GERMAN INTRIGUES AND PLOTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 17

GERMAN INTRIGUES AND PLOTS.

THE ARGENTINE AND SWEDEN

Feeling ran high in tho Argentine Republic over the action of the Swedish Consul at Buenos Aires transmitting German code cables. In come of which information was given of the movements and whereabouts of Argentine vessels. Tho Argentine Senate voted in favour of severing relations with Germany. Germany has recalled Count Luxburg, and apologised to_ the Argentine, stating that she entirely disapproves of Count Luxburg's words Tho German Note states that Germany exceedingly regrets the affair and absolutely disapproves of Luxburg's views, which, were his own personal ideas, and will have no effect whatever on the decisions and promises of the German Government.

After the Government sent the ultimatum to Germany the crowds in the streets gave cheers for the ultimatum. All the German business houses took the precaution to barricade their premises. The German Note leaves doubt as to whether Germany intends to modify the submarine campaign, but has had the effect of postponing Argentina's declaration of war.

Great meetings of Socialists and Liberals in Sweden, presided over respectively by M Branting and Professor Eden, resolved to strongly protest against the Conservative Government s conduct over .the Luxburg affair, and emphasised the determination of the Swedish people to maintain a strict neutrality. The Socialists demanded a change of Government. Germany has sent a Note to the Swedish Government expressing regret that the telegrams wore sent from Buenos Aires, and pointing out that the Swedish Government did not know the contents of these messages, and the German Government hae now instructed all its representatives in foreign countries to refuse to accede to any attempt to force them to reveal to Sweden the contents of any code telegrams they may transmit.

Four Swedish mail bags intended for America have been seized by the British authorities at Halifax. The results of the elections in Sweden are known from four-fifths of the constituencies. The Conservatives lost 22 scats, the Socialists winning six, the Liberals four, and the new Peasant party 12. The Argentine disclosures and food regulations are the chief causes of the Government defeat. Hn the Parliament which the one now being elected is to succeed the parties stood: Conservative, 86; Socialists,* 85; Liberals, 57. The results so far would place the strength of the parties thus t Conservatives, 64; Socialists, 91; Liberals, 61; Peasant party 12. Thero are still 46 seats to be filled.]

REVELATIONS IN AMERICA

The State Department (Washington) announces that Count Bernstorff in January requested the German Foreign Office to send 50,000 dollars to influence Congress in favour of peace. The State Department aimnounces that Count Bernstorff sent the following message to Berlin on January 22, 1917: "I request your authority to pay-'up to 50,000 dollars, in order, as on former occasions, to influence Congress through the organisation you know of, which can perhaps prevent war. I am beginning in the meantime to act accordingly. In tho above circumstances a public official German declaration in favour of Ireland is highly desirable, in order to gain the support of the Irish influence here."

Congress expects to begin an investigation into tho question whether its members accepted money from Count BernstoriT. Tho subject has produced an enormous sensation, strengthening tho patriotic majority in Congress against tho small querulous minority, who are demanding lengthy debates on all war measures. This incident, with others of a similar character, is regarded as most significant. Tho Amorican Secret Service Corps possesses copies of tho German diplomatic codes, and iho Kaiser is no longer able secretly to communicate with his diplomats abroad.

Tho Times's Washington correspondent says that the Committee of Pubiio Information have published an exposure of German intrigues in America, accompanied by photographic exhibits, including facsimiles of receipts to the German Embassy for 6000 .dollars from tho Journalist named Archibald, who was caugnt carrying despatches for Dr Dumba, the former Austrian Ambassador; 1000 dollars from Edwin

Emerson, who went to Germany aa a wai correspondent fur a New York paper; aJjso a pliotograiih. convicting Oaptain TOIJ l'apen, former German military attaoha, of paying for bombing ships. The documents were seized at von. EigcTs so-called advertising bureau In ISIS, They show the extraordinary ramification* of the German Government's spy (system and the plotting of outrages. l'hey alflQ prove tho connection between German diplomats and tho Irish revolutionary movements.

It was a New York Irishman who acted as go-between for Germany in her dealing* with tho late Sir Roger Casement. A oipher document, addressed to Coun| Bernstorfr in April, 1916, incriminate* Oohalan, a Justice of the New Yorl| Supremo Court, who is a prominent IrishAmerican. Cohalan wrote: "A revolution in Ireland can only be successful if it i» supported by Germany, tho help necessary; conteisting primarily m aerial attacks 0$ England and a diversion with tho Germaii floefc elmultanoously with the Irish revolution, and then a landing of troops with arms and ammunition in Ireland. Thifl would enable the Irish ports to be closed against England and the establishment o| submarine stations on the Irish coast out* ting off supplies for England; and the success of the revolution may decide the war."

The documents also disclose a plot foy fomenting, ill-feeling in Mexico and America, and subsidising labour trouble* in American munition works. The voty Eigel documents refer to several monetary payments to Casement, including a cheque for 10,000 dollars.

The Committee say it is an open secret that Holland is merely a midway station for the shipment of contraband to Germany. The American State Department deprecates the interpretation that United State* Congressmen have been affected by Count Dornstorff’s money. It believes it wais expended by organisation to bombard Congressmen with telegrams and petitions in favour of peace. The Government Investigation Committee’s report shows that the dato of the sailing of the first American troops was communicated by a New York firm Spain, and thenoo sent by wireless to Germany. The report adds that there is no doubt that many German spies ora sprinkled throughout the "United States army, and the committee advocates a stricter censorship. Justice Cohalan has issued a statement denying that he sent any advice to Germany. He says he did not know von Edge!. The New York World, in an editorial, urges Justice Coha lan’s removal from the Bench. The Now York Herald declares that there is still a directing geniua of the German, propaganda in the’ United States, with unlimited funds. IN THE PHILIPPINES. A German intrigue has been unearthed in the Philippines. The German Yico-con&ul at Cebu has been arrested on a charge of attempting to start an insurrection. It is alleged that ho promised the Filipinos any white woman in Cebu they might choose on condition that they joined in a revolt against the United States. OUTRAGE AND TREASON IN ITALY. A court-martial has opened in Roma in connection with the blowing up of a dynamite factory at Congio in February, 1916. with a terrible death roll, and a series of vast incendiary outbreaks at Genoa in December, 1915, and February, 1916. The accused are Sergeant-major Rsnattl, his wife, his father-in-law, and four others. The defendants are also charged with giving information to the Austrians. The trial is proceeding behind closed doors. The Italian authorities have discovered a treasonable circular which was issued by the Socialist Committee at Florence. It demands the immediate end of the war and the commencement of a fight for the expropriation of land. The Socialists generally strongly object to the extremists’ propaganda, which, they state, is fed on German secret funds. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT. The French Chamber of Deputies passed a vote of confidence in the Government by 378 votes to 1. This was after an interpellation demanding a reply to the enemy’s peace manoeuvres. M. Painleve said Franco adhered to President Wilson’s reply to the Papal Peace Note. Subsequently M. Painleve, In announcing < the Government’s policy, said it was giving all its attention to assembling all the forces of the nation for the supremo phase of the war. M. Pain* levo emphasised tho statement that the nearer the end came the more essential towards victory would bo the moral resistance of the nation. The enemy, which was unable to conquer on the battlefield, was about to redouble its and the Government must redouble its vigilance against