The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-04-05
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STRONG DENIAL
DiscIaims Any Completely in
Acts of Boy-Ed and
Won Papen.
STRONG PEACE ADVOCATE
Ambassador Lays Stress on
His Opposition to Subma-
rine Warfare.
(By Alfred G. Andersen.)

Berlin, April 4, via London. April s.
IL. N. S.)-A denial of completely
in the acts of Capt. Boy-Ed and
Capt. 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 ambassa-
dor to Washington.
(Boy-Ed and Won Papen carried on
an active campaign in the United
States resulting in strikes and numer-
Gus acts of destruction in Industrial
centcrs.)
Won Bernstorff went on to say that
the British government has in its
possession evidence to establish his
claim.
The allusion to his Washington
sojourn came from Won Bernstorff din
the course of an interview on the
subject of Germans of the old regime
holding office under the present So
cialist rule.
Won Bernstorff reiterated his pre-
vious declaration of democratic SYM
pathies, adding that his leanings to-
wards democracy had been the occa-
sion OF several clashes between him-
self and the former German govern
ment.
Throughout the war l was in con-
tinuous conflict with the military and
naval rulers of my country" said the
former ambassador. "How hard |
had to fight them, especially in the
cases of the Lusitania. the Arabic and
the Sussex, is sufficiently clear from
my dispatches which have been de-
ciphered in America and are therefore
known to. the United States govern
ment.
Il was one Of the strongest oppo-
nents of unrestricted submarine war
fare. | always worked for peace and,
like your president, tried my best to
end the world conflict in 1916. Not
having succeeded then, owing to the
domination of our military and naval
leaders. l almost felt as though i had
scored a belated victory when those
fatal influences were removed
through revolution. That is why
stayed"
The ambassador was then re-
minded of his connection with the ac-
tivities of Boy Ed and Won Papen to
further Germanys militaristic de-
signs in America. He replied
Il must emphasize that whatever
Capt. Boy-Ed and Capt. Won Papen
may have done. they acted quite inde-
pendently of the German embassy.
These officers had theis own offices
in New York and received their in
structions direct from the general
staff and admiralty in Berlin. More
over, may I remind you that when
they lef. the United States was off,
cially assured by the American state
department that was not involved
in their affairs.
Still less did have to do with the
work of other German agents of the
army and navy in the United States.
l heard of them only when their en-
terprises failed.
After the departure of Capt. Boy
Ed and Capt. Won Papen from Wash
ington l continued to work in the
United States for whole year for a
peace OF reconciliation, until the de-
plorable 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 told
every person who would listen that
only immediate characterization Of
our entire governmental system could
DihS Iho war 10 d speedy END. MY
advice was not needed.
only the revolution, which really
began under the chancellorship of
Prince Max Of Baden, was effectual
in bringing about the downfall of
those harmful militaristic and anti
democratic forces. 1t would have
been incongruous for me to resign.
Il felt honor bound to stay and
give a helping hand in this blackest
period of my country's historyr