Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-22

sure. was u permit OF closer examtna-
tion into tho ambassadors actual par
| ticipation In them.
In this Connection officials recalled
to-day Count Won Bernstorft's action
in connection with tho seizure In April.
1915. Of important papers and docu-
mcnts at the office of Wolfe Won lgel
In New York. Won IEels office.
ostensibly an advertising agency, was
raided by Department Of Justice agents.
who. after a struggle. subdued Won
Isel and seized the papers in his pos
session. Count Won BernStorf ut once
protested and demand their return.
Copies wero made Of tho documents.
and Won Bernstorf was told that If
he would personally declare them to
be- the property of the embassy, the
originals would be restored.
UNWILLING TO TAKE
OFFICIAL, RESPONSIBILITY
Tho affair remains in this state to
the present day. Count Won Bernstorff
apparently was unwilling to take Of
ticial responsibility for the evidence of
German intrigue which thus foil into
tho American governments hands.
The contents Of these documents has
not yet been disclosed officially. al
though 1t was not denied vt tho time
OF tho seizure that the papers con-
tained revelations Of prime Importance
The suggestion was made that by
Organization" tho ambassador might
have meant any one of the different
so-called peace societies that were ac-
tive at that time. That may have
been true but 1t was learned that
State Department officials do not know
what the ambassador did mean.
1t was assumed. however. that he
referred to an organization he had set
up. although some officials were in
clincd to believe that the method of
influencing was the using of pacitsts
to rake out the chestnuts rather than
to amy direct subOrnRtion of Con-
gressmen. At least one OF the most
active organizations flooded Washing
ton with kilograms just prior to the
war and during the days Immediately
following the break In relations.
Secretary Lansing adhered TO his
determination not to discuss this later
disclosure and refused to reveal the
manner in which the message to Berlin
came into the hands of the government.
1t is known that the message reached
Berlin, but whether Berlin ever was
known. 1t was indicated that II came
into possession of the State Depart
ment some time after II was sent.
perhaps after the break in relations
and possibly after the declaration of
war. II was pointed out that knowl-
edge OF the ambassadors action at the
time 1t was taken would have pre-
cipitated more Immediate action, but
the suggestion was answered by the
intimation that the mass Of evidence
being gathered then was Of such a
character that IL might not have been
considered necessary or opportune to
Sive undue Importance then to
knowledge Of the amba ssador's du-
plicity.
LITTLE SURPRISE SHOWN
OVER DISCLOSURE
Little surprise over the disclosure
was manifested at the capital Sene-
tors and Representatives regarded the
incident merely as fresh evidence of
German intrigue. of which they had
been previously convinced.
I'm view Of tho fact that charges
Of large expenditures OF money in Ger
man propaganda have not been denied"
said Senator Reed. of Missouri. this
new evidence is cumulative The
money evidently was spent in propa-
sanda. II Is possible that there are
men in this country big enough scoun-
drels to take money for that purpose.
would be deeply interested II there is
any charge that any member Of Con-
gress knew that organizations seeking
to influence him were financed by Ger
| many"
Senator Wadsworth, OF New York
said the statement accounts for many
messages congressman received about
| that time