The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-09-21

1t has not been assumed that the
| ambassador actually attempted te
bribe or personally to influence any
member Of congress, and doubts that
such was his purpose are supportedto
| some extent by the comparatively
small amount of money he asked.
Fifty thousand dollars, II was point
ed out. would go but a short way to-
ward buying the influence of any
congressman. Judiciously expended.
| however, IL might do much in COM
pensating paid agents such as are
now known to have belonged TO the
| elaborate machine Bernstorff had so
carefully built up for propaganda.
and for purposes Of espionage.
DIRECT CONNECTION
BELIEVED ESTABLISHED.
Information in the possession OF
the government, but not yet reveal
| ed, is said to show conclusiyely .
more direct connection Of the Ger
man machine in America with the
Irish question than that indicated in
Count Won Bernstorfrs message. The
records are said to contain the names
OF men well known In America.
Today's announcement by the
state department is the FIRST Official
utterancs OF the government with
reference to the German ambassa-
doris active personal participation In
the maze Of plots and intrigue con-
Quoted for Germany's benefit in this
country since the beginning or the
European war.
The evidence Of Count Won
Bernstorffs personal activities in
connection with German propaganda
here bears the date of President VIII
sons address to congress. Jan q.
reciting his appeal 10 the warring
nations TO enter into peace negoia-
tions. At the same time the Presi-
dent was addressing congress. ap~
rarentiy Count Won Bernstorff was
appealing to his government Cor
funds with which to influence cone
gressional action.
NOT FIRST TIME
BERNSToRFF ACTED.
1t was not the first time. apparent
ly, that Count Won Bernstorff had
sought to influence congressional ac-
ton. this being eloquently proclaim
ed by his reference to former oc-
casions". @.
Up to the time of Captain Boy
Eds and Won Papen's recall, Won
BeTnstorff, apparently for diplomatic
reasons, had sought to remain clear
great volume Of pro- German actiyi-
ties conducted here by the attaches.
From disclosures concerning Boy-
Ed and Won Pappen's manifold
activities here. officials apparently
obtained the impression that Count
Won Bernstorff in most instances had
left the conduct OF German
propaganda in the hands OF his
subordinates with only casual super
vision of their activities, IL any.
Intimations have been more or less
frequent, however, at trials and 9TH
er proceedings instituted against the
that Won Bernstorff had at least q
general knowledge Of the work which
they were conducting.
RECALL BERNsToRFF's
DEMAND FOR PAPERS.
oficiaIs recalled today Count Won
Bernstorffs action in connection
with the seizure in April, 1915, of
important papers and documents at
the ONCE OF Wolfe Won Tgel in New
York. Won Igels office. ostentatious-
ly an advertising agency, was raid
ed by department Of justice agents.
who, after a struggle. subdued Won
Igel and seized the papers in hia
possession. Count Won Bernstorff at
once protested and demanded their
return. Copies were made OF the
and Won Rernstorn was
told IL he would personally declare
them TO be the copies OF the embassy.
the originals would be restored.
The affair remained in that state
to the present day. Count Won
Bernstorn apparently was unwilling
to take oflcial responsibility for tlaa
evidence Of German intrigue.
BELIEVE PAcIFIsTs
USED TO AID GERMANY.
Some officials are inclined to be-
lieve that the method OF influencing
was the using OF pacifists TO rake
the chestnuts out OF the fire. rather
than to any direct subordination of
At least one Of the most active
flooded Washington
telegrams just prior 70 the war, and
during the days immediately fol-
lowing the break in relations. Tele-
graph wires were congested with
hundreds of thousands OF telegrams
and mail pouches were filled with
literature calculated to influences
to vote against any
measure looking 20 war with Ger
many. How important a role the
German diplomats played behind the
scenes in that instance is not
definitely known, but Ii always has
been assumed that Teutonic agents
we're largely responsible for this
activities that so embarrassed The
President and had the effect Of sup
porting the opposition that developed
IN congress.
Secretary Lansing adheres % hts
not 20 discuss this
latest disclosure, and refused 60 e.
veal the manner in which the cabia
to Berlin came into the hands OF tbs
government.