The German Secret Service in America 1914-1918Jones, John Price
History
The German Secret Service in America 1914-1918
Jones, John Price
World War, 1914-1918 -- Secret service -- Germany
Von Bernstorff himself wrote on March 15, 1915, to Marcus Braun, a
Hungarian, and editor of a review called _Fair Play_:
"_My dear Mr. Braun_:
"In answer to your favor of the 12th instant, I beg to say that I
have read the monthly review _Fair Play_ for the last 3 years, and
I can state that this publication is living up to its name, and
that it has always taken the American point of view. During the
last 7 months _Fair Play_ has, in its editorial policy, treated
all belligerents justly and thereby rendered great services to
the millions of foreign born citizens in this country, especially
to those of German and Austro-Hungarian origin. _Fair Play_
has fought for the rights of the latter and for truth, always
maintaining an American attitude and showing true American spirit.
"You are at liberty to show this letter to anybody who is
interested in the matter, but I beg you not to publish it, as to
(do) this would be contrary to the instructions of my government,
who does not wish me to publicly advertise any review or newspaper.
"Very sincerely yours,
"J. BERNSTORFF."
On May 28, 1915, J. Bernstorff signed another gratifying document for
the same Braun--a check for $5,000 payable to the Fair Play Printing &
Publishing Company. Such was the reward of "true American spirit."
When Germany embarked upon an enterprise she usually followed charts
prepared by trained surveyors. Her attempts at newspaper and magazine
propaganda in the first ten months of war had been hastily conceived
and not altogether successful. One of the most comprehensive reports
which has come to light is a recommendation, dated July, 1915, in
which the investigator discusses the feasibility of a strong German
news-syndicate in America.
It was to be operated by two bureaus, one in Berlin as headquarters for
all news and pictures from Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey and the
Balkans, one in New York for distribution of the matter to the American
press. Correspondents from America were to be given the privileges of
both Eastern and Western fronts, from 3,000 to 4,000 words a day were
to be sent by wireless from Nauen to Sayville, secret codes were to be
arranged so that the cable news might be smuggled past the enemy in
the guise of commercial messages. The bureau in New York was to gather
American news for Germany, and the service was eventually to extend
over the whole world.
[Illustration:
GERMAN EMBASSY
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Washington, D.C., March 15, 1915.
J.Na 4344
My dear Mr. Braun,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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