The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-12-20
Foreigners Learning American Sc
crets.

A naval officer to-day, in speaking
about the presence of foreigners in the
navy, told the following: II was sent
to Europe not long ago on an i'm
portant errand. and it became my duty
to form the acquaintance of foreign
naval officers, in order to accomplish
certain ends | had in view met
many of them at dinners, receptions
and entertainments, and was surprised
to find out how we'll they were informed
on American naval affairs. had occa-
sion to go to Kiel. Germany, for the
purpose of visiting the dockyards there.
felt sure that my credentials would
admit me to inspect the place, but they
did not. lried little game of get
ting he desired pass, by reaching the
officials through the use of wines and
fine dinners. One day a fine-looking
German officer met me rs ! was COM
ing out of my hotel. Hello said he,
slapping me on the shoulder. shave
you got in yetP'. He spoke such pure
English that for a moment or SO was
nonplused."
mo replied, will you get me
imp"
".I can't" and thereupon he re-
marked: 1T is easier to get into your
yards than ours
81 looked at the officer intently and
found by his uniform that he was the
chief naval constructor, and the man
of all men in the German navy that /
wanted to meet. will you take
glass of wine with mee" | asked He
consented,and we returned to the hotel.
After few mintues' 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
during the late war. | could not re-
strain my curiosity, and asked him:'
How did you berome acquainted with
the officersP' The story is short
one,' he replied. When the war broke
out in 1861, l was in the German navy.
and | got orders to 60 to America aud
study your method of building ships
and getting guns ready for use. When
l got to New York my dress was that
of a plain German mechanic. l got
work as carpenter and shipjOiner un-
der fictitious name, and in a short
time / got used to the nickname of
''Dutchy." Nobody knew me and my
curious questions were never suspected.
and the wOrkmen readily and in a
good-humored way answered them.
helped to build and repair ships, and
In time got hold of much information.
1 made plans of the vessels, machin-
cry, rigging, and. in fact, got on to
everything. l worked hard at night
in my room, and kept my government
as well posted rs | could. The more
English learned the better l under
stood things that the workmen said in
my hearing. l worked on the big ship
punderbergi also on the Merrimao. at
Norfolk, and on some of the monitors.
l sent much valuable Information
home. Now you see the reason why
you can't get into our yard
1.-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 1 tried to
convince him to the contrary, he was
not to be hoodwinked. l know where
Kiel is. and that it has adOckyard, but
I'll have to go to Kiel as German me-
chanic before | can get inside of that
place, This shows how necessary 1t is
to keep an eye on foreigners in our
navy yards if we want to keep our Sc.
crets. . Washington Chat In The Baitt-
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