The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-08
German OJfe,lsiUe Against Dlunitiom Plants
I11An1e1jca Disclosed by T. S. Secret SeyUice

The conference over the blue prints
In Ambassador Won Bernstorff 8
rooms in Washington was followed
by months of seeming inaction on the
part OF Germany's paid agents. While
war held it's dreadful sway over Eu-
rope and armies battled, some for
right and In defense of a broken
kingdom, the others for territory and
conquest at the behest OF a war-mad
ruler, the manufacture Of munitions
for the warning nations and especial
Ily the allied armies received an i'm
petus which started their humming
with feverish activity.
During this time the A. T. r. Mu-
nitions plant was erected near New
York. Machinery of the latest type
was installed, and experienced and
competent labor employed. In the
offices of the company Of which L. Z.
Marquis was president, long confer
ences were held with representatives.
Of the French government over plans
received from Paris calling for
French ''75's" and 1855 in IN
stinted number. French gold went
into the safes of the company and
French names were signed to the
mortgages and various documents
necessary to the fulfillment of con-
tracts involving millions Of dollars
and indirectly, millions Of lives. That
Imperial Germany was linked with
this industry, in any way would have
been unbelievable, that the A. I. Il.
Munitions company could be lending
aid to Germany while manufacturing
arms for the French army was IN
conceivable, to any but those ac-
quainted with the depths of treach-
cry to which it was possible for I'm
perial Germany to descend.
Plans Delivered TO German Agent.
The plans from Paris received the
o. K. Of the president Of the COM
pany and its directors. They were
given into the hands of one man
true, the companys secretary-but
the man who had conferred with Am
bassador Won Bernstorff in Wash
ington, months before-J. S. Slak-
berg, smooth, suave, ingratiating,
agent OF the Imperial German gov
eminent and its war crazed kaiser!
Al week or so after the final plans
of the French government had been
approved by the directors of the mu-
nitions works Slakberg found occa-
sion to cali upon Captain Franz Won
Papen, military attache of the Ger
man embassy in his office at so Wall
street, New York. That his visit was
not unexpected was indicated by the
obvious impatience with which the
little group gathered in Won Papen's
office awaited his coming. About the
polished table sat Captain Karl Boy
Ed, German naval attache, DR.. Helm
rich Albert, Won Papen and Ambas
sador Won Bernstorff. ,-..-
Brief greetings were exchanged at
Slakberg's entrance. No time was
wasted in arriving at the gtst Of his
business.
"Your report on the A. T. r. fac
tory?" quiered Won Bernstorff.
Work has commenced at the A. T.
U. Munitions works." Slakberg an
"Yes?" The little group uncon-
sciously awaited the rest Of his re-
port In tense silence. .. |
The silence OF the room was now |
the silence Of CONSERVATION.
Oyer Won Bernstorff's countenance I
a look OF anger blotted out the ex-
preston Of puzzlement that had fol- |
lowed Slakberg's announcement. Won |
Papen glared at the speaker.
'sHimmel! For the French!"
The sinister smile which disfigured |
face did not waver.
Eyes. For the French. am do
ing all in my power to see that the
shells reach their purchasers as soon
os possible. Wait a minute" He
waved deprecating hand ns Boy
Ed pushed his chair back and sprang
to his feet angrily. II have done ex-
actly as ! planned to do. / have
the plans Of the shells. En-
ployees Of the A. T. r. Munitions
works are now laboring night and
rYrn hn
sold to the French government-but
the shells will fit only German
guns!" He glanced around trium-
ohantly. els my report approved?"
Smiles Of satisfaction swept about
the group. Won Bernstorff extended
his hand.
1T is good work, Slakberg, and will
mean great things"
Slakberg smiled smugly. 'Greater
perhaps than Your Exceliency ina
gines, he answered. TN the first
place, IL will deprive the French OF
some million shells of various sizes
upon which they are depending. In
The second place 1t breaks the entire
embargo which the British have
placed about Germany"
But how did you accomplish tt?'
"As soon as the plans were signed,
I
He smiled. IT have put
hem where they will be- safe-for-
sver, I tore them up. Then placed
II the safe in their stead the plans
which were sent me from Berlin,
lrawn to the scale Of German guns
II nearly the same calibre. forged
he necessary signatures and ack-
lowledgments. 1t was very simple.
It is impossible that they suspect
anything wrong. So now" he con-
GUIDED, those shells will be rushed
10 the French front at the earliest
possible dates. They will be hoard
I'd for the big French drive. So I
earned in conference. The French
lrive will turn into a German drive.
rhe French will try to use the shells.
They will not fit. They will have
HZTT nTygy Nn IN 6aY%ym