Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-20


its state, must b obvious.
There - . name already familiar;
there 10 an organisation In working
lorder. easily renodeled; there - q
complete plant-al1 advantages to be
had for much less than It would cost
own news service, ind its editorial
and business stan. establish connec-
tons with advertisers newsdealers,
etc, etc.
It is perhaps little to the purpose
now to reflect upon what might have
the most sensible schemes then pro-
posed was the purchase OF the Stats
Zeitung and itS conversion into an
American paper. The stock OF this
paper Is rapidly changing hands just
now, but who or what is behind this
I have been unable to find out The
present editor declares that he still
has the controlling interest safely in
his hands. Whether the paper will
be able to retain the circulation which
1t has regained since the beginning
OF the war is open to serious doubt.
Zeitung in mind for future considers
ton. Some ten years ago there was
much talk Of the purchase Of the
Tribune. This is now out OF the
question.
In ordinary circumstances loss of
from :250oo0 to 100000 per year
would have to be provided for. but I
believe that. owing to my connection
with certain interests in this country,
this could be greatly reduced, II not
wiped out altogether by attention to
newspaper management
Prohibition is seriously occupying
the minds Of the brewers and distil-
lers Of this country. 1t is not guess
ton Of temperance, which they advo-
cate. but of the actual prohibition by
law OF the sale of beers, wines and
liquors. A paper that would not be
hostile to the personal liberty of the
citizen to drink in moderation what
he pleased could count upon the pow
erful support Of the brewers and dis
ttllers. who command almost illimit-
able capital, and what is more, means
of giving the paper in question a cir
culation large enough to attract adj
vertisers. Add to this a discreet ap-
peal to every German society in the
country for support by its members,
and we could easily count upon a
| national daily circulation of 100000
copies. This. to be sure, would be a
circulation among Germans and Ger
man-Americans, whereas what is
wanted is native American readers,
but II this German circulation is built
up .discreetly, as I suggest. the man
by numbers. A large circulation
widely advertised would impress the
native American and lead him to
take the paper. And, meanwhile, a
dencit would be changed into a profit
to be used for further propaganda.
The interests to which l refer have
repeatedly consulted me on this very
subject OF a newspaper not hostile to
their industry, and / know that they
would be more than ready to give
their support to the plan now in
hand.
This is a general survey of the
Held. Financially the moment is ia
vorable to the plan under discussion,
The newspapers have suffered heavily
from the war, and for some of them
the load is beginning to be too heavy.
Politically the transaction would
delicacy. No suspicion of the infiu-
ences behind it should be allowed to
reach the public. And the newspaper
world is like sounding board.
I shall be delighted to keep my
self at your excellency's disposal in
case you should desire further facts.
COPY &c
ALEXANDER KONTA.
70 Exchange Place,
New York. April S, 1915.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Capt. Hans Tauscher. 800 Broadway.
New York City.
My Friend Tauscher: I wish to ac-
quaint you confidentially with a mat
ter concerning DR.. Dernburg and my
self, in which I am sure 1 need not
emphasize my wish for your sympa-
thetic attention and cooperation.
The fact is I am unable to UNDER
stand his august excellency nor why
ne should consider himself immune
from contempt for not only ignoring
the conventional courtesies, but even
the common decencies in his relations
with gentlemen.
At a dinner lately. being seated be-
side DR.. Dernburg. he spoke to me re-
garoing the purchase of newspaper,
and after listening attentively to his
views, I promised at his request to
write him letter outlining the news
paper situation. I gave good deal of
thought to writing this letter, which
was absolutely confidential. and set
1orth Facts which I should be very
much annoyed to have come under the
notlce or any one upon whose dtscre-
ton l could not rely absolutely. I
have received no answer to the letter
not even an acknowledgment of it.
NOW, while l hesitate to put you to
any trouble. my dear Capt. Tauscher,
this matter has annoyed me greatly,
and, as have determined that 1 shall
not write Dernburg again, am forced
10 call upon you. I should be deeply
obliged If you could ascertain whether
my letter has been received at all
A11S uASPoSillOu has D6Gn maze OF
it. must again repeat that it was
written in deepest confidence and con-
tains inside facts with which I would
NOT nave my name associated on ac-
count of my close and intimate asso-
cations with the press of New York.
II may pc just possible that you could
recover the original copy for me. I
need not say that any service you can
do for me in the matter will be deeply
appreciated.
Whatever may be the reputation
and ability by reason Of which Dr..
Derpburg occupies his position, I for
one have concluded from personal OBJ
servation that the man is unpopular
and that he has done little or nothing
to influence the American people, It
would, Of course, be great pleasure
to me to be shown that am wrong in
this. but doubt If it is possible.
Believe me. my dear Tauscher, with
kiadest regards,
Sincerely yours.
ALEXANDER KONTA.