with money provided by Papen. It is difficult to believe that Count Bernstorff would have been innocent of the purpose for which this money was used. Then from Annex 2 it will be seen that on January 15, 1915, the well-known New York firm of G. Amsinck and Co., which is alleged to have British connections and which seems to have acted as regular financial agent for von Papen, paid $700 to Horn, who is believed to be the man who tried to blow up the Vanceboro' Bridge. Were Messrs. Amsinck and Co. aware of the purpose for which this money was being used, as they must have heard of the attempt shortly after its occurrence on February 2? It is suggestive that three days before this payment to Horn by Messrs. Amsinck and Co. the German Embassy paid $2000 into Captain von Papen's account, and three days after the attempt to blow up the Vanceboro' Bridge Count Bernstorff paid $2000 into the same account. Again on May 11, 1915, Captain von Papen paid $500 to the German Consulate at Seattle for Schulenburg. A dynamite explosion took place in Seattle Harbor on May 30, 1915. Is not this another case of cause and effect, and may not the $3600 paid into von Papen's account by the "Embassy" on March 25 have had a reference to this interesting episode? within forty-eight hours-but then there is no "British Vote" in the United States. No. 1. TRANSLATION OF A LETTER FROM R. Ministry of War. 5 Leipziger Strasse, Berlin, W. 66, March 12, 1914. According to newspaper reports, several railway trains were blown up by revolutionaries during the troubles in Mexico. In order to form an opinion whether, in the event of a European war, explosions of this kind would have to be reckoned with, it is requested that, if possible, information should be obtained as to how these attacks have been carried out. Were mines and explosives placed on lines which were little guarded or were the attacks carried out from the train by igniting a charge of dynamite, or by the employment of infernal machines? By Order, R. VON WILD. To Herr von Papen This significant inquiry at a peculiarly interesting moment (because) March, 1914, is the month in which the German Government is believed to have finally made up its mind on war the following summer and was putting the finishing touches on its preparations) was not answered for some months owing to the absence of Captain Papen in Mex We make no complaint-it is not our business: if the Americans like to have their harbors and bridges blown up by Bernstorff and Papen we don't mind, though we cannot help wondering what would have happened had the parts been transposed and a British Military Attaché had been convicted of the things brought home to von Papen and a British Ambassador suspected of those of which Bernstorff is rightly suspected. The British Gov-ico, ernment would have received an ultimatum from "Too Proud to Fight" as may be gathered from his reply (No. 5 in the White Paper). TRANSLATION OF LETTER FROM CAPΤΑΙΝ VON PAPEN TO THE WAR OFFICE. Military Attaché, J. No. 69 Mexico, July 29, 1914. Subject-matter Blowing up of the Railway. I received only yesterday the communication of the 12th March (J. No. 536-149 (sic.) A. 1). I am convinced from personal evidence that all the recent cases of destruction of railway lines by explosion were brought about by burying dynamite under the line itself and then igniting it by an electric current as soon as the train has reached the appointed place. I consider it out of the question that explosions prepared in this way would have to be reckoned with in any European war. They are only possible on lines that are ill-guarded, which, as in this country, often pass for miles through revolutionary districts, and have no protection other than a pilot train in front of the passenger train. The mountainous nature of the country and the highly artistic way in which the lines are laid (knustvolle Tracierung) greatly favor these attacks. Infernal machines so far as I know have never been employed. To the War Office. PAPEN. No. 2 of the White Paper is the translation of an extract from a letter from Captain Boy-Ed, German Naval Attaché in Washington, to his fellowconspirator. German Embassy, Washington, D.C. Military Attaché (at present Washington, May 25, 1914. Dear Papen,-Best thanks for your friendly and instructive letter of the 11th of May. Your arguments made a great impression, not only on Count Bernstorff, but also on the Austrian Ambassador (Dumba). At Bernstorff's suggestion your letter was confidentially communicated to the latter. In his reply Dumba said that your letter was remarkable for its terseness and lucidity. For my part, I was especially pleased by what you wrote about Huerta, the only strong man in Mexico. In my opinion, Admiral von Hintze (German admiral in Mexico) was not quite right in his estimate of him, for Huerta can scarcely be such a drunken ruffian as Hintze so often implies, if only because a chronic drunkard could hardly have kept so uncertain a position under such uncommonly difficult circumstances. I met a number of people in Mexico City who were in close touch with Huerta, and without exception they all spoke very highly of the President's patriotism, capacity and energy. I likewise do not share the views of our worthy admiral about the timeliness or the possibility of international intervention in Mexico. Yours, Boy-Ed. Next we have an extract from a letter from the Postdam branch of the Disconto Gesellschaft, a leading German bank which also honors London with a branch which is at the present time actually, we believe, run by Germans though nominally under British supervision. The envelope of this communication, which is signed "R. Mimel," is addressed to "S. H. Herrn Hauptmann von Papen, Military Attaché, German Consulate, Vera Cruz, via Galveston Torpedo Mail Service." Potsdam, July 25, 1914. Latterly the Bourses have been entirely under the influence of unfavorable political news. At one time it was rumored that Austria had mobilized two army corps and was to advance in company with Italy into Albania; at another time it was maintained that Austria was going to adopt a severer tone towards Serbia. Moreover there were constant rumors that Russia was again making efforts to come to an agreement with England providing for A report from Rear-Admiral von Hintze to the Imperial Chancellor, dated Mexico, July 21, 1914, pays a glowing tribute to Captain von Papen, accompanied by this recommendation: Herr von Papen leaves on the 30th July for Washington. I should be guilty of an omission if I did not mention him with commendation to Your Excellency on this occasion. I would, however, go further, and humbly mention to Your Excellency that I consider that "the services of Captain von Papen during his appointment here warrant his recommendation to the favor of His Majesty the Emperor and King." Captain von Papen already possesses, among Prussian decorations, the Royal Order of the Crown (4th Class). Then came the anti-climax: I humbly submit to Your Excellency the request that you would be so good as to lay before His Majesty the proposal that he should bestow upon him the 4th Class of the Order of the Red Eagle. As the crisis developed in July, 1914, the indispensable Papen hustled back from Mexico to Washington, preceded by this "cable in naval cipher" to Boy-Ed July 29, 1914. Leaving Vera Cruz Sunday Mail Tug. If necessary arrange business for me too with Pavenstedt. Then inform Lerssner. Russian Attaché ordered back to Washington by Telegraph. On outbreak of war have intermediaries located by detective where (sic) Russian and French Intelligence Office. ΡΑΡΕΝ. He evidently had no illusions concerning peace. The first of the Papen papers after the outbreak of war is a communication from "Always yours gratefully Filipino," written from "the acting great General Staff, Section 3 B Political Section," beginning "My dear Aggregado Militar," dated Berlin, N. W. 40, September 29, 1914. It is interesting for two reasons, firstly, as establishing Papen's Press activities, not that they have ever been seriously disputed, and, secondly, as disclosing the gravity of the check to Germany on the Marne. Herewith I send you (by order of Section 3 B) a few articles which have been passed for publication in all home and foreign papers. You will please arrange for them to have wide publicity. If I can ever be of any service to you here, I will gladly do so. I hold myself at your commands. These articles. will show you how one can become celebrated in a short time. The war news which you receive in America, in spite of all our efforts here, will prove meagre and not in accordance with the truth. At first things went on at a giant's pace; at present, however, there is a hitch; but I hope that by the time you receive these few lines this will have been overcome. The Austrians are fighting well, but their leadership is bad; they had to retreat as far as the Carpathians. The reaction on the Balkans and Italy's attitude is correspondingly bad; but we-i.e. our troops-will pull the matter through all right. Of course, you will stay in the U.S.A. as long as the war lasts and it will probably drag on over the winter. There is an interval of six months before the next letter, which is from Lieut.-Col. H. Herwarth (formerly German Military Attaché in Washington) to Papen, dated Berlin, March 10, 1915, containing warm tributes to Americans, firstly Major Langhorne, United States Military Attaché in Berlin at the outbreak of the war: Of course you know he is returning. Everyone regrets his departure. He is quite exceptionally popular with everyone here (Berlin). The second recipient of Colonel Herwarth's compliments is a certain Mr. Edward Lyell Fox, alleged to be VicePresident and General Manager of Wildman's Magazine and News Services. I Lyell Fox can give you news of Berlin. He is reliable and understands how shamefully dependent on England the United States has become. Pro forma, of course, he is neutral (our italics). think there will soon be a big change in American opinion. I should like to write more, but there is no time. We are frantically busy here in the Press section. A small part of our work is now being printed, as you will observe from the Nord Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung which I enclose. Let Boy-Ed have a look at it, and give him my kind regards. He has probably received my pamphlet on the campaign of enlightenment in America. The artless American who is apt to take "campaigns of education" seriously as "the spontaneous expression of public opinion" will be interested to learn on such unimpeachable authority as the ex-German Military Attaché in Washington that, like everything else, this propaganda is run by the Great General Staff of Berlin, which is a political no less than a military institution, though the politics are always subordinated to militarism. There is another letter from "Your Herwarth old friend (today promoted to Lieut.-Colonel)": Berlin, March 22, 1915. Dear Papen,-I hope that you and Boy-Ed have received all my letters which I forwarded to you through Langhorne and Fox (our italics). Would you do me a great favor? Shortly before I left Washington I sent a bill to the War Office for books and maps purchased, etc. This bill of about 36 or 40 dollars duly reached the War Office but the amount was not immediately paid over to me, because the War Office had written to ask you whether the necessary vouchers were available. Perhaps you could look into this matter when next you go to Washington. I hope people over there will gradually see reason, and I am sure that you and Boy-Ed will do your share to contribute to this result. I do all I can by influencing the reporters, who always come to me (our italics). An innocent layman unversed in military etiquette might be tempted to ask en passant whether it was altogether "cricket" for Major Langhorne, the Military Attaché of the United States in Berlin, to carry dispatches from the German General Staff to the German Military and Naval Attachés in Washington during war between Great Britain and Germany? One might have thought that like Mr. Lyell Fox, Major Langhorne in so doing was only exhibiting "pro forma" neutrality, somewhat inadequate in an American official? Then we have a gushing letter from the great Bernhardi, who had been requisitioned by his Government to undo the disastrous effect of his book by propaganda in the minor key in the American Press: Posen, General Headquarters, Dear Captain,-I beg to thank you most sincerely for your kindness in sending me a copy of the New York Sun containing my two articles. I am glad to hear that these articles will, in your opinion, have a good effect, as far as that is at all possible in America. The advertising manner in which they publish things is of course thoroughly American; a private communication of mine has been printed without any authority from me. I have now written two further series of articles for America. The Foreign Office wanted to have the first of these, entitled "Germany and England," distributed in the American Press; the other, entitled "Pan-Germanism," was to appear in the Chicago Tribune. I shall be very glad if you could forward to me one copy of each of these articles. They will certainly have some sort of effect. This is evident from the inexpressible rage with which the British and French Press have attacked these two Sun articles. They have insulted me in the most incredible way. However, I agree with you that military success will be the decisive factor for opinion in America. But, also, England's interference with American trade will not fail to have a certain effect. I hope that both will take effect together. I think, however, that especially in the West, where I expect there will soon be a big attempt to break through, we have serious and difficult times to look forward to, but I confidently believe that we shall successfully overcome them. With best wishes, etc. FR. BERNHARDI. Please remember me kindly to Herr von Bernstorff. The twelfth document in the White Paper consists of extracts from the letter of our "pro forma" neutral friend, Mr. Edward Lyell Fox, Vice-President and General Manager of Wildman's Magazine and News Services. It was "conveyed to America by hand," addressed "My dear Papen," and written from "Hotel Adlon, Berlin, W., July 28": Just a few words to let you know how things are going. I explained to v. Herwarth (Lieut.-Colonel now) the difficulties of your work in N. Y. I presented your letter to Major Deutelmoser and delivered and posted everything else. Prince Hatzfeld had me out to luncheon and gave me an interview on America's work in the German Red Cross, which I hope to send out from Berlin by Saturday. Princess Friedrich Leopold of Prussia had me out to Potsdam and we got up (sic) an interview on "The Spartan German Woman in Time of War." But best of all there is something big coming through the Foreign Office Prince Henry on the Freedom of the Seas. So you see I have been fairly busy the short time I have been here. Your Berlin looks wonderful this summer; the climate, they tell me, is unusually good. Of course, on the part of the masses, there is an undercurrent against Americans, but the people worth while are all splendidly broadminded. It is my sincere conviction, and the belief of many other American correspondents here, that the misunderstandings between our countries is due to the poor advice and the warped viewpoint of the American Embassy in Berlin. |