Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-15

France, at his intended landing place, Brest
G-2-B sent there every available I. p. Qntel.
ligence Police to work with the French in
sitting rumors that French Radicals had got
money from Bolshevk Russia for an uprising
on the day of President Wilson's arrival The
men back of it were reported desperate enough
to turn the welcome ceremonies into shambles
with bomb. The first victim was to be the
President of the United States.
For weeks before his landing, probably the
largest force of American secret agents that
ever worked together in one place in France
combed Brest for the plotters. Some posed @
Americans, statesmen, journalists or as English
men, for most Frenchmen they met knew no
difference in accent.
All professed Red sympathies ranging from
crimson to pink, in the restaurants and cafes
they frequented and where they spent many
capitalist dollars. They became friends OF
known radicals and labor leaders who were
numerous in Brest with its munitions plants
and docks. Presently the fake parlor Bolsheviks
began to get results.
I'VE are slaves, we working peoplel", some
French leaders said. THE only way to get our
right is to attract the attention Of the world
by demonstration against the most prominent
man in the world, as he lands on European
soil. If 1t is necessary, we will kill him. Rus
STA has shown that we must be ruthless"
Knowing now who were plotting and what.
secret service started to checkmate them. Most
of the American and English comrades-not
quite all, which might have aroused suspicion
began to be doubtful.
But after ALL" they said, docs Wilson know
your grievances? American labor is well
treated He may turn out to be your best
friend in Europe. Don't kill the goose that
lays the golden eggs"
okarf he sxn dab;
places. the I. P.'s spread this word Some
received it with ugly snarls, but more with
mods Two days before the Presidents arrival.
some French leaders got together, American
I. P.'s among them, and decided to give up
assassination and revolt Instead they would
present to President Wilson petition.
So when President Wilson first touched
French SOIL the Frenchman who stepped from
the crowd and dashed to within 10 feet OF
him before being felled by French police held
in his hand neither bomb nor pistol, but an
engroSsed resolution, signed by many labor or.
CARNATIONS in BreSt, asking consideration Of
their grievances The I. p. had done their job.
After that there were repeated warnings Of
plots against the President, all Of which had
to be investigated, though few proved worth the
effort. In March, 1919, came word that a real
meeting of known anarchist exIes in Switzer.
land had decided to aSsaSsinate President Will
soma decision without result
Then came warning letter to Gen. Pershing
himself, by French mail from an American
soldier at LangreS, saying that two men whom
he knew to be German spies were in France to
kill President Wilson. Then came a second
letter, saying that the two had left for Paris
to do the deed but never fear, two American
doughboys (not MarinesD were following and
had the situation in hand.
''Find EN-" said Col. Moreno to one of his
cleverest I. P.s. And within "a hours that
I. P. had found them-that is, he had found
the two doughboys There were no GeJmans
to find. The two doughboys had invented them
to explain little trip A. w. o. L. to their
company commander, whom throughout their
war service they had fooled into believing them
in the secret service and so privileged char
acters.
A REAL plot to kill President Wilson was
frustrated in the United States primarily
through counter espionage regulations. At the