The Washington times., 1917-09-22
CLEARS
congressman OF
PLOT COMPLETELY
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

CONTINUED from First Page)
sgined what an impression the replies
OF Germany and Austria accepting the
Pope's peace proposal made upon the
Washington Government today.
The Secretary of State made no for
NAL comment, but let It be known
that the German and Austrian COM
munications did not alter the situa-
ton in any way. Until . responsible
government arises in Germany there
can be no peace negotiations
In fact, what ordinarily might have
been the subject of widespread atten-
tion-the acceptance by Germany OF a
peace proposal couched in language
much more liberal than anything
heretofore uttered by the Berlin gov
ernment-hardly created a ripple OF
interest in the Capital of the United
States.
Beth Are Interested
Both the President and Secretary
Lansing were vitality interested in the
effect of the revelation OF the Berns-
torn telegram and members Of Con-
gress were astIr over the effort made
by the German embassy to influence
the views Of the Senate and House in
the interest of Germany.
Secretary Lansing talked with
Congressman Flood, chairman Of
the House Committee on For
Affairs for . short time at the
State Department today and a.
sured him that there was no intention
to accuse members OF Congress Of
wrongdoInE. Mr.. Lansing made It
clear that the question OF an invssti-
CATION was entirely one for Congress
to settle.
Upon being asked by the eorre-
spondents II an inquiry would serve
. good purpose-that IL, whether all
the information on the subject that
could now be gotten were not already
in possession OF the executive branch
of the Government here-Mr. Lansing
suggested that there might be other
ramifications In the nature of . lobby
which conceivably II might be inter-
ssted to investigate.
Refuses To Ne Embarrassed.
So far a. the State Department is
concerned, in any event. It will not be
embarrassed by anything that Con-
gress might do. This was the de-
partment's outspoken comment
From many viewpoints, OF course,
an investigation will not be helpful
because already certain members of
Congress with grievances against
other members are beginning to talk
about those colleagues. who have
looked mighty prosperous of late"
Innuendoes Of this kind and mud
singing not only to injure personal
opponents but political enemies are
coming to the surface as always hap
pens when an inquiry OF this sort Is
proposed. A repetition OF the muck
raking In the MulhaIl lobby inVestiEa-
ton and the leak farce IL a pos
sible outcome OF such an inquiry as
Is being proposed. -.--t
Real PaeiAsts Want Inquiry.
On the other hand, the peace or
ganizatIons which have not been
guilty Of any completely with the
Germans are anxious to have the In
CURRY because when they are once ex-
onerated by . Congressional commit
tee they will be able to continue their
efforts without the embarrassment OF
o constant cutlery Of pro-Germanism.
There are political possibilities
galore in . Congressional inquiry.
Persons who have an eye on the con-
tests In the primaries next year will
not hesitate to try to prove that the
Senators and Representatives Of pac-
inst leanings have been In close
touch with German organizations or
spurious peace societies. Several in
stances OF this sort OF thing were 10
be noted In the cloakroom Of Con-
gress today
But the Department OF State-and
of course It acted with the full sane
ton Of President wIlson-did not in
tend to have the searehlight turned
on Congress, but to expose German |
methods. Mr.. Lansing was emphatic |
in his statement. for instance, as to |
the method by which Ambassador |
Bernstorff hoped to influence Con-
gress.
What the executive branch Of the |
Government is trying to do by its |
series OF exposures, which Is by no |
means ended, is to show the entire |
world just what President Wilson |
meant by his phrase making "ths |
world safe for democracy" and just |
why the word of the present govern
ment Of Germany 10 worthless in the |
eyes OF all civilized governments.