New-York tribune., 1918-11-25
Senate Inquiry
Spreads to Foe
Propaganda
Scores of Witnesses Called
to Expose Heads Of
Activity in u. S.

The scope of the Overman Senate
Committee, which has been nvestigat-
ing the brewers slush funds, involving
Mr.. Hearst's Brisbane and the activi-
ties of the foreign language press, has
been broadened and searching in.
quiry which will reveal the brains and
leading spirits in the German propa-
ganda ring will be started December 8.
Scores of witnesses who have been
identified with Teutonic propaganda
through the mass of documentary evil
dence now in possession of the authori-
ties will be called upon to explain.
There have been frequent conferences
of the heads of the various Investigate
ing agencies of the government. who
have collected evidence of the pro-
German activities of thousands who
! posed as loyal citizens. George Sylves-
ter Viereck. editor and publisher of
"Viereck's S American Weekly" and Will
lam Bayard Hale, Hearst's Berlin cor
respondent, who have been mentioned in
connection with propaganda investi-
| cations, Will be among the first wit
nesses.
! They, however, are not looked upon
as leaders IN disseminating propaganda,
/ but as talented writers who have done
the will of their employers.
French and British Aid
In addition to the evidence gathered
Scotland Yard and the French Secret
Service have turned over enlightenlng
documents which will be produced at
| the inquiry. The British and French
agents have been working with our
agents since we entered the war. There
is possibility that some of these men
may be called if the inquiry is extended
to include German activities for the
last fifteen years, as has been init
mated.
Every form of propaganda will be
investigated, especially industrial and
anarchist propaganda, and propaganda
among laboring organizations designed
to bring about an imperfect peace.
The following men who have directed
the investigation of propaganda will
i be called as witnesses with their rec
partment of Justice; Deputy Attorney
| General Alfred l.. Becker, of New
York; General Churchill, of the Mill
| tary Intelligence Service; Francis P.
Garvan. of the Alien Property Gus
todian's Office, and Chief Moran. Of
| the Secret Service.
Humes Is Prosecutor
Major E. Lowry Humes, the Pitts
burgh prosecutor. is in charge of the
/ inquiry.
Mr.. Becker. who still is investigating
Viereck and Hale, said he had uncov-
cred additional evidence against these
Senate committee. Most Of the new
evidence cannot be given out at this
time. but every document available
will be produced at the hearings next
week.
Mr.. Becker made public a number Of
letters last night written by Viereck
to his parents before and after we en-
tered the war. He said that he was
confident that although the messages
were addressed to Viereck's parents
they were reports for the German For
eign Office of his work here. Viereck
will be confronted with them when he
takes the stand and is asked to explain
them.
All the letters were sent through the
British blockade to Sweden and were
then forwarded by German agents to
Germany. They were opened by Amer
lean, and British agents en- route and
Thus the Allied governments were kept
informed Of the work being done by
Viereck.
Ono Addressed to Frau Eichborn
Gctinge, Sweden. read:
"New York, March 13, 1917.
dearest Mamma:
II do not know whether this letter
will ever reach you under the present
circumstances l hope that it will.
"The situation here is very serious
am afraid that we are standing on
the verge Of war. Some of my friends
Dr. Fehr, DR.. Albert, DR.. Mechlenburg
and Dr.. Prage will no doubt have called
on you. will have told you about me and
how We are. If you are in trouble OF
if you need any help, l would suggest
that you communicate at once with DR.
Fuehr and with DR.. Albert. Both like
. me and are under obligations to me.
II have had no letters from you fol
Continued on page tiue