McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1917-09-28

the state departments announcement
'Thls ought to end forever he
said, "any and every doubt In the
mind of any American as to the Jus
tice of and necessity for this war,
| 1t proves that the German government
was seeking all along to split us into
! factions, by corrupt means of neces-
sary, possibly hoping in time to win
the war In Europe and then humillate
and spbjugate us. He who Is not
whole heartedly for the war runs a
grave risk of being suspected Of get
ting part of the fifty thousand dol
lars. This is an honest congress, and
all its members will resent this insult
to its intelligence and honor"
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 fixed
the belief that agents of the United
States government have collected and
compiled the entire story of German
duplicity and intrigue and that addi-
tional chapters will be added.
Knew Plan of "RuthIessness."
The reference to averting war is TAX
en- as an indication that Ambassador
Bernstorff had prior knowledge of his
governments intention to proclaim a
merciless widespread submarine war
fare and that he was equally confident
that the United States government
could not be easily placated by mere
promises. The German announcement
of its intention to expand its subma-
rine activities was not made public I'M
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 effec-
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 and
worked to obtain modification.
Small Amount for Bride.
1t has not been assumed that the am
bassador actually attempted to bride
or personally influence any member of
congress, and doubt that such was his
purpose Is supported to some extent by
the comparatively small amount of
money he asked. Fifty thousand dol
lars, 1t was pointed out, would 60 but a
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.
AS soon as news of the Bernstorff
message reached the capitol members
began 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 1t was
pointed out that If such influence was
exerted, and If 1t had any effect, the
names of those affected would be
shown in the lists Of those who OPP
posed the war resolution.
II was forced to the conclusion some
time ago." Representative Heflin said.
in discussing the revelations, 'that Ger
many thought we were cowardly peo-
pie and afraid to fight, but did not
know that we were corrupt people
and would betray our country for Ger
man gold.
1.-THE telegram sent by Count Won
Bernstorff Is an admission of the fact
that Germany had corruption fund in
the United States for the purpose of
carrying on German propaganda.
'If members have acted In suspi-
cious fashion by the Introduction of res
olutions or bills or by speeches In con-
gress or out of congress, that leads to
the conviction that they are not loyal
to this government at this time, they
ought to be Investigated, and, If found
guilty, they ought to be expelled from
the floor of this house and from the
floor of the senate Of the United
States"
Propaganda Still Lives.
Senator Husting was one of the first
to make declaration after the state
department had made its spectacular
disclosure.
although Bernst0rff is gone" he
said, ''the spirit of Bernstorff still
lives, and / trust the department Of
justice and the secret service will 90
to the bottom of this thing and that
the organization which has been built
up in this country through the efforts
of the German government will be
rooted out and utterly eliminated.
"This is highly interesting informa'
ton, but am not surprised. myself
have an order for $1,000 to be paid to
certain publication signed by Bern.
storff.
"The thing that impresses me, how.
ever, is that Bernstorff has been gone
for months and yet the propaganda
goes on. Now 1t was apparent long
before we entered the war that all OF
this propaganda was not coming forth
by chance. 1t was clear that it was
Inspired by some astute, powerful
clever source, and that source was the
German government.
"Bernstorff was not the only me-
II .tx "A