Middletown transcript., 1917-09-29

from the remarks of officials it was
gathered that the instrument used by
the German government was one OF
several peace societies which, masking
under the name of peace" have ac-
tually served the interests of the CEN
tral empires, and are still motivateo
by consideration of hostility to the
policies of the United States.
A sensational feature of the Bern
StOrff note was that it was dated jan
uary %, the date of President Wilson's s
peace without victory" address to con-
greSS.
Prior to that time, however, In the
latter part of December, Secretary
Lansing, in interpreting President Will
sons peace note made it clear tnat
the United States might be drawn INTO
the war, and indicated that one OF the
reasons impelling President Wilson 10
address the powers at war was 10
ascertain the objects for which they
were fighting. 50 that this country IL
it should be compelled to make a de-
cision, might better be prepared TO
align itself with one of the two groups.
1t Is accepted that neither IN De-
cember nor in January was the state
department aware of the full connec-
ton of Ambassador Won Bernstor1
with tie works of Captain Boy-Ed ana
Captain Won Papen, the naval and mill
tary attaches, respectively. of the Ger
man embassy, but it is believed now
that the government has complete
proof of the direction by Count Won
Bernstorff himself of all the activities
of German agents. official and unoln-
cial, of German nationality ana OF
American nationality.
Whether the state department Is III
possession of other evidence lndlcatlns
the ambassadors activities has not
been revealed, but the extraordinary
disclosures already made have fixed
the belief that agents of the United
States government have collected ana
complied the entire story of German
duplicity and intrigue and that aoui-
tional chapters will be added.
Knew Plan of "RuthIessness."
The reference to averting war Is tax
en- as an indication that Ambassador
Bernstorff had prior knowledge OF MS
governments intention to proclaim
merciless widespread submarine war
fare and that he was equally confident
that the United States government
could not be easily placated by mere
promises. The German announcement
of it's intention to expand It's suDHa-
rine activities was not made public un-
til January 81. when the world was
startled not only by the determination
to remove all restrictions. but by the
statement that it would become effec-
tive on the following day. Three DAYS
later the United States government
had expressed it's disapproval by sever
ing relations with Germany.
That the German ambassador knew
of his governments intention was as
sumed by some officials, although at
the same time he denied prior knowl-
edge and those in close touch with the
embassy were given to understand that
he did not approve the course ana
worked to obtain modification.
Small Amount for Bribe.
1t has not been assumed that the am
bassador actually attempted to brlbe
or personally influence any member or
congress, and doubt that such was MS
purpose is supported to some extent by
the comparatively small amount OF
money he asked. Fifty thousand DOL
lars, it was pointed out. would go but a
short way toward buying the influence
of any congressman. Judicl0usly eA-
pended, however, it might do much IN
compensating paid agents, such as are
now known to have belonged to the
elaborate machine Bernstorff had so
carefully built up for the production
Of propaganda and for purposes OF
espionage.
Search Anti-War List.
AS soon as news of the Bernstor1f
message reached the capitol members
began hasty search Of the files to ind
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
Dointed 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.
Il 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 l did not
know that we were a corrupt people
and would betray our country for Ger
man gold.
"The telegram sent by Count von
Bernstorf is an admission of the fact
that Germany had corruption fund in
the United States for the purpose OF
CARRYING on German propaganda.
'If members have acted in Suspi
cious fashion by the introduction of res
olutions or bills or by speeches In con
gress or out of congress, that leads tC
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"