The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-21

ried on active plottings and propagan-
da all over the world.
This startling message. however, was
the first positive evidence, made pub
lice, that Bernstorff had personal
guilty knowledge of the German in
trigue in this nation.
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 Aus
TRAN ambassador, was conducting a
vicious plot while the two countries
were still at peace.
Bernstorff's advice concerning Ire
land was apparently needed. for in
one of his peace pronounciamentos,
Germany made much of the fact that
she was for home rule in ireland and
in India.
The Bernstorff note shows clearly
that the envoy had been intriguing for
some time, because, 1t pointed out that
/ the money would be paid out "as on
J former occasions"
Before War Declaration.
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 put
into effect their unwarned submarine
! ing decree.
1t is significant also that during this
particular period, Bernstorff was tell
| ing the press that he would do all in
his power to prevent war between Ger
| many and the United States
And, he continued to say even after
the break that he would use his in
fluence on reaching Berlin to avoid
actual hostilities. He was known to
/ be sending messages to his home gov
eminent at that time endeavoring to
straiShten 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.
The link between Germany and the
Irish Americans has been known quite
clearly to this government for some
time and the Sir Roger Easement af-
fair showed rather conclusively that
Germany was seeking rish-American
sympathies or trying to create trouble
| for England and home rule for Ire
land.
New Name of Organization?
The state department did not an
nounce the name of the organiZa ton
which was to handle the $4,000, tho
probably investigation has given the
government a line on its identity.
Just how the message came into
the American governments possession
is kept a secret, as in the case with all
documents proving Germanys guilt.
The systematic revelation of Teuton-
ic intrigue on this continent and else
where is deemed likely to have the
effect of not only stirring up the
further convincing the German peo-
pie that their government is a sinister
| thing.
State Department Knows?
The state department indicated that
it is convinced of the identity of the
organization Bernstorff referred to,
tho there is sufficient doubt to prevent
announcement.
The department tended to dissipate
the idea of any actual expenditure of
! the money on congressman direct. 1t
was intimated that propaganda tele-
| grams sent to congress had their ORR
gin in German money.
| Bernstorff may have sent his mes
| sages with the aid of some neutral
diplomat. Tho it apparently reached
Berlin, it was probably intercepted and
| decided.
! The state department said that even
| before he sent his message, Bernstorff
| knew thru a secret channel. that his
government planned unrestricted sub
| WARNINGS and clearly foresaw the
| break with the United States. There
| fore, Germany was trying to render
America impctent by keeping her busy
| with Mexican troubles and influencing
| pacifist congressman to prevent war.
The department would not COM
ment upon whether jeremiah O'Leary
| former Congressman Buchanan or the
labor peace council had been in any
way connected with Bernstorff's mes
| sage.
Six Days After Zimmerman Note.
1t Is a coincidence that on the day
Bernstorff sent his message, President
Wilson read an address in the senate
| outlining the kind of peace the Unit
ed States could join in guaranteeing
1t was the famous address asking al
nations to adopt the Monroe doc
| trine as the doctrine of the world"
The president at that time almos
prophetically denounced the met o.
intrigue and selfish rivalry which
drew nations into competitions o.
power.
Only six days previous, Herr Zim
hermann had sent his secret note tt
the German minister in Mexico City
proposing the German Mexico-Japa1
alliance against the United StatesA
Twelve days later-February third
I-Bernstorff was handed his pass
ports.