Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-22

sought by Won Bernstorff was intend
ed for members OF Congress.
Won sernstortf Message
The Won Bernstorff message. dated
Jan. q. follows:
Il request authority TO pay out up
TO $50 900, tfifty thousand dollars). in
order, as on former occasions to in
f1uence Congress through the organ
ization you know of which can pers
haps prevent war.
II am beginning in the meantime 10
act accordingly.
In the above circumstances a pub
lie Official German declaration in IA
or Of Ireland is highly desirable. in
order to gain the support Of Irish in
fuence here"
Before U-Boat Proclamation
This message wes sent nine DAYS
before the German government pro-
claimed its unrestricted submarine
| warfare. When he wrote it Count Won
Eernstorff was assuring the Ameri-
can government and press that under
no circumstances would Germany vio-
late her pledges of the Sussex case or
do anything that might draw the
l
emies. With the Lusitania and other
| cases in allowance. the American gov
| eminent had made no move since the
Sussex pledge and there was nothing
on the surface TO foreshadow impend-
| ing trouble. Two weeks later. when
| Won bernstorff was handed hts pass
| ports. he professed ignorance Of prior
knowledge of his governments inten-
/ firms throw nrnrniSes n the
wind. Evidence has been accumulat-
| ing to prove that the ambassador not
only was cognizant Of but actually
| directed, the activities OF Boy Ed and
i Won Papen. the military and naval
| attac hes who were sent home long be-
| fore the United States broke relations
with Germany because Of their CON
| / ection with bomb plots. passport
| frauds, spying and other phases 81 the
almost Unlimited operations in TINS
| country OF the German secret service
! Much Evidence Of Ouplicity
| Now complete is the evidence OF
German diplomatic duplicity remain
! ing in possession of the United states
government is only Conjectural, but
: that il is far more than has been
generally supposed is now certain.
Government officials today intimated
! that the series OF revelations is not
nearly complete. From the outside
there are reaching the state depart
ment echoes of the apprehension
| sounded by friends of men towards
whom suspicion has long pointed.
Official Reputation was given
suggestion that a diplomat now IN
Washington is about to be placed I'M
der the spotlight
4 The co-ordinated intelligence forces
of the government are known 10 be
continuing their investiga atoms, how
ever, and it is pointed out that the
government has not lost sight OF the
necessity Of watching for German in
trigue and espionage.
1t was suggested at the state de-
partment that the odd mixing 81
Count Won Bernstorff's talk abou.
| peace and his secret activities while
I in Washington appeared significant in
view Of the peace propaganda recent
~ emanating from Germany
| There may he some discussion ~
| the incident in the Senate tomorrow
tually spent in recess. New provisions
proposed by conferees on the trading
with the enemy bill. authorizing the
! President To establish censorship over
foreign cable, radio, mail and ALI 9th
er communication and for licensing ~
foreign language newspapers are sub
! (Continueo on Page 5-col. g