Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-09-22
Bernstorff Sought Money
From Berlin to Head
Off War Decree.
FIRST TRY SUCCESSFUL
Message Indicates Scheme
Worked; Investigation
Demanded.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 21.-The
light revealing German intrigue in
neutral lands turned today upon tho
expenditure OF money by the Berlin
foreign office In an effort to lnflu-
less submarine campaign which drove
the United States to war.
Secretary Lansing made public
without comment the text OF mes
sage sent by Count Won Bernstorff to
Berlin last January asking authority
TO use $4,000 to influence congress
thru an organization which the foreign
office was reminded had performed
similar service before. To supple
ment this move Won Bernstorff sug-
gested an official declaration in favor
OF Ireland for its effect here.
Organization Unnamed.
The organization to be employed
was not named in the message and
Mr.. Lansing did not discuss its identi-
ty. II was freely suggested among
other officials. however, that It was
one of the various societies which
flooded members of the house and
senate with peace messages when
President Wilson was asking that a
state OF war be recognized.
This disclosure adds another chap
ter to the amazing story begun with
publication OF the famous Zimmer-
man note in which Germany proposed
nm alliance with Mexico and Japan
against the United States and which
has included the German Swedi ish
breaches of neutrality in Argentina
and Mexico.
1t connects the German government
and Count Won Bernstorff directly
and concluslvely with Vaccinations
which the American people had as
sumed was part OF the world wide
Teuton intrigue. but which many peo-
| pie firmly believed were carried on
I or financed in this country by Ger
man Americans without actual au-
thority from Berlin.
Investigation Proposed.
Little surprise was occasioned
either in official circles or at the
capital, altho members of congress
were highly indignant. There was
some talk at the capital OF demand
ing an investigation and Senator
Overman, chairman OF the house for
eign affairs committee arranged to
80 TO the state department tomorrow
| and ask for further information
on the floor OF the house Repre-
| sentative Heflin of Alabama asserted
| that he could name 13 or IA members
/ of the two branches OF congress who
had acted suspiciously and expressed
the opinion that they should he in
vestigated. Generally however. the
| disposition was to regard as absurd
any suggestion that any part of the
$4,000 sought by Won Bernstorff was
intended for members OF congress.
BcrnstOrfrs Pcrfidy Proven.
This message was sent nine days
before the German government pro-
claim\ its unrestricted submarine
warfare. when he wrote It Count
Won Bernstorff was assuring the
, American government and press that
under no circumstances would Ger
many violate her pledges of the Sus-
sex case. or do anything that might
draw the United States into the list
of her enemies. With the Lusitania
and other cases in abeyance III,
American government had made ne
move since the Sussex pledge and
there was nothing on the surface tc
foreshadow impending trouble.
Two weeks later when Won Bern
storff was handed his passports hs
CONTINUED on PAGE TWO