Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-22
ERNSTORFF ASKS
FOR $4,000 TO
| USE ON CONGRESS
xt of Message From Him
to Berlin Last Janu-
ary Revealed.
OTHER CHAPTER ADDED
| TO GERMAN MAC CHlNATIONS
ggested Influence by Organiza-
ton Which Had Performed
Similar Service Before.
rs HIM AT HEAD OF INTRIGUE
X at Capitol by Indignant Sena-
ors and Representatives of DC.
manding Investigation.
rs HIM AT HEAD OF INTRIGUE
(By Associated Pre-.

tBy Associated PresSl
VASHINGTON. September o1.-The
erican governments publicity spot
ht revealing German intrigue In
trail lands turned to-day upon tho
'enditure of money by the Berlin
reign Office in an effort to influence
hgress on tho eve OF the ruthless
Pmarine campaign which drove the
ted States to war.
ecretary Lansing made public
hout comment the text of mes
fe sent BY Count Won Bernstorff to
lin last January. asking authority
use $4,000 TO influence Congress
ough an organization which, the
FeiEn Office was reminded. had per-
MED similar service before To
(plement this move, Won Bernstorn
Fgeeted an official declaration I'm
or of Ireland for It's effect here.
he organization to be employed
not named in the message, and
Lansing did not discuss It's iden-
y. 1t was freely suggested among
|er oficials. however, that II was
OF the various societies which
pded members II the House and
tate with peace messages when
esident Wilson was asking that a
to OF war be recognized.
USAGE MADE PUBLIC
WITHOUT ANY COMMENT
he text OF the message. made pub
without comment. follows:
request authority to pay out up
$4,000 'tffty thousa nd dollnrs). in
er. as on former occasions. TO in
nee Congress through the organi-
on you know of. which can perhaps
vent war.
am beg inning. in the meantime.
act accordingly.
In the above circumstances. a puhl.c
:ial German declaration in favor OF
and Is highly dssira bic. in order TO
n the support OF Irish influence
This disclosure adds another chap
to the amazing story begun with
blication Of the famous thinner
mn note. In which Germany pro-
sed an alliance with Mexico and
pan against the United States. and
ich has included the German -Swcd-
breaches OF neutrality In Argen-
"a and Mexico. 1t connects the Ger
n government and Count Won Bern
(rff directly aud conclusively with
[chinations which the American
pltc had assumed was part of tho
rld-wide Teutonc intrigue. but
ich many people firmly believed
re carried on or financed In this
lntry by German-Americans with
actual authority from Berlin.
little surprise was occasioncd either
official circles or at the Capitol,
hough members OF Congress were
Ehiy indignant. There was some
X at the Capitol of demanding an
iestigation. and Senator Ovcrman.
hirman Of the Senate Lobby Commit
and Representative Flood, chair
IN Of the House Foreign Affairs
mmittee, arranged to go to the
tte Department and ask for further
formation.
;FLIN WOULD AVE CERTAIN
MEMBERs 1 vEsTIGATED
On the floor of the House. Rcpresen-
tive Heflin, of Alabama. asserted
ht he could name thirteen or four
en members of the two branches OF
ngress who had acted suspiciously
d expressed the opinion that they
ould be investigated. Generally,
weyer, the disposition was to re-
rd as absurd am suggestion that
y part of the $4,000 sought by Won
krnstorff was intended for members
Congress.
Whether the State Department is In
ssession of other evidence indicating
ambassadors activities has not
In revealed, but the extraordinary
closures already made has fixed the
lief that agents Of the United States
wernment have collected and COM
ed the entire story OF German
plicity and intrigue. and that addi-
nal chapters will DO added.
rhe reference to avcrting war is
zen as an indication that Amba ssador
rnstorff had prior knowledge Of his
wernments intention to proclaim a
rciless widespread submarine war;
q, and that he was equally con-
ent the United States government
lid not be easily placated by mere
pmises. The German announcement
It's intention to expand it's sub
rine activities was not made public
til January 81. when the world was
rtled not only by the determination
remove all restrictions. but by the
tement that II would become cf-
tive on the following day. Three
VS. later the United States govern
Int had expressed Its disapproval by
,ering relations with Germany.
That the German ambassador knew
his governments intention was as
med by some officials. although at
time he denied prior knowledge.
those in close touch with the em-
ssyS were given to understand that
Continued on Second PaIe.)