Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1917-09-29
GERMAN WAR PLOT ON CONGRESS
REVEALED BY STATE DEPARTMENT
Startling Exposure Shows That Ambassador BernstO Asked
Berlin for Money to influence United States Law
makers Against Declaration of War-Sent Cable
Just Before Unrestricted Submarine
Warfare Was Ann0unced-PlOts
and Intrigue Traced to
German Embassy.

Washington Sept 81 Secretary Of
State Lansing today made public an
astounding addition to the series Of
disclosures OF German inuigues in
America and elsewhere message
ssnt by Count Won Bernstorff in Janu-
any OF this year 10 the Berlin foreign
Office requesting authority To pay out
$4,000 to influence congress through
an unnamed organization, apparently
known TO the Berlin authorities.
Count Won Bernstorff indicated in
his his message that money had been
paid this organization on former occa-
sions to perform the same work. The
text Of the message dated Jan %,
1917, was made public without com
ment
Whether the state department is in
possession of other evidence indicat-
ing 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
Implicitly and intrigue and that other
chapters will be added Chapters here
tofore given out by the state depart
ment were the messages Of Count
Luxburg. German minister to Argen-
tina, which have disrupted relations
between Argentina and Germany, and
the letter of German Minister Won Eek
hardt in Mexico City, suggesting a re
ward for a Swedish diplomatic agent
to serve the German cause. These
were recently given out Months ago
the state department gave out the
Zimmerman note to Mexico City. pro
posing getting Mexico and Japan to
make war on the United States
The reference to avoiding war is
taken as an indication that Ambassa-
dor Bemstorff had prior knowledge Of
his governments intention to proclaim
merciless, widespread submarine
warfare, and that he was equally con
fldent that the United States govern
ment could not be easily placated by
mere promises.
Shows Break Was Expected.
The German announcement of inten-
ton to expand its submarine activities
was not made public until Jan. 81,
when the world was startled not only
by the determination to remove all re-
strictiOns but by the statement that it
would become effective on the follow
ing day. Three days later the United
States government expressed its dis
approval by seyering 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
che embassy were given to understand
that DE did not approve the course and
worked for modification
1t has not been assumed that the
ambassador actually attempted to
bride or personally influence any mem
Der of congress and doubt that such
was his purpose is supported To some
extent by the comparatively small
amount OF money he asked
For Propaganda and Espionage.
Fifty thousand dollars. it was poiu.
ed out would 40 but a short way to-
ward buying the influence at any con
Eresamen. Judiciously expanded. how
ever 1t might DO much i'm compensat-
Ing paid agents. such as are now
known 10 have belpneed TO the elaho-
rate machine Bemstor6 had So care
fully built up for the production of
propaganda and for the purposes of es-
pl0n8gc.
Information in the possession of TIE
government, but not yet revealed is
said 10 show conclusiyely a more di-
rect connection of the German ma
chine In America with the Irish Ques-
ton than that indicated in Count Won
Bernstord's message. The records are
said To contain the names of men well
known IN America
The announcement by the state de-
partment is the first official utterance
ot the government with reference to
the German ambassadors active per
sonal participation in the maze of
plots and iutrigues conducted for Ger
many $ benefit in this country since
the beginning of the European war
The name of the organization
through which the German severn
m@nt had sought 10 influence con
sress, The manner in which the money
used for TINS purpose VS. expended.
the previous instances and the indi.
Vtduals carry 0e on the Yropaganda.
although NOT tis closed are the sub
jectS of We'll defined susDiri0ns M the