Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-27
SPY IN THE CAMP
A French Clerk Betrays His
Government
TO ITALY AND TO GERMANY
Furnishing the Two Governments With
Plans Of the Naval Deiences Of
France-An American IA II.

PARIS, June 26.-A clerk named Grei-
ner, employed IN the Office of the keep
er-general of the national archives. has
confessed that IN return foi brlbes paid
to him by Germany aud Italy. he has
supplied TO the authorities Of those
countries plans OF the coast defences
of France. 1t appears from Greiner's
statement. which is apparently full and
unreserved, that he has furnished
Italy full details of the defences Of the
Mediterranean. including the plans, go
far as completed, for additional foTti-
fications 10 protect the harbor OF Tou-
ion, concerning which the Italian naval
authorities have eyinced great interest.
Germany paid Grenier literally for the
plans Of the defense of Cherbourg,
Havre and Brest. TIE revelation of
Greiner's treachery has caused great
CONSERVATION at French headquarters,
as the most jealous care has been OBJ
served 10 prevent foreigners from taxi
ing sketches either OF the anterior or
the coast detences of France,
ard the military and naval auth
critics, as well as the police,
are under strict instructions TO be Wig
liant IN inforcing the regulations IN
this respect. IL appears that espionage
has OF late been go difficult tnat the
war and admiralty Offices at Berlin and
Rome have nearly abandoned that
method af frultless of satisfactory re-
suits and addressed themselves directly
10 corrupting a subordinate who had
all the plans within reach. Susplclon
has been directed toward Greiner for
some time but II was not until within
few days that suspicion became cer-
tainty.
An Intercepted Letter.
II is understood that an intercepted
letter from Berlin gave the French
authorities the proof for which they
have been looking. GreIner was at
once arrested and subjected 10 severe
examination. He was told that il rested
with the authorities whether he should
be prosecuted on q charge OF treason
| and brought to the guillotine, or should
be prosecuted on tbs miider charge of
revealing state secrets, with term of
imprisonment as penalty. Greiner
broke down, aud although, II 10
claimed, no promise Was made to him
| to induce him to confess, hs
| acknowledged the extent TO which he
had betrayed the interests Of France 10
Germany and Italy. practically laying
bare to those two countries the secrets
which France has most jealo usly
guarded. 1t is said that General
Brault of tie war department was
called in during the examination and
was enraged at Greiner's confession
that he could with difficulty be re-
strained from striking BIN with his
sword.
Alterations Will BE Made.
1t is stated that the plans for the i'm
provement of Toulon defences will
probably be changed and that altcra-
tions will be made at other points so al
| to render Greiner's revelations Of ~
little value as possible to the triple
alliance. While the Frence govern
ment IS indignant at the course of Ger
many and Italy In invading the very
bureaus of the national administration
In order to receive Information ipjuri-
Gus TO France 1t Is not likely that any
remonstrance will be presented, as the
French themselves have recently
proved in the case Of an Englishman
named Holden TO have paid sums oi
money for the plans of the defencet
II VA 0ha w hasC OhCtOA tiott
money for plans of Gibraltar. Besides
IT is we'll known that numerous eples in
the employment of France frequent
the German garrisons near the from
tier.
An American Implicated.
The clerk Grenier, who has con.
fessed selling plans OF French coast de-
fenses to Germany and Italy. deciares
that Capt. Henry ID. Borup Of the ordi'
nance department of the United States
army, who is the military attache OF
the American legation here. bought
plans of the defenccs and cominuni-
Gated them 70 Germany and Italy.
Mr.. T. Jefferson Coolidge, the Amer
ican minister, has written q forma
letter to Captain Borup in regard r
charge made against him by Grenier
Captain Borup denies that he com
nunicatcd anything 10 Germany ol
Italy. He will not say whether hs
cent the document TO Washington. II
is probable that he will have 10 leave
Paris.