New Britain herald., 1918-02-23
AMERICAN CONSUL
 INTRIGUE VICTIM
Bulgar Organ Places DomeniC 1.
 Murphy in Bad Light

Washington, Feb. 22.-Confidential reports reaching the state depart ment from allied sources have direct ed the attention of the government to remarkable intrigue in Sofia, Bull garia, involving Dominic i. Murphy, the American consul general. Mir. Murphy, who is now this govern ment's only representative in Bull garia, is quoted in the semi official Bulgarian organ Kambana as having outlined the Am erican war policy in manner that has caused representa- tlVes of the Allies to demand an ex- plana tion.
 The State Department after receiv- ing word from three allied govern ments cabled at once to MT. Murphy asking for an explanation. In reply. MT. Murphy has not only repudiated the interview, but indicates that he has been made the victim of a cun- ming German Bulgarian plot to dis credit him.
 There is reason to believe that German agents want to get MT. Mur- phy out of Sofia without delay be- cause of his personality and influence
 
 because he is in position to keep track of Germany's underground sys- tenn of propaganda which would be denied him should he leave Bulgaria.
 A deeper inquiry is to be made and more detailed information from MT. Murphy is expected. Officials of the State department who know MT Mur- phys record in the service are con- vinced that he has been victimized by a German Bulgarian plot and in- cldentally the relations between Bull gar1a and the United States will not be improved by this kind of intrigue But several allied diplomats are still skeptical and believe that the Amer- can representative may have informal ly expressed some of the opinions credited to him.
 The Germans appear to have circu- lated reports that MT. Murphy as an lrishman has no more love for Eng land than T. St. John Gaffney had MT. Gaffney was recalled from his position as American Consul at Munich because of his decided anti British tendencies
 Here is translation of the conf- dential report which has reached the State department.
 'The kambana, the GermanopIlile newspaper of Sofia has published an interview which MT. Murphy, Consul General Of the United States at Sofia The following is the text of the in tervieW:
 |" According to the latest informa- tion the government and the senate at Washington have intimated to those whom it concerns that the Inili- tary aims of Italy will not be allowed to extend to Dalmatia. This will ac- celerate the conclusion of peace.
 The Americans understand the motives which urge the Bolsheviki of Petrograd to hasten to conclude peace. London and Paris have been informed that the commercial inter ests of the United States demand that the war should cease as soon as pos >sibIe in order that American ships may be free to sail for Europe with raw material and merchandise des- tined for the exhausted peoples of Europe.
 ''Consul General Murphy, who is Of Irish origin and who has the reputa- tion of being a partisan of the liberty of the oppressed people has con vinced his government by the reports sent by him during the last two years of the legitimate nature of the Bull garian claims to unite Macedonia. the Dobrudja and the valley of the Morava to Bulgaria. He affirms that America will never pronounce against this Bulgarian unity. In spite of threats of Wilson the relations be- tween the United States and Bulgaria will not be broken off, for it is the senate that decides this.
 Murphy recalls with regret the malicious declarations and acts of the American am bassador to Berlin. Ge- rard, who as an enthusiastic friend of the Entente, contributed to the rupture of relations between Germany and the United States.
 Wilson did not dare oppose Ge- rard as the latter was one of the most influential propagandists for his election"
 MT. Murphy has an excellent rec ord in the service, having served in France, Switzerland and at othef European posts. He is a native of Washington and is very well known here.