Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-16
REVEAL TIES
OF CAILLAux
WITH BERLIN
Notes Intercepted By q. s.
Prove Damaging to For
mer French Premier.


mysterious stock Of intercepted
diplomatic communications the
state department today published
correspondence between Count
Won Bernstorff, former German
ambassador here, and the Berlin
foreign Office, showing that former
Premier Caillaux of France was
in communication with German
agents In Argentina in 1915.
The first Bernstorff dispatch con-
tanned very damaging references to
Caillaux's references to the French
government and warned German news
papers against praising him. Another
gave notice Of the ship on which Call
laux was sailing from Argentina and
planned its capture by submarines.
The capture of the ship was sought
because her captain carried important
papers. The German government was
asked to treat Caillaux with every
courtesy and consideration II the ship
was taken.
Text Of Telegram.
Following is the text of the mes
sage sent by Bernstorff:
"Buenos Aires telegraphed the fol-
lowing:
"'Caillaux had left Buenos Aires
after short stay and is going direct
to France, evidently on account Of
the (group undecipherable) scandal.
which he regards as q personal attack
upon himself. He speaks contemptu-
ously of the president and the rest Of
the French government with the ex-
ception of BRAND. I He sees through
the policy Of England perfectly. He
does not anticipate the complete over
throw of France. He sees in the war
now a struggle for existence on the
part of England. Although he spoke
much of the 'indiscretions and clumsy
policy of the Wilhelmstrasse and pro-
'fessed to believe In GERMAN 4ff6citieS,
he has in essentials hardly changed
his political orientation. Caillaux
welcomed indirect courtesies from me,
but emphasized the extreme caution
which he is Obliged to show as the
French government, he said, had him
watched even here. He warns us
against the excessive praise bestowed
upon him by our papers, especially
the Neue Freie Presse, and desired, on
the other hand, that Mediterranean
and Morocco agreements should be
adversely criticised. Our praise In
jures his position in France. Gail
lauxs reception here was cool. His
report about Brazil had nothing new.
On his return to France he will be-
gin to reside in his own constituency.
He fears Paris and the fate of Jaures.
(Signed) "BERNSTORFF."
Another Message.
Another message which Count Bern
storff had forwarded was from Havana
as follows:
"Tol, Rio De Janeiro. telegraphs
steamer Araguaya left Buenos Aires
Jan. 80. The captain is carrying i'm
portant papers. Capture very desir-
able. Caillaux is on board. In case
of capture Caillaux should In an I'M
obstrusive way be treated with court
esq and consideration. Can you inform
our cruisers?
(Signed) 'BERNSTORFF."
The instructions of the German cen
sorship to the German press on June
16. 1915, follow:
For political reasons 1t is urgently
requested that nothing be written
about the former French prime min
lister Caillaux and that his name not
be mentioned under any circum-
stance"
Published by Agreement.
This correspondence, although no
official announcement to that effect is
available, is made public by arrange
ment with the French government,
which desired its exposure. Caillaux
now is awaiting trial in France for
treason on revelations developed by
the celebrated Bolo Pasha case.
Another Under Arrest.
Paris, Tuesday, Jan. 15.-Paul Com
by was arrested last night in connec-
ton with the governments investiga-
ton Of the activities of former Pre-
mier Caillaux at a luncheon given to
Signor Cavallinie, an Italian. Comfy
also is reported to have accompanied
Deputy Loustalot, whose immunity
has been suspended in connection
with the Caillaux affair, to Switzer-
land to see Abbas Hilmi. the former
Khedive Of Egypt.
The chamber Of deputies sustained
the governments action in the Call
laux case late yesterday by a ma
jority of 274 out Of the 4S4 members
present.