The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-27
STATE SECRETS.
A FRENCH CLERK SELLS VALUABLE
STATE SECRETS. J.
BOUGHT by ITALY AND GERMANY,
An ATTACHE or THE AMERICAN
LEGATION IMPLICATED.

WASHINGTON, June 27.--The clerk
named Grenier, employed in the.
French navy department was arrested
Friday last in Paris, charged with con-
veying documents relative to the.
French defences to Germany and Italy.
He declares that Henry D. Borup, Of
the ordinance department Of the Uni
ted States, Army, who is the military
attache of the American legation in
Paris, bought plans of the defenses
and communicated them to Germany
and Italy.
Mr.. T. jefferson Coolidge, the Am
erican minister to France, has written
. formal letter to Captain Borup in
regard to the charge made against
him by Grenier.
CAPTAIN Borup denies that he COM
municated anything to Germany or
Italy. He viii not say wether he sent
the documents to Washington. It is
probable that captain Borup win have
to leave Paris.
Captain Borup admits that Grenier
gave him certain documents. His re-
Spouse to Mr.. Coolidge's demand for
an explanation is an emphatic protest
against the charge that he commnni-
Gated anything to Germany or Italy.
Mr.. Coolidge has communicated Cap
tain Borup's protest to NJ. Ribot,
French minister Of foreign affairs.
Grenier was some time ago suspected
Of espionage in favor Of Gremany and
Italy. 1t is alleged that documents
entrusted to him were greatly delayed
before they arrived at their destination.
Captain Borup has positively denyed
that he has ever, either directly or in
directly, communicated with Germany
or Italy.
Secretary of War Elkins and Acting
Secretary Wharton each said yester-
day afternoon that they had received
no information whatever in regard to
the charge against Captain Borup.
The story Of Grenier has attracted a
great deal of attention among army
and navy officers in Washington. 1t
is not generally believed that Captain
Borup could have been a party to any
such sale in the manner stated by
Grenier. The general opinion is that
CREME probably had dealings with
attaches of the German and Italian
governments as well as with Captain
Borup, but when arrested confessed to
having sold the plans only to the lat
ter, thinking he would be more lenient-
ly dealt with for selling them to an at
tache Of the United States than to
either of the countries belonging to
the triple alliance. Though the off,
Gals in position to know would not
say anything about the matter, it is
not generally doubted but that Cap
tain Borup bought for this govern
ment anything of value Grenier had to
sell. 1t is the business of military
and naval attaches to get all the in
formation they can, and much of ii
is knowledge that the governments to
which they are accredited would be
very glad to keep secret. When it
becomes necessary for American at
taches abroad to spend money for the
they secure, the expense
IS borne by the secret service fund of
the State Department, Of which no
account is rendered.
Every government preserves more
Or less secrecy about its military and
naval affairs, and even the United
States, which conceals less than any
other nation, keeps certain things
secret, or if foreign governments know
about them they have obtained their
IN much the same way
Captain Borup is alleged to have secur-
ID his plans Of the French forts. "a
naval officer who has had some exper-
ience in obtaining important inforna-
ion abroad said last night he would
lot be surprised if it would turn ont
hat the American, German and italian
attaches had entered into pool ar
angement by which each one was to
ave the benefit Of, any information
ecured by any otherlone. tits said the
'rench government cannotdo anything
n the matter further than ask to have
'aptain Borup recalled. They can, oil
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