The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-03-27
The Xon Engelken Case.


cording to the Washington CORES
pondent Of the News and Courier.
Former Senator Christie Benet is
! behind the agitation, he having ap-
peared before the Overman commit
tee on investigation of German prop
aganda in regard to the matter.
While a citizen of Palatka, Fla.
VOn Engelken was chosen to the
pres: :dency of the Federal Farm
Loan bank in Columbia, over the
candidate it is understood for which
certain financial interests in Colum-
bia, was looking This was before
America got into the war. After the
war was we'll on Won Engelken re-
signed from the presidency of the
bank. The facts did not come out at
the time; but it was commonly talk
ed that his removal resignation was
because of his alleged German SYM
pathies. There were those, however,
against whose loyalty there was no
breath of suspicion, who said that
the disloyalty business was trumped
up stuff to facilitate the control OF
the bank by the element which had
formerly lost out. Not long ago Sec
retary Glass wrote the president
letter in which he said that thor
ough investigation had cleared Won
Engelken of the imputations against
him, and the secretary suggested
that the president write Won Engel-
ken a litter that would do justice in
the whole matter. The proceedings
having been for the most part ex-
parte, with but little bearing on the
part of Won Engelken, the secreta-
rvs letter has thrown the burden
back on the people who stood for the
original charges, etc., and hence Mr..
Chistie Benet's appearance before the
Overman committee. In Mr.. Benet's S
showing, according to the Washing
ton correspondent of the News and
Courier. he reveals the fact that Mr..
Won Engelken is accused of: o..
Being. rude to some ladies who were
soliciting for the Red Cross, and re-
fusing to contribute. CD Refusing
to contribute to men solicitors for
the Ped Cross. CD Attempted to
justify the conduct of the Germans
in Belgium, including the execution
of Ydith Cavell. (4). Justified the
sinking of the Lusitania in the pres
ence of members of the Ridgewood
club in Columbi and in strong Ian
guage. 60. Questioned the accuracy
of statements made by Ambassador
Gerard. (6). Said the president
had been forced into the war by the
financial interests of the Morgans
and the Rockefellers.> CD. Boast
ed that he could have had commits
sion in the German army, but had
declined because he could be of more
service to Germany otherwise. (S).
Had bet that the first Liberty loan
would be a failure. 60. Had
sneered at the activities of the Red
Cross. All of these charges had
been incorporated in afidavits which
had been forwarded to the secretary
of the treasury by. Governor Manning,
with a letter in which the governor
said that the affidavits were made by
men who were known to him either
personally or by reputation, and he
would believe what they said. 1t de-
velops also that before the removal
of Won Engelken his case was inves-
tigated by Mr.. Moran, chief Of the
treasury secret service, and MIR. Mo-
rams report had corroborated the
charges. AS to whether or not the
case will now be re-opened has not
yet been made clear; but if it is
fact that Secretary Glass has at
tempted to exonerate Won Engelken,
it would appear that there must be
some face to to face testimony, along
with cross-examination of the wit
nesses, and no matter how the case
turns out, it looks like somebody
aught to go to the penitentiary.-
Yorkville Enquirer.