St. Paul daily globe., 1892-06-26
French Military Men Terri
bly, Excited by DiScov-
cry Of a Traitor.
The American Minister'S Mill
tary Attaehe Involved in
the Scandal.
Bold Allegation That He As
sisted q FaithleSS Clerk
in Dirty Work.
Plans of French DefenSeS
Sold to the Italians and
Germans.

PARIS, June 25.-A clerk named
Greiner, employed in the office of the
keeper general of the national archives.
has confessed that in return for bribes
paid to him by Germany and Italy he
has supplied to the armies Of those
countries plans of the coast defenses of
France. 1t appears from Grainer's
statement, which is apparently
full and unreserved, that he
has furnished Italy full details
of the defenses on the Mediterranean,
including the plans, so far as completed,
for additional Notifications to protect
the harbor of ToulOp, concerning which
the Italian naval authorities have
evinced great interest. Germany paid
Greiner literally tor the plans of the
defenses of CherDourg, Havre and
Breast. The affair has caused great
CONSERVATION at headquarters.
1t appears that espionage has been of
late so difficult that the war and ad-
miralty offices at Berlin and Rome have
nearly abandoned that method as fruit
less of satisfactory result, and addressed
themselves directly to cOrrupting a sub
ordinate who had all the plans within
reach. Suspicion has been directed to-
ward Greiner for some. time, bnt it was
not until within few days that
Suspicion Became Certainty.
1t is understood that an interrupted
letter from Berlin gave the French au
thOrities the proof for which they have
been looking. Greiner was at once ar
rested and subjected to severe eXami-
nation. He was told that it rested with
the authorities whether he should be
prosecuted on charge of treason and
brought to the guillotine. or should be
prosecuted OH the milder charge OF re-
veallng state secrets, with term OF I'M
prlsOnment as penalty.
(ireiner broke down, and although it
is claimed no promise was made to him
to induce him to confess, he acknowl-
edged the extent to which he had be-
trayed the interests OF France to Ger
many and Italy. practically laying bare
to those two countries the secrets which
France has most jealOusly guarded. 1t
is said that Gen. Breault was called in
during the examination and was so
enraged at GGeiner'S confession that he
could with difficulty be restrained from
striking him with his sword.
Ii is stated that the plans for the i'm
provement of Touion defenses will
probably be changed, and that the alter
aticns will be made at other points so as
to render Greiner'S revelations Of as
little value Us possible to the triple alli
ance.
France Has No Kick Coming.
While the French government is in
dignant at the course of Germany and
Italy in invading the very bureaus of
the national administration in order to
receive information injurious to France,
it is not likely that any remonstrance
will be presented. as the French them
selves have recently been proven, in,
the case of an EngliShman named Hol-
den, to have paid sums of money for
plans of the defenees OF Malta. and to
have offered more money for plans of
Gibraltar. Besides, 1t is well known
that numerous spies in the employment
of France frequent the German gar
risons near the frontier.
Greiner was some time ago suspected
of espionage in favor of Germany and
Italy. 1t is said that documents en-
trusted to him were greatly delayed be-
fore they arrived at their destination.
So strong did the suspicious of the Off
GERS become that Admiral Gervais
ordered that Greiner be closely
watched. The detectives who were de-
tailed to shadow him aScertained that
he frequently visited the house of Capt.
Borup, American military attache.
where the officers declare the official
documents in the possession of Greiner
were photographed and then returned
to Greiner.
A few days ago. according to the re-
port of the detectives, a packet contain
ing confidential documents of the gov
ernment arrived at the office of the
minister of marine just as the Office was
seen to Slyly take the packet and con-
ceal it in his coat. He then went to his
home, followed by the detectives.
The American in Deep.
In the evening he proceeded to Bo-
rup'S house, where number of de-
tectiyes had been stationed with orders
to arrest him just as he was entering the
building. The officers of the general
staff did not express surprise at Capt.
Borup'S connection with the affair.
They declare that he has been under
suspicion for months past, but that the
authorities could obtain no positive
proof which would warrant them Glak-
ing charges against him.
BOrup has been summed by his
friends anu the officers of the army
since his alleged part i'll the affair has
become known.
In an interview today Capt. Borup
said: "All military attaches are liable
to receive visits from persons offering
to furnish them with secret govern
ment documents. Grenier is possibly
one of these men who have made
similar proposals to me. But have l
listened to these proposals? A point
which can't understand is how they
can suspect a citizen of the country on
friendly terms with France of lending
himself to such shameful transaction"
Capt. Borup concluded the interview by
positively denying that he had ever di-
rectly or indirectly communicated with
Germany or Italy.