Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-09
Washington Expels All !"
GermanE Employees MUS.
Consular Attaches Formerly Connected with En-
bassy and Any One of Many Consulates in
America Requested to Leave-the Presence of
Kaiser's Subjects Dangerous

Washington, July S.-All Germans,
formerly connected either with the
German embassy or any one of the
many consulates in America. have been
requested to leave the United States.
Notification that their presence in
America is undesirable has been sent
tC them by the state department.
The Germans. who are principally
clerks or servants, were not told that
they were suspected of being spies.
The inference that their loyalty to the
German emperor might make it diff
cult for them to remain in this coun-
try without attempting to send infor-
nation of a military character to their
government. was made clear.
Among the first to go will be Helm
rich Schaafhausen, formerly attached
to the Germany embassy, but left be-
hind by Count Won BernStorff and since
attached to the department of German
interests of the Swiss legation.
In addition to Mr.. Schaafhausen.
there is long train of clerks and serv-
ants-at least they have served in such
capacities in this country, although
this government has no means of
knowing definitely what the exact sta
tus of most of them is with the Ger
man government. There is ground for
belief that some of them are persons
OF more Importance to the German in
telligence system.
DR.. Georg Barthelme. the author of
the much discussed dispatch to the
Cologne Gazette at the time diplomatic
relations were severed, is still in
Washington, but is required to report
to certain government officials in per-
son twice a week.
Although the bulk of the German and
Austrian embassy stats departed with
their ambassadors, two of Germany's
allies still have their representatives
here.
Abdul Hak Hussein Bey. charge of
the Turkish embassy pleaded with the
state department not to insist on his
departure. His wife is an English
woman. and on the ground that her
health might be affected by going to
Constantinople. the Bey has been per-
mitted to remain here. The Bulgarian
minister also is still at his legation.
Tightening Spy Net
There are many indications that the
government is taking steps to tighten
the spy net and make even more diff
ficult the getting of military informa
ton to Germany.
When the government agreed to al
low the transfer of many former Ger
man employees to the Swiss legation
and consulates there was no state of
war between the United States and
Germany, but the declaration of war
and the knowledge that Germany
maintains an efficient spy system here
have changed the governments atti-
tude.
The Grimm Hoffman affair in Swift
zerland, in which a member of the
Swiss federal council was forced to re-
sign after being discovered as a Ger
man intermediary seeking to influence
Russia toward peace, had a deep effect
here lin convincing officials that at
least some members of neutral gov
ernments were using their positions to
bring pressure on the bellgerent pow
ers.
Statement
The state department Saturday is
sued the following:
"At the request of the department Of
State made two weeks ago, the Swiss
legation is requiring all German sub
iects in its employ or the employ OF
the various Swiss consulates through