Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-11-28
AMERICAN SECRETS.

How They Were Learned by an Enterpris
ing German Official.
A naval officer to-day, in speaking
about the presence of foreigners in the
navy, told the following story: Il 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. I met many of
them at dinners, receptions and enter
tainments, and was surprised to find
out how we'll they were informed on
American naval affairs. l had occasion
to go to Kiel, Germany, for the purpose
OF visiting the dockyards there. I felt
sure that my credentials would admit
me to inspect the place, but they did
not. l tried a little game of getting
the desired pass, by reaching the off,
Gals through the use of wines and fine
dinners. One day fine looking Ger
man officer met me as was coming out
of my hotel. Hello said he, slapping
me on the shoulder, have you got in
yet?' He spoke such pure English
that for a moment or SO I was non-
plused."
"'No,' I replied, will you get me imp
81 can't and thereupon he re-
marked: 1t is easier to get into your
yards than ours
Il 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 l
wanted to meet. Will you take glass
of wine with me?' I asked. He con-
sented, and we returned to the hotel.
'After few minutes conversation
we became quite friendly, and l was
surprised at the insight he had of our
naval officers. He astonished me by
lnquiring about certain officers who
were at the New York Navy Yard dur
ing the late war. / could not restrain
my curiosity, and I asked him: How
did you become acquainted with the
ofhcers?' The story is q short one,'
he replied. When the war broke out
in 1861, I was in the German navy,
and got orders to 60 to America and
study your methods of building ships
and getting guns ready for use. When
I got to New York my dress was that
of q plain German mechanic. got
work as a carpenter and shipjoiner
under a fictitious name, and in a short
time I got used to the nickname
''Dutchy." Nobody knew: me and my
,.nS1,,
pected, and the workmen readily and
in a good-humored way answered
them. I helped to build and repair
ships, and in time got hold of much
information. made plans of the YES
sci, machinery, gun rigging, and, in
fact, got on to everything. I worked
hard at night in my room and kept
my Government as we'll posted as I
could. The more English 1 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'tget into our yard
1.-The narrative was straightforward,
and was so full of facts concerning
men and affairs, that I readily saw
how the German naval constructor
got on to my visit, and although I tried
to convince him to the contrary, he
was not to be hoodwinked. I know
where Kiel is, and that it has dock
yard, but I'll have to go to Kiel as
German mechanic before can get in
side of that place. This shows how
necessary it is to keep an eye on for
eigners in our navy yards if we want
to keep our secrets. - y ashsngto,, Cor.
Baltimore american.