in various ways to prevent this country from entering the war on the side of the allies but the proof that German money was used or was to be used for the specific pur- pose of influencing congress furnished an amazing climax for all the revela- tipns that have gone before.
 Telegram Sent by Bernstorff.
 -t-l-. 4..i..z.,.-.. ..-~,,,.,4 4,.- Soara+a rv. of State Lansing, was sent through some secret channel to the Berlin for eign office on Jan. 22. 1917. by Count von Bernstorf, former ambassador of Germany. II was as follows:
 T request authority to pay out up To $5O.000 (ffty thousand aollars) in order, as on former occasions, to influ ence congress through the organiza tion you know of, which can perhaps prevent war.
 T am beginning in the meantime to act accordingly.
 Tn the above circumstances q public official German declaration in favor of Ireland is highly desirable, in order to gain the support Of Irish influence here"
 Some congressman expressed the view that the money was spent in campaign by telegraph just before the United States declared state of war, when millions of messages were poured in upon members of both houses.
 German propagandists used the tele- graph wires freely to further their purposes.
 The message Of Count von Bern storff which was revealed by Secretary Lansing was sent last January, at time when there were no outward in- dieations of a break between the United States and Germany, This, otfi- cials said, showed that Count won Bernstorff was fully aware of the kaIser's plans 10 launch ruthless sub marine warfare thus repudiaring Ger manys pledges to the United States.
 Exposes German Deceit.
 State department officials declined to comment upon the object hoped to be realized as q result of the publica- ton of the BernstOrff message. It was believed, however. to have as it's pur- pose s7Ipplementing the general policy of exposing to the world the malicious deceit that characterizes German dip lomacy, the revelation of German in- spiration of peace propaganda in America.
 It was denied that there was any in- tent to reflect upon congress in mak- ing the dispatch public at this time. l. could not be ascertaiaed that there was any design in selecting any par tlcuIar moment for the publication and it was asserted also to be mere co. incidence that the exposure occurred inst after the arrival Of Count von Bernstorff at Constantinople as Ger man ambassador to Turkey.
 Officials made it plain that the gov ernment had some information of Ger many's policy of duplcity before Bern sforff requested authorization to con time his campaign to influence con gress. There was qualification in oili- cial quarters that the ambassador did not nresnme to intimate 10 his govern ment that any amount of propaganda could influence President Wilson.
 officials asserted that the govern {. ment had an idea of the identity of The organization referred to by Ambassa- dor Bernstorff, but, there being no ab- soIute certainty, none would be named.
 It was said to be unfair to draw the
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