The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-09-28

st0Fn was an lIlSn tuStltuuous Su<
from the remarks Of officials II VA
gathered that the Instrument used b
the German government was one Of
several peace societies which. masking
under the name of peace" have &C
ually served the interests Of the cen
raj empires. and are still mOttvateo
by consideration Of hostility to the
policies of the United States.
A sensational feature Of the Bern
storfY note was that 1t was dated jan
uary %, the date Of President Wilson's
peace without victory" address to con-
gress.
Prior to that time. however. In the
latter part Of December. Secretary
Lansing, in Interpreting President Will
sons peace note, made 1t clear that
the United States might be drawn into
The war, and indicated that one OF the
reasons impeliing President Wilson 10
address the powers at war was 10
ascertain the objects for which they
were fighting, so that this country. II
it should be compelled to make oe-
cision, might better be prepared 10
align Itself with one Of the two groups
1t is accepted that neither In De-
cember nor In January was the state
department aware of the full connec-
lion OF Ambassador Won Bernstorn
with the works of Captain Boyd and
Captain Won Papen, the naval and mill
tary attaches, respectively, OF the Ger
man embassy. but 1t Is believed no"
that the government has complete
proof of the direction by Count Won
Rernstorf himself of all the activities
Of German agents, official and unom-
cial. of German nationality and OF
American nationality.
Whether the state department IS IN
possession Of other evidence indicating
the ambassadors activities has not
been revealed, but the extraordinary
disclosures already made have nAeo
the belief that agents OF the Unlted
States government have collected and
complied the entire story of German
dupliclty and intrigue and that aodi-
tional chapters will be added.
Knew Plan Of "Ruthlessness."
en- as an indication that Ambassador
Bernstorff had prior knowledge OF MS
governments intention to proclaim
merciless widespread submarine war
fare and that he was equally conndeht
that the United States government
could not be easily placated by mere
promises. The German announcement
Of its intention to expand Its subma-
riue activities was not made public un-
til January 81. when the world was
startled not only by the determination
to remove all restrictions, but by the
statement that 1t would become eHec-
tive on the following day. Three days
later the United States government
had expressed its disapproval by sever
ing relations with Germany.
That the German ambassador knew
Of his governments intention was as
sumed by some officials, although at
the same time he denied prior knowl-
edge and those in close touch with the
embassy were given to understand that
he did not approve the course ana
worked to obtain modification.
Small Amount for Bribe.
1t has not been assumed that the am
bassador actually attempted to bribe
or personally influence any member OF
congress, and doubt that such was his
purpose IL supported to some extent by
the comparatively small amount OF
money he asked. Fifty thousand dol
lars, II was pointed out, would go but
short way toward buying the influence
of any congressman. Judiciously ex-
pended, however. 1t might do much In
compensating paid agents, such as are
now known to have belonged to the
elaborate machine Bernstorff had SO
carefully built up for the production
Of propaganda and for purposes OF
espionage.
Search Anti-War List.
AZ soon as news Of the Bernstorf1
message reached the capitol members
began a hasty search Of the files to find
the names of the men who voted
against war. While there was no as
sertion from anyone that anyone Of
these members was Influenced BY Ger.
man propaganda or money, YET IL "af
pointed out that II such influence wal
exerted, and II 1t had any eject. the
names Of those affected would be
shown In the lists Of those who op
posed the war resolution.
II was forced to the conclusion soms
time ago" Representative Hefiin said
in discussing the revelations. that Ger
many thought we were cowardly peo
ple and afraid to fight, but did moi
know that we were corrupt people
and would betray our country for Ger
man gold.
1.-THE telegram sent by Count Vol
BernstorK IL an admission Of the fac
that Germany had corruption fund IL
the United States for the purpose o
carrying on German propaganda.
"If members have acted In suspi
=. .,,o <o.htop hy tho ipfrodu cfiOn of roc