AMAZING DOCUMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2612, 6 November 1915, Page 12

AMAZING DOCUMENTS

FOUND ON AN AMERICAN JOURNALIST

M. DUMBA AND MR, ARCHIBALD

Many of the "Archibald documents," some of them of a most amazing- character ,wore published recently by (the British Government as a Wliito Paper. Amongst them is a statemont from Count von Bornstorff tn tho effect that

nothing wrong has been done by the Germans, but this does not agree with tho admissions of bis Military Attache and of the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador. Archibald is the American journalist who was detained while on his

way into Germany from America, and among the documents found on him and now published aro those letters from Dr. Dumba, the Austrian Ambassador to tho Unitod States, which caused the United States Government to demand his withdrawal. Thirty-four papers in all were found. Four aro cypher dispatches from the German or Austrian ISmbassies to the Berlin or Vienna Foreign Office.

While these aro not reproduced as a whole, the public are permitted to read the concluding words of one—from Captain von Pa-pen, German Military Attache to the Obiff of the General Staff, Berlin:

"All internal questions here, together with Irish Catholic movements, place serious problems in way outside* of existing difficulties. No encouraging news from India or Australia. Antijap feeling has not abated as was expected Australia."

Seventeen of the documents are not considered sufficiently interesting to warrant publication. Of the others the following is a summary:—

"German Ambassador to State Department,' June J.2.—Purchase of arms factories denied. Right to do so affirmed. Purchases would remain in United States till end of war, and iihen be re-transferred to United States Government. ■

"Count Bornstorff to Mr. Lansing, August 18.—Explains nature of papers stolon from Dr. Albert, Financial Adviser to the German Embassy. Denies accusations in 'New York World' as to

purchase of ammunition, instigation of strikes, and secret attempts to influence American opinion.

Dr. Dumba. to Mr. Archibald; August 20 (?). —Asks Mr. Archibald to forward letters through Austro-Hungarian Legation at The Hague or Embassy in Ber-

lin. j Count Berastorff to Mr. Archibald, August 19. —Transmits three letters of introduction to German military and civil authorities, to Dr. von Kuhlmann at The Hague and to German Customs authorities.

Captain von Ripen, German Military Attache, to Chief of General Staff, Berlin, August 20.—Cypher dispatch enclosing report in which it is stated that an official of tho British Consulate at Philadelphia has been overheard explaining a method l of conveying military information by photographs. Dr. Dumba to Baron Burian, Austrian Foreign Slinister, August 20.— Transmits and recommends for favour-, able consideration scheme from editor of

"Szabadsag" to disorganise, if not entirely prevont,' ; »the manufacture of munitions in certain factories, by arranging strikes. Financial support will bo required by newspapers to start ne.cessary Press agitation. Exactly what Dumba Said. Dr. Dumba, in the course of his letter,'said: — "Mr. Archibald, who is well known to your Excellency, leaves to-day for Berlin and Yienna. I take this rare and safe opportunity of warmly recommending tho proposals to your Excellency's favourable consideration.

"It is my impression that we can disorganise and hold up for months, if not entirely prevent, tho manufacture of munitions in Bethlehem and the Middle West, which, in the opinion of tho Gorman Military Attacho, is of great importance, and amply outweighs tho comparatively small expenditure of money involved. But even if the strikes do not come off, it is probable that we should oxtort, under pressure of circumstances ["unter dem Drucke der conjunctur'], more favourable conditions of labour for our poor, down-trodden fellow-countrymen. In Bethlehem these white slaves are now working'for twelve hours a day and seven days a week I All weak persons 6iiccumb and become consumptive. "So far as German workmen are found among tEe skilled hands, a means of leaving will be provided immediately foy them. Besides this, a private German registry office has been established, which provides employment for persons who have voluntarily given up their places, and it is already working well. We shall also join in, and the widest support i 6 assured us. papen's Ijisult to America. There is a- letter of August 20 from Captain von Papen to his wife, commenting on the theft of papers from Dr. Albert, tho financial adviser to tho German Embassy. Among them were important documents relative to the buying up of liquid chlorine and phenol (from which explosives are made). This letter adds: ■■ "Wo have great neecr of being 'bucked up,' as they say here. Since Sunday a now storm has been raging against us and because of what? I'm sending you a few cuttings from the newspapers that ■will amuse you. Unfortunately they stole a fat portfolio from our good Albert in the Elevated (English secret service, of.courso!), of which the principal contents havo been published. You can imagine the sensation among the Americans! Unfortunately there were some very important things from my report among them, such as tho buying up of liquid chlorine and about the Bridgeport Projectile Company, as well as documents regarding the buying up of phenol (from which explosives aro made), and the acqiiisition of _tho Wright's aeroplane patent. But things liko that must occur. I send you Albert's reply to you to see how we protect ourselves. We composed the document together yesterday. "It seems quite likely that wo shall meot again soon. Tho sinking of the Adriatic [sic] • may wroll be the last straw. I hope in our interest that the danger will blow over. . . . How splendid on the Eastern front. I always say to these idiotic Yankees thev had hotter hold their tongues—it's hotter to look at all this heroism full of admiration. My friends in the army, are quite different in tliia way." These and other documents wero all found on Archibald at Falmouth.