New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-25
Official Explanation Made
to the Public by
Government
Action Delayed
On Bernstorf's Plea
Monroe Doctrine and Free
dom of Seas Are
Defended

Washington, June 24-"How the
War Came to America" a pamphlet is
sued to-day by the Committee on Public
Information, reviews the causes, step
by step. which forced this government
into open hostilities with Germany
contains a formal official indictment
Of German kultur and military au-
tocracy and makes several revelations
concerning the diplomatic moves and
relations OF the two nations not hither-
to published.
Il explains why no act which could
be interpreted as an act Of war was
committed by this government until at
ter Count Won Bernstorf, the German
Ambassador, reached Berlin. II makes
known that prior TO his departure
Count Won Bernstorff begged that no
irrevocable decision should be taken
until he had had u chance TO make one
final plea for peace TO his sovereign"
II was not until March IL, more than
five weeks after the severance Of dip
lomatic relations, that armed guards
were nlaced upon American ships, and
three more weeks elapsed before the
declaration Of war.
Monroe Doctrine Defied
In summarizing the attempts to
crafty German imperialistic ambitions
which forced the war upon the world
the direct charge is made that Ger
many openly dehed the Monroe Doc
trine by attempting to purchase the
Danish West Indies. which this govern
ment acquired at cost of $25'oOo'Ooo'
The systematic efforts to create in
ternal disturbances in this country and
TO embroil us in war with other ma
tions are gone over in chronological
order.
Americas war book was issued by
George Creel, chairman OF the Commit
tee on Public Information, which also
is composed Of the Secretaries of State,
War and Navy. II is known, however,
that Secretary Lansing had a large
hand in its compiling, and portions Of
it bear the unmistakable mark Of Presi-
dent Wilson's own language.
After a review of the diplomatic pol
icy of this government and the subma-
rine controversy, the official explana-
tion continues:
"But evidence of the bad faith Of the
imperial German government soon
piled up on every hand. Honest efforts
on our part to establish firm basis
of good neighborliness with the Ger
man people were met by their govern
1ent with bubbles, misrepresentation
and counter accusations against their
enemies abroad.
German Spies Work
"And meanwhile in this country Off
cial agents of the Central Powers pro
tected from criminal prosecution by
diplomatic immunity - conspired
against our internal peace, placed spies
and agents provocatures throughout
the length and breadth Of our land, and
even in high positions Of trust in de-
partments of our government.
"While expressing cordial friendship
for the people Of the United States, the
government Of Germany had its agents
at work both in Latin America and
Japan. They bought or subsidized
papers and supported speakers there to
rouse feelings of bitterness and dis
trust against US in those friendly ma
tions, in order TO embroil US in war.
They were melting to Instruction in
Cuba. in Hayti and in Santo Domingo;
their hostile hand was stretched out TO
take the Danish Islands, and every
where in South America they were
J abroad sowing the seeds Of dissension,