The midland journal., 1917-09-28

clined to believe that the method of In
f1uencing was the using of pacifists to
take out the chestnuts rather than to
any direct subordination of congress
men,.
At least one of the most active or
ganizations flooded Washington with
kilograms just prior to the war and
during the break in relations. Tele-
graph wires were congested with hun
dreds of thousands of kilograms and
mail pouches were filled with litera-
ture calculated to influence congress
men to vote against any measure look
ing to war with Germany.
How important role the German
diplomat played behind the scenes in
that instance is not definitely known,
but it always has been assumed that
Teutonic agents were largely respon-
sible for the activities that so embar-
rassed the president and had the eff
feet of supporting the opposition that
developed in congress.
Lansing Remains Silent.
Secretary Lansing adhered to his de-
termination not to discuss this latest
disclosure and refused to reveal the
manner in which the message to Berlin
came into the hands of the govern
ment. While the United States was
one of the neutrals certain privileges
had been extended to the German en-
bassy in the transmission of messages,
but only after their contents had been
made known.
1t is known that the message reached
Berlin, but whether the German for
eign office ever was able to get re-
ply to America is not known. 1t was
indicated that 1t came into possession
Of the state department some time
after it was sent, perhaps after the
break in relations and possibly after
the declaration of war.
Whether the state department is in
possession of other evidence indicating
the ambassadors activities has not
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.
Search Anti-War List.
AS soon as news of the Bernstorff
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 Of
these members was influenced by Ger
man propaganda or money, yet it was
pointed out that if such influence was
exerted, and if it had any effect, the
names of those affected would be
shown in the lists of those who op-
posed the war resolution.
II was forced to the conclusion some
time ago." Representative Heflin said,
in discussing the revelations, "that Ger
many thought we were cowardly peo-
pie and afraid to fight, but did not
know that we were a corrupt people
and would betray our country for Ger
man gold.
"The telegram sent by Count Won
Bernstorff is an admission Of the fact
that Germany had a corruption fund in
the United States for the purpose Of
carrying on German propaganda.
"f members have acted In suspl-
cious fashion by the introduction of res
olutiOns 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, If found
guilty, they ought to be expelled from
the floor of this house and from the
floor of the senate Of the United
States"