Evening journal., 1918-04-04
Cable DECLAREDFIRA
WAS PURE GERHAi'
Berlin Message Told Bern
storfi TO Aid Wool Concern
in Passaic, n. ].
WAS HELD UP
BY THE BRITISH


NEW YORK, April 1.-The German
Foreign Once at Berlin addressed "a
Fable TO Count Won Berusiorn former
ambassador TO the United States. re-
ferring 10 the Observation-Disclosures Com
pany, Passaic y. d., Noolen manufac-
hlrers. as a pure German firm ac-
,ording TO documents read into the
records when state Atorney-Geneal
Lewis inquiry into an alleged German
wool boarding conspiracy was rcopened
here
Introduction OF the cable message
which was intercepted by British au-
ihorities and never reached Count Won
Bernstorff, closely followed protesta-
fions OF thorough Americanism by
Julius Forstmann. president Of the
passaic company, which has been
taken over by the allen property GUS
todlin.
The reopening of the inquiry was re-
uuested by attorneys for the FOrst-
mann-Huniman Company, who said they
desircd an opportunity OF explaining
disclosures made during the first part
OF The investigation several weeks ago.
The company was one Of several Ameri-
oan importing concerns which the At
torncy-General said it was suspected
were concerned in q scheme 20 evade
American and British embargoes on
wool and other textiles during the early
days OF the war by having shipments of
This contraband sent 90 dummy con-
sisnees. although they knew the goods
were intended ultimately for German
consumption.
Forstmann, a n8iuralzed German
asserted he burned his bridges be
hind him when he came TO this country
md had become thoroughly Ameri-
sanized"
lie bad disposed Of extensive holdings
Do Germany he said and although it
sused him much embarrassment effect
ID the "Americanizing of his company
ID Psssaic two years ago by buying
enough stock held by German owners
% make IL a thoroughly American"
enterprise.
Then the intercepted cable message.
furnished by the British embassy at
Washington, was introduced. A trans
alton Of its text follows:
Berlin June 2S. 1916.
To Herr Count Won Bernslorn Rye
New York.
Your ExcelleDcy. Interested par
ties here have repeatedly made rep
reservations for preferential treat
nent OF the firm NJ FOrstmann and
Huffman, In passaic. N j., i'm con
nection with shipment of coal tar
dyes TO the IT, s. a. since this pure
German firm. as Is well known on
your side, undertook last year tho
wool supply for Germany, and
lHoraForn rlnfrna 10 hoe lnar olnnaf
ally badly treated by England 70 is
most respectfully recommended to
your Excellency, should there be- no
reasons 10 the contrary, 20 arrange
FOR the greatest possible considcra-
tion for this firm IN the later dis
trlbulion Of The shipments TO con-
sumers which are now in prospect.
forstmann said the only reason he
could assign for the Foreign ONCE seek
ing preferential treatment for his com.
pany was that former business asso-
ciates in Berlin might have requested
such consideration IN connection with
negotiations carried ON through the
State Department at Washington where.
by Germany was TO release shipments
Of dyestuffs and chemicals TO The United
States in exchange for cargoes of cot
ton and wool urgently needed in Ger
many.
These negotiations We're carried oi
during the time when this country wal
neutral, Forstmann said lie reiterated
previous assertions that he became con
cerned with these reciprocal shipment
only because he thought he could be o
service 10 the Amrican woolen industry
which at that time was urgently il
need Of dyes and chemicals. The trans
actions, he said, had the approval @
Secretary OF State Bryan.
When completed, a transcript OF Ia
record Of the inquiry is to be furnishe
officials Of the war trade board by 10
Attorney General for such use as the
consider desirable against Amerl
can firms found 20 have violated thei
trading agreements with the Govern
fnent-