The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-06-26
BETRAYED FOR BRIBES.
SECRETS or THE COAST DEFENsEs
or France Given to Germany and Italy BY q
Yenal Frenchrnan Named Greiner.
Foreign Affairs.

PABrs, June 25.-A clerk named Greiner.
employed in the Office Of tho 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 authorities
of those countries plans IF the coast detenses
Of France. 1t appears from Greiner's state
ment. which is apparently full and unre-
served. that he has furnished Italy full details
Of the defenses on tho Mediterranean, includ-
ing the plans SO far as completed. for addi-
tonal forti6cations 70 protect the herbor Of
TOulon. concerning which the Italian
naval authorities have evinced great
interest Germany paid Greiner literally tor
the plans OF the defenses Of Cherbourg, Havre
and Brest. The revelation Of Greiner's
treachery has caused greet CONSERVATION at
French headquarters, as the most jealous
care has been observed 30 prevent tOreignes
from taking sketches either OK the interior or
the coast defenses OF France, and the mill
tary aud naval authorities. as well as tue
police. are under strict instructions TO DO
Ygilant IN enforcing the regulations IN this
respect.
suBJEcrED TO A sIGIp rxAMrSArrOT.
II appears that espionage has of late been 50
difficult that the war and admiralty Offices at
Berlin and Rome have nearly abandoned that
method as fruitlsss Of satisfactory results,
aud addressed themselves directly % corrupt
ing subordinate who had oil the plans with.
ia reach. Suspicion has been directed toward
Grener for some time. but it was not until
few days ago that suspicion became
certainty. It is understood that an inter-
cepted letter from Berlin gave the
French authorities the proof for which they
have been looking. GTeiner was at once ar
rested snd subjected to a severe examination.
lie was told that II rested WITH the authorities
whether he should be prosecuted on charge
of treason and brought 70 the guillotine. or
should be prosecuted on the rnilder charge OF
revealing State secrets. with term OF Inn
prlsOnment as penalty.
Grenier broke down. and although. 1t is
claimed. no promise was made 20 him 20
induce him 10 confess, he acknowledged the
extent 30 which be had betrayed the inter
ests Of France 10 Germany and Italy practi-
cally laying bare 70 those two countries the
secrets which France has most jealOusly
guarded. IL is said that General Brault Of
the War Department, was called In during
the examination and was 30 enraged at
Griener's confession that he could with diih-
Guilty be restrained from striking him with
his sword
TO CHANGE THE PLANS.
It is stated that tho plans for the improve
ment or Toulon defenses will probably be
changed. and that alterations will be made at
other points 80 az to render Greiner's revela-
tons OF as little value as possible to tho Triple
Alliance While the French Government Is
indignant at tho course of Germany and
Italy invading the very bureaus OF
the national administration. IN order
o. secure Information injurious to
France. it s not likely that any remOnstrance
Will be presented. as the French themselves
have recently proven. in tho case OF an Eng
lishman named Holden, to have paid sums Of
money for plans of the defepses OF Malta and
TO have offered more money tor plans Of
Gibraltar. Besides it Is well known that
numerous spies in the employ OF France
frequent the German garrisons near the
frontier.
Az AmERICAT pTPTJOATED.
The clerk Greiner. who has confessed SELL
ing plana OF French coast defenses TO Ger
many and Italy. declared that Captain Henry
ID Rorup. of the Ordnance Department of tho
United States army. who is the military at
tache of the American Legation here. bought
plans Of the defeuses aud communicated
them TO Germany aud Italy. Mr.. L. Jefferson
Coolidge, the American minister has written
"A formal letter 10 Captain Borup IN regard %
the charge made against him by Grelner.
Captain B0rup denies that be communicated
ANYTHING 90 Germany or Italy. lie will not
saw whether he sent the documents 20 Wash
ington. IL is probable that he will have to
leave Paris
Captain BUrup admits that Greiner gave
him certain documents. His response 70 Mr.
Coolidge's demand for an explanation Is an
emphatic protest against the charge that he
communicated anything to Germany or Italy
Mr. Coolidge has communicated Captain
Borup's protest to M. Ribot, Minister OF
Foreign Affairs.