Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-05-03
RiNTElEN PLOTTED WAR.
Sought to Involve v. S. and Japan and
Destroy Munitions.


Franz Rintelan Of the German navy
to embroil this country in war witt,
Mexico and Japan and the intellectual
Efforts of former Representative Franz
Buchanan to enlist the support of
Samuel Gonpers, president of the
American Federation of Labor. in a
project TO prevent the manufacture
and transportation of munitions In
this country. were brought out in the
conspiracy trial of these two men and
six others here.
The defendants are charged with To-
menting strikes designed to disrupt
the entente allies munitions trade In
this country thru the activities of
Labor's National Peace Council, Of
which Mr.. Buchanan was first presi-
dent.
Mr.. Gompers testified he advised Mr..
Buchanan that his plans were fool
hardy; that they We're in conflict with
the interests OF labor as represented
by the American Federation of I4abor
associations with Herman Schulteis
and Henry 3. Martin. These men are
defendants and Were members Of La
bcr's National Peace Council.
The testimony as 10 Rinte!en's ac-
tiyities was given by John e. Ham
fnond. an advertising agent. who said
that Rinteien engass him to carry
on a pro-German publicity campaign.
Rfntelen proposed TO spend $4,000 for
This purpose. ne said, but spent only
$500. becoming discouraged as 10 the
success of his plans to arouse senti-
ment in favor of the German cause in
this country after the sinking of the
Lusitania.
Mr.. Hammond said he gave up his
work for Rinteien when he learned
that he was doing ali in his power to
bring on war between the United
States and Mexico and that Rintelen
believed It was only matter of time
before German diplomacy would EN-
broil this country in war with Japan.
Rintelen's purpose. he testified. he
was told. was to bring on strikes so
as to break up the munition traffic.
Rinteien described troubles in Mex
leo, which he expected Huerta, former
dictator Of Mexico, TO stir UP. as his
trump card. Hammond said. The wit
ness declared he called these activities
Of Rintelen to the attention of the
government and then for some time
continued to meet Rintelen and to list
en- TO his plans under the direction OF
officers Of the department Of justice.
Mr.. Ciompers said his warning 70
Buchanan was given IN Atlantic City
in the spring OF 1915.
II asked him to consider his actions
inc of
whom had seen his name associated
with in the newspapers" Mr.. Com
pers said. Il mentioned Herman
Schuteis and Henry B. Martin"
New York. May Samuel Com
pers president of the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor. tes.ifying today in
the trial Of Captain Franz Rinteieu. Of
the Germany navy, and seven other
men charged with conspiracy to To-
ment strikes to destroy the entente
allies munitions trade in this country,
declared that Hermann Schulteis and
Henry d. Martin, two Of the defend.
ants, were known at Washington az
political strikers"
These two men were active with for
mer Representative Frank Buchanan
another defendant first president d
"Iabors National Peace Councir II
the work OF the council. which. 1t 4
alleged, was organized to carry Out
Rintelen's scheme with money sup'
Piled by MIN. =. r. .s e.
Mr.. Gompers said he warned Blu
chanan against associating with these
two men, As he deemed them enemies
OF labor. In explaining his action to.