All the facts in the vast scheme mapped out by Dr. Albert for outwitting John Bull’s blockade, have been developed by the Attorney-General of England and set forth in the prize courts there. It has been shown that Albert backed the purchase of cotton by the shipload, that he acquired vessels under neutral flags for carrying these cargoes to neutral countries. He spent millions of dollars in the purchase of meat. For instance, Dr. C. T. Dumba, Austro-Hungarian Ambassador, writing to Baron Burian from New York, tells of an interview in Chicago with a beef packer.
“No fewer than thirty-one ships, with meat and bacon shipments from his firm to Sweden, with a value of $19,000,000, have been detained,” he says, “in British ports for months under suspicion of being ultimately intended for Germany. The negotiations have been long drawn out, because Mr. Meagher and his companion will not accept a lame compromise, but insist on full compensation or release of the consignments in which the bacon may still remain sound.”
A TWO-FACED PROPAGANDIST
Dr. Albert issued a statement which purports to be a complete reply to the charges in regard to a secret German propaganda in the United States. He said that the purchase of ammunition plants in this country was justifiable, argued for an embargo on arms and ammunition, charged Great Britain with piracy on the high seas, denied that the German Government financed press agents, and asserted that the German Government had not started any under-cover newspaper campaign in this country. He said it was inevitable that all sorts of wild and irresponsible offers, proposals and suggestions should be addressed from every conceivable quarter to one holding the official position in which he was placed as an accredited agent of one of the great nations engaged in this unfortunate world-wide war. He referred to the strike letters as junk, and said that he should not be held responsible for every crank that wrote him a letter.
That statement was for the American public. Dr. Albert’s real sentiments are shown vividly in a letter which he wrote to Captain von Papen from San Francisco after the announcement of the President’s decision to send the military attaché out of the country. Here is part of it:
“Well, then! How I wish I were in New York and could discuss the situation with you and B. E.! Many thanks for the telegram. The ‘Patron’ also telegraphed that I was to continue the journey. So we shall not see each other for the present. Shall we at all before you leave? It would be my most anxious wish; but my hope is small. For this time, I suppose, matters will move more quickly than in Dumba’s case. I wonder whether our Government will respond in a suitable manner! In my opinion, it need no longer take public opinion so much into consideration, in spite of its being artificially and intentionally agitated by the Press and the legal proceedings, so that a somewhat ‘stiffer’ attitude would be desirable, naturally quiet and dignified!
“If you should leave New York before my return, we must try to come to some agreement about pending questions by writing. Please instruct Mr. Amanuensis Igel as precisely as possible. You will receive then in Germany the long-intended report of the expenses paid through my account on your behalf. I would be very thankful to you if you would then support the question of a monetary advance which you know of, although I know that I was mistaken in my opinion, that I acted as your representative and according to your wishes.”
When all the work of Dr. Albert is summed up and taken into consideration with his propaganda in association with Captain von Papen and Captain Boy-Ed, the impression remains that he, a guest of the United States, was immersed in plans that were aimed at the honour and integrity of this republic.