The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-06


In bringing to trial Paul Bolo, or
Bolo Pasha, the French government
Is endeavoring to disrupt the whole
system OF German intrigue and
propaganda in France which in the
spring of 1917 became so bold and eff
fective as to threaten to defeat
Frances efforts to carry on the war.
BolO's case has been defined as
but one Of a series Of inter related
incidents in the German effort to
organize a propaganda of depression
and encouragement among the
civilian leaders and soldiers Of
France. These involved not only
BolO, the so -called ''Levantine finan-
cier" but also Joseph Caillaux, a
former premier Of France, one or
more members Of the French Cham
Der of Deputies, and several French
newspapers. These newspapers are
alleged to have been subsidized by
German money to spread abroad in
France q spirit of "defeatism", a be-
lief that there was, no hope Of beat
ing Germany and that France should
make haste to accept the best terms
possible.
AS Bolo's connection with the
scheme was the first startling |
development in uncovering the plot, |
the whole system of German |
propaganda in France and the new
word "Boloism" was coined.
In an attempt to bride French |
statesmen and leaders, and to infiu- |
ence French opinion by subsidizing
her newspapers or founding new
publications to disseminate the spirit
Of pacifism or defeat, it has been
charged that Germany devoted a sum
of money ranging up to or even ex-
ceeding 100000 marks. Bolo, him
self is said to have the use OF a fund
of 1855, 900, chiefly If not wholly to |
corrupt the French press. In what
way the remainder OF the corruption
made clear UP to the beginning Of
1918.
Prisoner stransIed.
Partial uncovering of the plot has |
resulted not only in the arrest of
Caillaux and Bolo but in driving out |
of office of Louis J. Malvy, formerly |
French Minister OF the Interior, in |
the arrest Of several editors Of the |
newspaper Bonnet Rouge and its |
suppression on the ground that it |
had been subsidized to preach |
pacifism in the interest of Germany. !
One of The Bonnet Rouge's editors |
who threatened to make sensational |
disclosures was found strangled in |
his cell before he had a chance to |
reveal what he may have known of |
the plot. A few other newspapers |
alleged to have been founded in |
France to spread the German peace |
also were suppressed.
Bolo's activities possess peculiar |
interest to Americans because OF the
fact that, Of the funds at his dis
posal, it is charged that $1,6S3,000 |
was transferred from the Deutsche |
bank in Berlin to France by way Of |
New York. It was as a result of dis |
covery Of his manipulation OF this /
fund through five New York banks /
General Merton Il. Lewis of New /
York state was able to obtain in
formation which was forwarded to |
the French ambassador in Washing |
ton, M. Jasserand, upon which Bolo
was arrested. .-
According to Mr.. Lewis, Count Won
then German ambassador
to the United States directed the
transfer of the $1,6S3, 900 to Bolo in
New York, through the financial
agent OF the Deutsche bank in New
York. 1t was stated that the money |
was placed at Bernstorff's disposal
by wireless messages in a secret code
IN which fictitious names were used
10 represent the parties participating Il
IN the transaction.
Makes Debut in Egypt.
Bolo's first appearance as a factor
IN international affairs was as finan-
,ial adviser to Abbas Hilmi, who, in
1914. the beginning of the war was
of Egypt. II was from the
xhedive that Bolo received his title
If Pasha. BY 1915, however, the
had been ousted and Bolo,
t is said, was a pensioner OF his
brother, a French priest.
In the following year, 1t is as
erted, the Khedive and Bolo met in
switzerland and, with the approval
n Gottlieb Won Jagow, then German
oreign minister, 1t was arranged
hat 10, 200, 900 marks should be plac-
"a to Bolo's account to influence the
french press in favor Of a premature
,eace.
The money, 1t is charged was
to Bolo through New
fork and a large part Of 1t used to
purchase an interest I'm lie Journal,
n important newspaper controlled
" Sen. Charles Humbert. On dis
overy of the origin of the fund Sem
tor Humbert tried to refund ii but
his was opposed by Bolo.
In September last Bolo was arrest
d after a judicial investigation OF
Is alleged relations with the enemy.
lis arrest profoundly stirred the
french capital, inspiring in some
french patriots the feeling that at
asst the scandal that weighed so
cavity upon France was about to
e cleared.
Bolo loudly asserted his innocence
nd even wrote a letter to Premier
'ainleve asking him TO "hnish the
fair, declaring that he had been
0rtured for eight months and that
othing had been found against him.