New-York tribune., 1918-09-24
Federal Investigators Can't
Make Statements and Lusi-
tania Speech Agree
Notes to Dr.. Albert
Open a New Trail
Latest Twist to Brisbane.
Brewers Deal a Puzzle
to u. S. Agents

Yesterdays additions to the lit.
erature OF the complicated Brisbane.
Brewers-D -DernburgK Konta affair broken
open last week by the Alien Property
Custodian we're two more letters from,
Alexander konta. lie is the man who
wrote so plausibly to the notorious DR.
Dernburg about buying American
newspapers for the Kaiscr's propa-
ganda.
Tho two Few Konta letters arc both
addressed to DR.. Heinrich Albert, who
vas the kaiser's arch spy and paylnas-
ter in this country. They~are cryptic
IN meaning.
"S;trictly Confidential
Xonts's first letter to Albert was
dated January %, 1918, vas marked
strictly confidential and rcad
Dear Mr.. Albert:
y nclose Il copy Of a letter which
propose should be sent to the news
papers OF New York, bearing my sig
nature.
''Of course, ! have made conditions
Of the most liberal nature, as you
can easily see this will be neces-
aary. ! am fully Convinced that the
publication Of this letter will be OF
great sensational advantage to the
ease OF German sympathy. The ac-
that | believe such challenge would
make a splendid impressions, the moro
because Of it's fairness.
Now, ! take YOU into my cont
dence in this matter to secure the
benefit OF your opinion, but, also,
do not feel in position to undertake
the payment of this money myself
Offer to ray my share, but believe
that patriotic Germans and other sym
pathizers should also be willing to
pay their share. You realize that it
Is very nrobahle that the money will
never have to be paid, but we will
have to send the check.
''Will you not please give nc your
opinion promptly on both questions,
az to whether you deem the idea
good one and as to whether you think
the rest OF the money can be found? e?
with sincere regards, very truly
yours, ALEXANDER KONTA."
s'W;ll Look for Profits"
The second letter, written February
%, 1915, read:
Dear Mr.. Albert: With reference
to the proposition which we have
discussed in our several conferences.
write to inform you that | do en-
phatically believe that the PROPOSE
ton can absolutely be carried out.
so far as it applies to yourself. But
while ! feel convinced of this. also
would say that 1t can only be done
under circumstances Of complete
mutual confidence, and in this connec-
ton | must tell you, for your better
understanding of my position, that
! have always acted primarily from
patriotic motives, and it seems that
there are associates who will have to
be interested and who will look for
profits, and who will not undertake
the proposition without substantial
gain to themselves.
Permit ME again, nevertheless, to
point out to you my belief in the
feasibility of the plan, which seems
especially certain to me for the
reason that all the conditions emu
merated can be satisfactorily ad-
justed right in this city.
IN conclusion wish to thank you
very much for your consideration of
me in the matter. with which trust
you will be able to 90 forward sue
cessfully
Nlfh Nndest regards, beileFe me,
"Sincereiy yours,
"ALEXANDER KONTA."
1t is perhaps q coincidence that
these letters slightly antedatc the
transfer of S1,6oo,0 900 by Albert to Dr.
Z. A. Rumely to buy The Evening
Mail"
When koNta was confronted with the
,wo letters above he said he was pro-
French and that he was advising DR..
Albert, as we'll as pro-German editors
and other propagandists, that a reward
OF $1,000 ought to be offered to any
one who would disprove the German
ofhcial reports. konta said he was
willing to contribute $50 toward such a
fund.
r. Then he added that he had opposed
Tefmany ever since the sinking of the
lpsltania
Speech on Lusitania Crime
Inc government inquisltors then con-
ltonted him with speech he delivered
o. meeting OF the Hungarian Aid
Soclety Of New York, in December
iSio, six months after the sinking Of
the Lusitania.
Fart of the speech read:
me bacbkiting poison was strength
ehed by the sinking of the Lusitania,
oN board of which American munitions.
consigned 70 Great Britain, had been
'n}renched behind American lives"
hcnta, according to the Federal in