Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-25
$4,000 WORTH OF COMFORT.


The revelation Of Count Bernstorffs
scheme for financing q ro.German
lobby In Washington adds one more to
the long list Of crimes which Germany
has committed in the name OF diplom.
acy or Of selfdefense.
No doubt the authorities at Washing
ton have many more facts In their pos
session such az those which have re-
vealed Luxburg, Eckhsrdt, Cronhoim,
Zimmerman and now Bernstorff As
plant tools of the extensive system of
militaYism. It Is probable much of the
evidence was obtained before the
United States broke off relations with
Germany. The recent revelations, in
deed, recall the declarations made by
President Wilson in his Flag day
speech that he had numerous proofs OF
Germany's treachery which he was I'M
able to make public at that time.
The barring of Bernstorffs record is
notable chiefly for the evidence that
he counted on accomplishing his OBJ
jects with the assistance OF some
organization here in America, un.
named In his dispatch to Berlin, but
known, no doubt. to the president and
his official confidantes in Washington.
The fact that German gold had been
used to bury American Influence and
sympathy before the war lends bountf-
full color to the belief which has ex-
listed In America for months. that
money from the same source was be-
ing poured out In this country to agt-
tators in various organizations. These
loyal German patriots have done their
work well, apparently-so well. indeed.
that many of them have fallen under
the ban of the laws which the United
States have been compelled to invoke
in order to protect her institutions
from traitorous assaults.
Whatever the organization to which
Bernstorff paid money In $4,000 lots
may be, there can be no question as to
the sort Of service he demanded In re.
turn. The pacifist propaganda, the
objections to the draft. the criticism OF
military expeditions to France, the
ranting demands for liberty Of speech.
the agitation of strikes-all these
activities which are traceable to the
peoples council. the socialists. the
l. w. W. bandits. the pacifists or other
soap-box orators for ''the peoples
rights" are the sort OF work for which
beEuSlOIil dShCu dutuO1iy llOA tAiC
kaiser to pay out up to $4,000. as on
former occasions, to influence con-
gress through the organization you
know Of"
Many misguided agitators f1y into
rage at the slightest intimation that
they are pro-German. Some OF them
do not realize that they are rendering
the kaiser, free of charge, the very
same service for which he would be
glad to pay Their only excuse for
their disloyelty is ignorance. They can
have no other.
aid and comfort to the enemy" as
sumes forceful meaning when one
considers Bernstorffs activities. 1t is
a phrase so broad that ones idea of its
meaning Ia hazy until concrete In
stances are cited. Bat when we know,
for instance. that Germany Is willing TO
pay big sums for the promotion Of pub
lie sentiment in her interest in nations
with which she IL at war or with which
she is about to provoke war we realize
that laid and comfort to the enemy" Is
very definite thing. 1t is q
very definite menace. too, to the
nation from whose citizens 1t ema.
pates. and Its existence is proof posi-.
tive OF disloyalty,