Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1917-09-28
plot TO Use MONEY TO INFLUENCE
CONGRESS PART OF GERMAN INTRIGUE
Capital Aroused by Secretary Of State Lansngs Disclosures Of
Count Won Bernstorffs Effort to Buy Peace in
the United States.

prepared for almost any disclosures
Of German intrigue In the United
States, following the publication by
Secretary OF State Lansing Of the tele-
gram sent by Count Won Bernstorh
to the German foreign Office on Jan
uary % last, asking for authority to
expend $4,000 for the purpose of In
duenclng congress in an effort to pre-
vent war between the United States
and Germany.
Official Washington was prepared
for almost anything after the recent
revelations made by the state depart
ment regarding German diplomatic
methods In neutral countries, but in
spite of this preparation, they were
literally astounded by the publication
Of proof that Count Won Bernstorff
himself was directing the expenditure
of money for the express purpose of
influencing members of congress.
Former Efforts Shown.
The amazing part Of Count Won
Bernstorff's communication is this SEN
tence; Il request authority to pay
out up to $4,000 in order, as on for
mer occasions, to influence congress,
through the organization you know OF,
which can perhaps prevent war"
This reference to former occasions
is taken to show that this was not
the first instance in which German
money was used in an effort to infiu-
ence American legislation and that
the German foreign Office was well
aware Of the identity Of the organiza-
ton through which the German diplo-
mats in this country conducted their
intrigue.
This revelation, on the heels OF the
Swedish German Argentine Mexican
Philippine exposure and coupled with
the Zimmerman Mexican-Japanese
plot note, officials say, clinches this
governments contention that Germany
carried on active plottings and propa-
ganda all over the world.
This startling message, however,
was the first positive evidence made
public that Bernstorff had personal
guilty knowledge of the German In
trigue in this nation.
Had Been Long Suspected.
1t had long been suspected that he
was the directing head Of anti-Ameri-
can work, and this government had
proved that his colleague, the Austrian
ambassador, was conducting vicious
plot while the two countries were still
at peace.
Bernstorff's advice concerning Ire
land was apparently needed, for in
one OF her pronunciamentos Germany
made much of the fact that she was
for home rule for Ireland and in
India.
The date of the communication was
at the time when Germany and the
United States were directly on the
verge of breaking relations, and In
less than ten days later the Teutons
nut into effect their unwarned subma-
rine decree.
It is significant also that during this
particular period Bernstorf was tell
ing the press that he would do all
in his power to prevent war between
Germany and the United States.
And he continued to say even after
the break that he would use his infiu-
ence upon reaching Berlin to avoid ac-
fual hostilIties. He was known to be
sending messages to his home govern
znent at that time endeavoring to
straighten out the tangled relations OF
the two countries.
Bernstorff, while protesting to feel
kindly toward America, wished to
avoid war simply for the reason that
American strength would turn the bal
ance against Germany, authorities say.
See lrlsh-Gsrman Link.
The link between Germany and the
irish. Americans has been known
rather clearly to this government lot
some time, and the Sir Roger Case
fnent affair showed rather conclusive
" that Germany was seeking Irish
American sympathies or trying to ere
ate trouble for England and home rule
for Ireland.
The state department did not an
nounce the name of the organization
which was to handle the $4,000,
though probably investigation has CIV
en- the government line on its iden-
tity.
The suggestion was made that BY
Organization" the ambassador might
have meant any one Of the different
go-called peace societies that were &C
five at that time. That may have been
true, but 1t was learned that state de-
Dartnent officials do not know what
the ambassador did mean.
planned to Use Pacifists.
It was assumed, however, that he
referred to an organization he had set
up although some officials were In
-, nae Ala Soldiers.