New-York tribune., 1918-03-03

TIME stopping of the publication by
"The Worlds Work" of a series
of articles by John Rathom.
editor of "The Providence Journal"
exposing German plots in this country
after the first of the series appeared
has furnished one of the most interest
ing of the many mysteries connected
with the Kaiser's propaganda and the
United States censorship. In spite of
a flock of rumors, charges and denials,
the public remains in the dark as to
why the exposures should not see the
light at this time.
The one article that has appeared
gives many and interesting details of
the German methods and some of their
plots. 1t tells of Won Bernstorff's con-
tempt for the American officials with
whom he dealt. 1t describes an amaz-
ing attempt to influence the President
to stop shipments OF munitions. 1t
outlines the great organization main
tanned by the Germans in American
business for the most atrocious pur-
poses. And, in a series of illustra-
tions, it shows and deciphers the mes
sage from Berlin ordering the warning
to passengers on the Lusitania.
The article is introduced with a
statement of the purpose of the series,
which says:
"Mr. Rathom, in the series of articles
Of which this is the first, makes ex-
posure of some of the German plots
in America-describe the channels of
communication he established in many
parts of the United States. the wireless
codes and the messages the codes de-
ciphered, the weaknesses of Teutonic
agents that were studied and utilized,
the loyal Americans who helped outwt
the most acute diplomats and secret
service men of the Central Empires
What he found was evidence of more
than a series of isolated plots, more
than a group Of activities inspired by
the fever of war. Instead, the evidence
Of these activities showed that they
spread out into a most farreaching
network, Of perfect pattern, woven
patiently by one central hand through
years long before the war in Europe
began-the systematic, secret war Of
the Kaiser on the American democracy,
war conceived in the cool calcula-
tions OF peace, using diplomats, men of
learning, professional men, and the
leaders of our business life in an or
derly plot to undermine our ideals, to
control our commerce, and finally to
conquer our nation by force of arms
The story Mr.. Rathom has to tell has
all the action and adventure of ro-
nance, but it has besides a message
for the most serious contemplation of
the American pcople-the message
that this machinery Of internal disrup-
ton is still in operation, that the
agents Of the Kaiser still ply their
trade Of death in the United States,
that this deadly peril is still in our
midst. 1t is the patriotic desire to
warn the people of the nation Of this
continuing peril that has prompted Mr..
Rashom 10 tell this story Of expert
ences In unmasking the German plots"
The article itself begins by pointing
out that the German machinery IN this
country had before war was declared
reached INTO our business and Of
fetal life, and had affected oar whole
educational system. It. analyses Am
bassador Won Eerustorff AS a man Of
great personal vanity Who used his
social position 70 spread German propa-
Handa and bis official information 10
guide stock market spccuiations; Won
Papen az much Ike him. besides being
involved in shady transactions with The
German money ne handled, and Eoy-Ed
az man Of infinitely greater mentality
than either, who opposed plot 10 blow
up "The Providence journal" after IL
began IL exposures Of the German
propaganda, and declared the sinking
OF the Lugitania colossal bIunder.