The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-12-09
LEAnNING AMERIcAN SECRETS.
story Told by "a Naval Officer-A
shrewd German mechanic"

shrewd German mechanic"
Washington Letter.
A naval officer to-day, in speaking
about the presence OF foreigners in the
navy, told the following story: II
was sent 10 Europe not long ago on an
important errand, and il became nay
duty to form tn acquaintance OF for
eign naval officers, in order to ac-
complish certain .nds | had IN view
| met many OF them at dinners, re-
ceptions and entertainments, and was
surprised ~ find out how well they
wer,. informed on American naval
affairs. | had occasion to 90 to kiel,
Germany, for the purpose of vi iting
tn dockyards there. | felt sure that
my credentials would admit me 10
inspect the place, but they did not. |
tried little game OF getting the de
sired pass, by reaching the officials
through the use OF wines and fine
dinners. One day fine-looking Ger
man officer met me as | was coming
out of the hotel. Hello said he,
slapping me on the shoulder, have
you got in yet?' He spoke such pure
Eng ish that for q moment or so | was
nonplused.
No | replied; will you get me
IMP
~ can't and thereupon he re-
marked: 1t Is easier TO get into your
yards than our
II looked at the officer intently and
found By his uniform that he was the
chef naval constructor, and the man
OF all men in Germany that | wanted
to meet. Will you take a glass OF
wine with me?' / asked. He con-
scented, and we returned to the hotel.
After few minutes conversation
we became quite friendly, and | was
surprised at the insight he had of our
naval officers. He astonished me by
inquiring about certain officers who
were at the New York navy yard dur
my curiosity, and | asked him: How
did you become acquainted with the
otfieers2' The story is a short one,
he replied. When the war broke out
in ISL | vas in the German navy and
| got orders TO go to Anne lea and
study your methods of building ships
and getting guns ready for use. When
| got TO New York my dress
was that OF plain German mechanic.
| got work as carpenter and
ujitE Il HlUtt,
and in short time | got used to the
nickname "Dutcby." Nobody knew
me, and my curious questions were
never suspected, and the workmen
readily and in good-humored way
answered them. | helped to build and
repair ships, and i'll time got hold of
much information. | made plans of
the vessels, machinery, guns, rigging.
and, in fact, got on TO everything.
worked hard at night in my room, and
kept my government as well posted "a
| could. The more English | learned
the better understood things that the
workmen said in my hearing. |
worked on the big ship Dunderberg !;
also on the Merrimac, at Norfolk, and
on some of the monitors. | sent much
valuable information home. Now you
see the reason why you can't get into
our yard.
the narrative was straightforward,
and was SO full of facts concerning
men and affairs that | readily saw
how the German naval constructor got
on to my visit, and, although | tried
TO convince him TO the contrary, he
was not to be hoodwinked. | know
where kiel is. and that it has a dock
yard, but III have to go to kiel as a
German mechanic before / get inside
OF that place. This shows how neces-
sary it is to keep an eye On foreigners
in our navy wards ii we want to keep
our secrets -