The Washington times., 1919-04-05

DENIESPART
INPAPENAND
BOY-EDPLOTS
BY ALFRED G. ANDERSEN.
|. n. s. staff Correspondent.

BERLIN, April 4, Via London
April 5.-A denial of completely in
the acts of Captain Boy-Ed and Cap
tain Won Papen in the United States
or even the slightest knowledge of
them at the time they were commit
ted was made today by Count Won
Bernstorff, former German ambas-
sadOr to Washington.
Boyd and Won PaDen carried on
an active campaign in the United
States, resulting in strikes and nu-
merous acts of destruction in indus
trial centers.
Won Bernstorff went on to say
that the British government has in
its possession evidence to establish
his claims.
Says He's Democratic.
The allusion to his Washington so
3ourn came from Won Bernstorff in
the course of an interview on the
subject of Germans OF the old regime
holding office under the present So
cialistic rule.
~~A AASNOl II leAASA dNNu ms pic
Vious declaration of democratic SYM
pathies, adding that his leaning to-
ward democracy as been the occasion
OF several clashes between himself
and the former German government.
Throughout the war I was in con-
tinuous conflict with the military and
naval rulers OF my country" said the
former ambassador. How hard
lad to fight them, especially in the
eases Of the Lusitania, the Arabic
and the Sussex is sufficiently clear
from my dispatches which have been
'deciphered in America and are there
fore known 10 the United States
Government.
Opposed U-Boat Warfare.
Il was one OF the strongest oppo- |
0ents of unrestricted submarine war |
fare. I always worked for peace and, !
like your President, tried my best to !
end the world conflict in 1915. Not /
having succeeded then owing to the |
domination Of our military and naval 4
leaders. I almost felt as though I had |
scored a belated victory when those I
fatal influences were removed |
Through revolution That is why I |
stayed"
The ex-ambassador was then re-
minded Of his connection with the ac-
tivities Of Boy-Ed and Won Papen to
further Germany's militaristic designs
in America. He replied:
81 must emphasize that whatever
Captain Boy-Ed and Captain Won
Papen may have done they acted quite
independently Of the German en-
bassy. These officers had their own
offices in New York and received their
instructions direct from the general
stan and the admiralty in Berlin.
Moreover, may I remind you that
when they left the United States I
was officially assured by the Ameri-
can State Department that / was not
involved in their affairs Still less
did L have to do with the work OF
other German officers Of the German
army and the navy. 7 heard of them
only when their enterprises failed.
Worked fer Peace.
"After the departure OF Captain
Boyd and Captain Won Paper from
Washington 1 continued to work in
The United States for a whole year for
a peace of reconciliation, until the de-
pIorabie resumption OF unrestricted
Submarine warfare, decided upon
against my most emphatic advice, put
an end TO all Of my efforts.
"On my return to Germany, 1 told
every person who would listen that
only immediate democratization of our
entire governmental system could '
bring the war 10 a speedy end My I
advice was not needed.
~Only the revolution. which really
began under the Chancellorship OF {
Prince Max of Baden. was effectual in I
bringing about the downfall Of those I
harmful militaristic anti-democratic (
forces. 1t would have been incongru- 6
Gus for me to resign. {
Il feeItin honor bound to stay and
2 I'VE a helping hand in this bIackest
oeFiod OF my courtry's history"