Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-09-28
Plan to Use Money to Influence
Congress on War ArOuses
Legislators.
SEEN UNMASKED
Disclosures Made by Secretary Of
State Lansing Regarded ne Show
Ing Ambassador Directed Ger
man Intrigue.

WashingtOn.-Conv proof that
German diplomatic agents in the
United States violated all rules of in
ternational courtesy and conspired to
influence congress by the use Of money
to prevent this country from going to
war to defend itself from the attacks
Of the German government is seen In
the publication by Secretary of State
Lansing of a note from Count Won
Bernstorff, former German ambassador
to the United States, asking for author
Lty to expend $4,000 for the purpose
Of influencing congress.
The publication of this note was a
greater bomb-shell than any of the 9TH
er revelations of German duplicity that
have been made by the state depart
ment. Neutral diplomats, members of
congress and others were literally as
founded by the disclosures. 1t has
been no secret that the German diplo-
matte representatives In the United
States conspired in various ways to
prevent this country from entering the
war on the side of the allies but the
proof that German money was used or
was to be used for the specific pur-
pose of influencing congress furnished
an amazing climax for all the revela-
tons that have gone before.
Telegram Sent by 6ernstorff.
The telegram, exposed by Secretary
of State Lansing, was sent through
some secret channel to the Berlin for
eign Office on Jan. %, 1917, by Count
Won Bernstorff, former ambassador of
Germany. 1t was as follows:
II request authority to pay out up
to $4,000 (ffty thousand dollars) In
order, as on former occasions, to infu-
ence congress through the organiza-
ton you know of, which can perhaps
prevent war.
II am beginning In the meantime to
act accordingly.
Elm the above circumstances a public
official German declaration in favor of
Ireland Is highly desirable, in order to
gain the support Of Irish influence
here"
Some congressman expressed the
view that the money was spent In a
campaign by telegraph just before the
United States declared state of war,
when millions Of messages We're poured
In upon members of both houses.
German propagandists used the tele-
graph wires freely to further their
purposes.
The message OF Count Won Bern
storff which was revealed by Secretary
Lansing was sent last January, at .
time when there were no outward in
dicati0ns of a break between the
United States and Germany. This, Off
Gals said, showed that Count Won
Bernstorff was fully aware Of the
kaiser's plans to launch ruthless sub
marine warfare, thus repudiating Ger
manys pledges to the United States.
Exposes German Deceit.
State department officials declined
to comment upon the object hoped to
be realized as result of the publica-
ton OF the Bernstorff message. 1t was
believed, however, to have as its pur-
pose supplementing the general policy
of exposing to the world the malicious
deceit that characterizes German dip.
lomacy, the revelation of German In.
spiration of peace propaganda In
| America.
1t was denied that there was any In
tent to reflect upon congress in max
ing the dispatch public at this time
1t could not be ascertained that there
was any design In selecting any par
ticular moment for the publication and
| 1t was asserted also to be mere co
incidence that the exposure occurred
| Just after the arrival of Count Won
| BernstOrff at GOnstantinople as Ger
man ambassador to Turkey.
Oficials made 1t plain that the gov
eminent had some Information of Ger
many's policy of duplicity before Bern
storff requested authorization to con
tinue his campaign to influence con
gress. There was qualification in Off
cial quarters that the ambassador die
not presume to intimate to his govern
| ment that any amount of propaganda
could influence President Wilson.
officials asserted that the govern
ment had an Idea of the identity Of the
| organization referred to by Ambassa
dor Bernstorff, but, there being no alb
solute certainty. none would be named
1t was said to be unfair to draw the