New-York tribune., 1918-12-20
Missouri Senator Attacks
Testimony Offered in
Propaganda Inquiry
Visits of the Pacha
Revealed to Senate
Affidavits Show How
Bernstorf and Bolo
Called Upon Publisher
Netc York Tribune
Washington Bureau

NeU York Tribune
Washington Bureou
WASHINGTON. Dec. 19.-The story
=, the activities In this country of
polo Pacha, the French traitor, and his
,.Iations with William r. Hearst, SO
far As traced, and of the machinery by
us,eh the German money In America
us handled, was put before the Ov-
snsn Senate committee to-day by
Deputy Attorney General Alfred L.
Bscker Of New York.
He told the committee Of the deposi-
lions Of chauA;eurs and house servants
N the Hearst apartment house, who
testifed to seeing both German AM
bsssador Won Bernstorf and Bolo sew
eral times as callers at the Hearst
sparsment, and stated that the "proba
Bic theory" en- which the inquiry WAS
based. namely, that Hearst had acted
as intermediary between Bolo and
pernstorff. had not been substantiated.
BE also told Of the plan to arrange an
exchange of news between the Hearst
papers and the Paris "Journal," In
which Bolo bought an interest.
Mr.. Becker's testimony gave rise to
the sharpest discussions Of the hear
ing among the committee as to whether
the evidence he offered was proper.
Senator James A. Reed, Of Missouri,
who Is not member Of the sub-com-
mittee conducting the investigation,
but was permitted by the chairman to
share In the discussions, took leading
part in them. and 1t was an objection
by him that brought on the most seri-
cus discussion Of the day.
The Senator explained that he was
merely interested in seeing that proper
testimony was taken. He remarked
that he had heard so much about the
hearings that he wanted to listen to
them, and he appeared with bulky
envelope ard pile Of papers on which
clippings regarding the Bolo case and
Hearts's connection with it had been
pasted.
Reed Attacks Evidence
Senator Reed not only attacked the
kind Of evidence Mr.. Becker was offer
ing, but when Mr.. Becker, in response
to question as to why he offered a
certain document said: "To inform
the committee and the country" Sena-
tor Reed demanded: "Similar to the
kind Of information you gave when you
for n
then--
Chairman Overman interrupted al
this point. Later Mr.. Becker took il
up. Senator Reed had said regarding
deposition about conversation with
Bernstorff in which Hearst WAS men
toned;
THE fact that Won Bernstorff wa:
trying to brlbe papers in America is :
perfectly proper thing (meaning prope
subject Of evidence), an can be proved
without employing the means of al
afidavit for the purpose of slanderint
an individual"-~
Mr. Becker interrupted: "I am no
bringing anything in here for yh
purpose of slandering anything. I cal
interrupt even Senator to say that.
Certainly you can," replied MI
Reed. II have not said you are"
You have stated that I brough
'alngs out in my campaign and tha
sort Of thing, and l resent it and den
IT. Becker responded.
We will accept that challenge an
MKe 1t up at the proper time," wa
Reeds rejoinder. Later, speaking to
group of reporters, he said:
II l don't make him back down o
mat I'll eat my hat"
Mr.. Reed denied, in response to que'
uons, that he was In any way intereste
IN Hearst.
William A. De Ford, who has ofte
appeared as Hearst's counsel, and
Mr' Mcfarland, connected with tt
nearst paper in Boston, were presel
~ .he hearing, but were not heard fror
mr. Becker gave for the first time a
Sa''he OF the various branches of tt
1eiihan propaganda in Berlin, and pr
'AuOASc tndI III was pTcpdIll
wv w work in this country as early 1
.'u'' having engaged George Won Ska
=, iormer member of the staff of tt
's" York "Staats- -zeitung," and al.
,O'hser Commissioner of Accounts
ew York City for this work.
=, "r. becker also brought out that
1ne trial Of Bolo for treason the pros,
=, sI''0n made point of the fact tn,
s journal" after he had bought q
.A.sfess In 1t, published a laudato,
"'"cie about Hearst, and that thel
were discussions Of combined new
'siVice including the Hearst pape
ana lie Journal" Senator Reed cha
'enged this statement and Mr.. Beck
. =, unused to introduce the record
'"e trial tomorrow.
oe1ore the beginning of Mr.. Becker
sss'''mony a letter and telegram fro
sel saauel untermyer were read, in viii,
~0 took exception to some of the new