The Web : $b The Authorized History of the American Protective LeagueHough, Emerson
History
The Web : $b The Authorized History of the American Protective League
Hough, Emerson
American Protective League; Propaganda, German; World War, 1914-1918 -- Secret service -- United States
All of these revelations began to implicate certain Americans prominent
in business and in politics, so that at once the transaction by the
Senate Committee became the biggest news of the time, one recrimination
following another and one explanation another in rapid sequence. The
Committee, none the less, ground on, and produced original papers which
proved German methods beyond a doubt. Two code dispatches from von
Bernstorff to the Berlin Foreign Office were put into the evidence, one
of which was dated November 1, 1916, and stated: “Since the Lusitania
case, we have strictly confined ourselves to such propaganda as cannot
hurt us if it becomes known. The sole exception is perhaps the peace
propaganda, which has cost the least amount, but which also has been
the most successful.”
Again von Bernstorff states that it would not seem desirable for him
to be held responsible for any articles in the subsidized newspaper,
“when, as now, we are in a campaign of the bitterest character which is
turning largely upon foreign policy.”
Mr. Reiswitz of Chicago was on hand with estimates for his excellent
master at all times. In regard to the Embargo Conference, he wrote
in the first year of the war: “It would require an estimated amount
of $6,000 or $7,000. The contemplated continuation of the enterprise
would, in accordance with my opinion, be favorable to the entire German
vote, and would facilitate influencing German voters.” So we have at
once the first indication of the truth that the great German population
of America is to be handled for the particular purpose of advancing
Germany’s interests, not only in America but all over the world.
Mr. Bielaski read into the record documents alleging that the American
Press Association was contemplated as desirable for German control. A
memorandum by Dr. Albert, financial expert, stated that he would obtain
a thirty day option on the American Press Association for the price of
$900,000, with an additional $100,000 for news service. The memorandum
in full was introduced before the Committee.
Professor von Mach was stated by Mr. Bielaski to have been active in
behalf of interned prisoners, largely by way of his press agent, whom
he supplied with inspiration. Von Mach was later brought before the
Committee to explain in person as best he might certain publications
which he had put out in other form.
Mr. Bielaski stated that German interests advanced to the Bridgeport
Projectile Company $3,400,000, and that these interests got back
$1,000,000 of this money by selling a large part of the company’s
product to Spain.
Mr. Bielaski mentioned a society known as the “American Truth Society,”
organized in 1910 and reported to have been financed by the German
government, to what extent was undetermined. One record of a transfer
of $10,000 was shown.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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