Evening journal., 1918-02-25
OFLIHGER Sees
GERMAN INTRIGUE
Says Alliance Archives lndict
Association OF IN
AmeriCaniSm
SEES MENACE
IN PROPAGANDA

WASHINGTON. Feb. 25.--Germany be
gan her military preparation against
the United states twenty years ago,
Gustavus Ohlingor. president OF the
Toledo Chamber of Commerce, told
subcommittee of three Senators sat
urday.
1T was propaganda TO destroy ma
tional unity through inilltration OF Ger
man thought said Mr.. Ohlinger, testi-
fving in % hearing on the King bill to
dissolve the German American Alliance
for disloyalty. Tho Rev. S. G.. Won
Bosse of Wilmington, Del, is president
of the alliance.
"And this inftration of thought Is
the plan of the German general staff,
continued the witness. ut is what we
must fight against here, No nation can
fight without "a flaming spirit.
Germany came very near destroying
this spirit few years ago. just few
wears more and there would not have
been enough national unity TO combat
the theory of Deutschland uber allies
We have seen the same systematic in
filtration of German thought into Rus
STA, Italy and northern France and even
England"
Ohlinger sworc that the German
American Alliance with its three million
members iH an organizat ion designed TO
inclucate the domination of the German
nation in the United States.
Senator King of Utah, who framed the
bill, Senator Sterling of South Dakota,
who yesterday introduced a bill to for
bid the teaching of German in its
schools. and Senator Wolcott, Of Della
ware, in whose home town of Whining
ton, lives the president of the alliance,
formed the subcommittee
The influence exerted by the alliance
TO defeat Woodrow Wilson or Theodore
Roosevelt for presidential nominations
because of their pro-ally leanings was
tremendous, the witness said. He also
asserted that while the books of the al
lance showed receipts of $4,000, that
$4,000 jor $4,000 OF this amount came
from "donfdential sources.
do you mean TO infer that the so
ciety receives money from secret and
disloyal sources l" asked Senator King.
Il certainly mean TO infer that the
money comes from persons and parties
whose interests and policies are TO work
against the United States replied Mr..
Ohlinger III the committee continues
its investigation ! am sure It will de
velop much light ON this subject
Mr.. Ohhnger. who said his forbears
came TO this country 200 years ago, an
nounced that he had studied the ALI
ance. He brought a suitcase bullying
with books and documents.
"What was your motivei" asked Sem
ator King, ''in making these iuvestiga
lions and disclosures2'
Nothing" replied Mr. Ohlinger, "but
to emphasize the necessity from a mill
tary and political standpoint Of united
nationalism in this country"
Earlier Senator King asked what
stimulated you 10 make "a study of the
alliancel"
My interest I'M European world poll
tics when / practiced law in Shanghi In
lgO4-05." answered Mr. Ohlinger. 81 APP
peared before the German extra-terri-
torial courts. visited the German col
ony of Kieau Chauo and / noted the ac-
Invites of the cousuls. These activities
extended even 10 influencing missionar-
les. One missionary society had been
driven out of Germany vet il was sup
ported in Shanghai province by the Ger
man government. Germanys activities
were apparent tN'iN NNfi's
81 found when ! got back TO my own
country that propaganda was at work
here too and German military prepare
tion against the United States was rs
plain as it had been in the Orient"
The alliance, which was chartered In
1907 from Pennsylvania society formed
eight wears earlier according TO Mr..
Ohlinger, has constantly and llograntly
violated its charter.
G.. j. Hexamer, OF Baltimore, former
president of the alliance, was awarded
the decoration of the Red Eagle Of the
fourth class by the Kaiser in 1904, tes-
flied Mr.. Ohlinger, "ior spreading kul-
ur Ia this country"
Quoting from the societY's official
bulletin" which he constantly used the
witness read telegram DIR. Hexamer
sent Just after the Lusitania sinking, 20
the state branches of the alliance. It
directed.
"Wire President Wilson that your
members and the overwhelming majority
of citizens in your state oppose drastic
measures against Germany"
Dr. Hoxsmer was quoted az urging
that German be taught In the schools 30
boys and girls would "receive the keys
] TO the treasure house of kultur" and as
protesting to President Wilson against a
loan 10 France by American bankers.
Everybody against Roosevelt or vii
son" was the political watchword sent
out by the official bulletin in April, 1916,
so Ohlinger read. He quoted alliance
members as saying, "Thank God"
Germans have now entered upon po-
litical activity" and eve have a weapon
now I'm the ballot" former Congressman
Richard Bartholdt was quoted as telling
alliance members. He told them 20 for
get political affiliations and vote only
for Inc friends Of Deutschtum."
Am appeal by President Hexamer, Au
gust 1914, for press bureaus TO work
against the influence Of the Anglo
American press excited the interest OF
Senator Wolcott.
There had not been much time for thu
Anglo American press to say anything,
he remarked Germany forces werl
, already modified said Senator King
I 1T seems Dr. Hexsmer must have beer
I advised in time said Senator King
Ohlinger had begun To talk of a "prop
, uganda committee in Cincinnati heade,
, by John Schwab," when the sub com
, mittee adjourned until Monday 10 avail
the arrival OF additional witnesses iron
, the west. The meeting today was he'll
unexpectedly. President Won Bosse an
Secretary Adolph Timm, OF the allianc,
, were TO have been present but exPecte
a postponement
Won BOSSE SAYS
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