Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-09-28
REVEALS
KA|SERS BR|BE
PLOT IN CONGRESS
Won Bernstorff Asked $4,000 to
Stop War.
S0L0NS TO HUNT TRAITORS
Hefiin Demands Lawmaking Body Be
Purged of Unscrupulous Elements
Declares Some Are Open
to Suspicion.


Washington, Sept. 22-Congress is
astounded at the Bernstorff bribery plot
made public by Secretary Lansing. Two
investigations are to be made to estab-
nsh whether any of the German gov
ernment's $4,000, sought by the
kaisers' ambassador "to influence con-
gress," actually went into the pockets
of members of that body.
In the senate the investigation prob
ably will be made by the lobby commit
tee, and in the house by the foreign af-
fairs committee. Representative Flood
of the house committee will call on
Secretary Lansing to find if the state
department, without disclosing evi-
dence which it might desire to with
hold at this time, can aid congress in
arriving at the truth about how Won
Bernstorf was spending German funds
to influence congress.
Stunned by Revelations.
The publication of Lansing's latest
bombshell, Bernstorff's letter to his
home government, apparently revealing
the fact that he had previously "influ-
enced congress through the organiza-
ton you know of" actually stunned the
capitol.
II am trying to get more Details"
said Chairman Henry D. Flood of the
house foreign affairs committee, when
asked if his committee would call for
an investigation. But it is almost
certain that we will take action"
Representative Tom Heflin of Ala
bama district brought matters to eli
max with stirring speech in which
he called upon the congress to purge it.
| self.
"I don't know what members of
congress have been influenced" he an
| nounced. eff I were permitted to ex-
| press my opinion I could name 13 or
| IL men in the two bodies who in my
| judgment, have acted suspiciously."
Must Preserve Nations Interests.
"We are at war with the most des-
perate bruce force that ever appeared
upon the earth, and we must act as if
we are at war; We must not permit
members of congress to do things not
in keeping with the best interests of
our country.
"Von ABernstorff said he was pro-
ceeding to do what? To use the $780,
600. For what purpose? To influence
congress. Whose pocket did the mon
ey reach?
"I must admit that the conduct OF
some I know has been suspicious, ant
I want to say in conclusion as a mem
ber of this congress repudiate the in
suit For the few I have no word
They deserve the contempt of the
/ American people. In the name of the
congress and the honor of my country
I ask for an investigation"
Members of congress in general de
clared they had been flooded by Ger
man propaganda kilograms, but tina
they had made no effort to trace thu
messages to the responsible parties
Few of the leaders, such as Kitchin
Ferris, Burnett and others would sa,
that anything more subtle than tele
grams had been tried.
Fess of Ohio and Howard Of Georgi
both declared the German propaganda
worked directly. with money changin
hands and reaching government off
cials.
81 can point to men in this hous
who, / believe, received money" de
clared Howard. They certainly ar
more prosperous now than ever be
FORE"
Text of Message Given Out.
! The text of the message, made publ
: without comment is as follows:
} ITO pay out up to $4,000 in ordel
, as on former occasions to inf1uenc
: congress through the organization 70
: know Of, which can perhaps prever
: war. I am beginning in the meantim
to act accordingly. In the above eli
cumstances a public official Germa
> declaration in favor of Ireland is higl
ly desirable in order to gain the SUI
{ port of Irish influence here"