New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-22

up the fight. and left Washington with
out lifting his finger 10 back up his
telegram.
The wonder to-day was whether Sec
rotary Lansing Informed his former
chief Of Count Won Bernstorf's propa-
ganda activities, with the result that
Mr.. Bryan. much as he loved peace
decided he could not fight with such
allies.
Senator Husting, Of Wisconsin. who,
despite the pro-GermsO slant OF ms
constituency. was bitter IN his denuncl-
atoms of the peace, embargo and anti
blockade propaganda for nearly two
years before the United States entered
the war. declared his belief tonight
that Count Won Bernstorff meant an
executive organization in his message,
rather than any particular organization
the name of which is known.
early N the spring of 1916, SAID
Senator Husting, tonight, 81 began TO
he overwhelmed with propaganda
was sure was being paid for by Ger
man sources. called the attention OF
The Tribune 70 il at the time. On April
~. 1916. denounced this propaganda IN
a speech. At that time the efforts OF
the Germans were levelled at the Brit
Ism DloCkaue.
Willing to Have War With Britain
The men signing the kilograms
we're evidently willing to have the
United States 60 20 war with Great
Britain for the sake Of getting sup
plies through the blockade 70 Germany.
Tho organization was known then as
the American Embargo Conference.
Later some of the same men lost their
taste for WAT. changed the name OF
the organization to the American
Peace Conference, and became blatant
nacifsts. Then they realized the dan
ger Of this country going to war
against Germany, which was quite dit
fcrcnt.
Il remember that the secretary OF
both organizations wGs w r. McDon-
aid, and that his headquarters were az
iG9 North Clark Street, Chicago.
81 am not sure that this orgsnlza-
ion was the one referred 10 by Count
ION Bernstorf. am rather inclined to
.birk there IL a more secret executive
committee. which handles the funds
Tor all of these pro-German propa-
,gnda campaigns. and that 1t was TO
this directing body that the count re-
ferred.
"Thev arc spending money here TO-
5ay, | am convinced. and they ought
20 be cut out, root and branch.
The State Department officials de-
clincd 20 comment upon the op!ecV
bored 20 be realized by the publication
Of the Bernsto,ff message, but II was
believed 20 have as its purpose supple
menting the general policy Of exposing
10 the world the malicious deceit that
characterizes German diplomacy, the
revelations of German inspiration OF
peace propaganda in America.
~ was denied that there was any
intent to reflect upon Congress IN
making the dispatch public at this
time. II was asserted also 10 be a
mere coincidence that the exposure was
made lust after the arrival of Count
Won Bernstorf at ConstantinOple as
German Ambassador to Turkey "Iur-
kew takes wha. she can get from Ger
many" SAID an official.
Officials made II plain that the gov
eminent had information Of Germany
pcGcy of Guplicity before Bernstorf
requested authorization 10 continue
his campaign 10 influence Congress.
There was qualification in official quar-
ters that the ambassador did not pre-
sumo to intimate TO his government
that anv amount Of propaganda could
influence President wilson.
Officials made the following com
mertS on the note:
This government possibly knew
the name of the organization re-
ferred to by Ambassador Bernstorf,
but there being no absolute certain
ty, none would be named.
The State Department believes the
message was received in Berlin, but
does not know whether an answer
was received By Ambassador Won
BernstortT.
Congress might not have known
that il was being Influenced, II II
was so influenced through the count
less kilograms with which 1t was
flooded when there was realization
that war was near, by German money
sustaining the pressure being brought
upon the national Legislature.
The Department of Justice had rea-
son to suspect at the time the tele-
grams were being forwarded to Con-
gress, through their similarity in
many instances, that they were the
result Of propaganda maintained by
Germany.
when Count Won Bernstorf sent
his request for authorization to
spend $4,000 more for the purpose
of alternating Congress from the
. President he was aware that Germany
M had decided 10 abandon civilized ma
wal warfare, regulating thereby the
German governments pledges 70 the
United States.
IL was said not 10 be fair TO draw the