New-York tribune., 1918-02-27
Lansing Shows
German Alliance
Financed Plots
Proves to Senate Teuton
Bond Subscriptions Were
Used for Propaganda
[Stof Correspondcnccl

]
WASHINGTON, Feb. ga mass OF
information concerning Germany's in
sldious war against the United States
prior to Americas entrance into the
war was to-day placed at the disposal
Of Senators by the State Department
IN connection with the Senate investi-
cation of the German American Ali
ance. This information showed:
That members of the German
American Alliance were the princi-
pal subscribers to German govern
ment bonds f1oated in this country
while America was still neutral
That the proceeds never went to
Germany, but were used by German
agents in this country to spread
propaganda to weaken the national
spirit; to incite Mexico to war with
the United States; to purchase and
prepare bombs to be placed on Allied
and neutral ships in American har-
bors; to pay incendiaries to burn
and wreck rnunition factories, bridges
and canals in this country and Can
ada, and to incite rebellion in Ire
land against Great Britain.
"Wilful Senators" Assailed
A portion Of the material furnished
TO the State Department was contained d
in speech on the floor of the Senate
to-day by Senator Swanson, Of Nr-
ginia, who said he had reason to be-
heve that a large part Of the proceeds
from German war bonds sold in this
country was used to finance the Sein
Fein rebellion in Ireland.
Senator'S who participated in the fill
buster which resulted in the defeat of
the armed ship bill last session were
assailed by Mr.. Swanson as having de-
stroyed "the last chance for peace" be-
tween the United States and Germany
BY this action Germany was convinced
he said that we did not have the cour-
age to defend our rights and that no
injury she could inflict would result
in warfare.
This small group of wilful Sena-
tors, Senator Swanson declared
were responsible for the creation Of
this belief in Germany, and deserve
severe condemnation for misrepresent-
ing and thwarting at this critical time
the will Of the American people. Con
WINGED by defeat of the measure for
armed neutrality that the United
States was too craven to fight, hardly
had Congress adjourned before Ger
many commenced the enforcement OF
extended submarine warfare.'
Senator Swanson, after reviewing the
causes which led to Americas entrance
into the war, declared that there is an
insdious and reasonable propaganda
now being conducted in this country
designed to produce dissatisfaction and
patriotic lethargy in order to secure a
German made peace.
Bernstorff Denounced
Engaged in spreading this pernicious
propaganda, he said, "is motley crew
composed of fanatics, German spies and
persons corrupted with German gold
and promises, Differed by few selfish
politicians, who foolishly think they
see an opportunity for self advance
ment, although it may result in the
wreck Of the country"
The activities of former German Am
bassador Won Bernstorff and other Ger
man agents, despite our neutrality, in
attempting to cripple cur industries
instigate plots and to influence the
Congress in the interest of the Ger
man Empire also were denounced by
Senator Swanson.
at is high time to cut out the
hyphcn in this country" said Senator
McCumbcr, Of North Dakota, in com
nienting on the resolution to revoke
the charter Of the German American
Alliance. "The time is past for the
German American the Irish American,
the Bolshevik American type of Allies
citizen. We want no more fooiAg with
those few Irish agitators who would
line themselves up with Germany
against our ally who is doing the real
lighting in this war"
Senator McCumber referred scath
ingly to the differences between Irish
volunteers, who, captured by Germany,
spat at Easement when he tried to
enlist them in Gcrman-Irish regi-
ment and the Irish in this country who
have affiliated with the German Amer
lean Alliance.
"Their position is similar to those
Irish who shrieked for Russian im-
perialism in its war against Japan be-
cause Japan happened to be an ally OF
Great Britain" he said.
Dofoo,oo a, I<,,,a ~ Moan N,,.J.