Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-11
UNDER SUSPICION.
Sensational Report Of the Doings
Of a Spaniard.
TAXING NOTES OF OUR DErENsEs,

New York Harbor Being Ono Of the Points
Where He Has Been Making Observe
tions-Schems Betrayed BY the Boast
Of . Fellow Cosntrynan In . washington
Club-His Rooms Mystsriously Raided-
Suspect Denies the Charge.
NEW YORK. March 1.-THE World this
morning says: Two attaches Of the Span
ish legation in Washington were boasting
recently as the Metropolitan club in that
city Of the military and naval resources of
their country, and one made the remark
that Spanish feet could take New York
in ten days. Alarmed at this indiscreet
up and they shortly left tho club house.
Enough had been said, however. to excite
suspicion, and q quiet investigation re-
vealed the cause of the Spaniard's conf
dence. It was discovered that Captain
Carlos de In Casa, of the Spanish army,
has been in New York for three months
He has avoided the hotels and clubs and
has taken a fat in One Hundred and
Fourteenth street.
Been Taking Notes 1t New York.
From this retreat, it is said, he has made
many visits to points of interest around
New York, and it is learned collected an
immense amount of valuable information
concerning the Notifications at Willet's
Point, Sandy Hook and other places with
in forty miles Of the city. 1t is believed
that he enriched his collection with numer.
Gus drawings and photographs, accurately
locating the 81 tes Of the mines which will
aid in defending the harbor. OF course a
great amount Of Information regarding
New York harbor can be obtained by any
one, especially in relation to its channels
and approaches. but the military informa-
tion ID jealously guarded.
Captains Room Broken Into.
Recently Captain de Ia Casa's room was
broken into and some Of his valuable pa.
pers are said to be missing. The captain
an ordinary, everyday burglar or United
States secret agent. The Spaniards think
the administration may have nipped Cap
tain de Ia Casa in the bud. Captain de In
Casa was seen at his home: "The thief
did not take any papers, and 1 have re-
ceived no report from the police 1t is
true that I am the military attache. to tho
Spanish legation, but that does not cause
me to suspect that the thief was other
than an ordinary burglar. It is q singu-
lar fact that he deliberately overlooked
valuable property within his reach, but il
he was after papers he did not get any.
Explains to . Newspaper Man.
"My work here is simply like that Of
other military attaches, to go about
from place to place inspecting the differ
ont military posts with view of discover
ing any improvements which may be ser.
viceable to u.s. Then report to the min.
lister of war in Spain. I have visited Balti.
more, st. Paul and other places. I have q
letter Of introduction from the secretary
Of war"
"Do you mean that you take plans and
notesf" was asked.
YES" said the captain.
docs the secretary's letter cover that
groundr" said the reporter.
'It gives me the privilege of making OBJ
servations. 1 am not an engineer but an
officer of artillery"
Concludes to Explain Some More.
About an hour after the reporter left
Captain de la Casa's house friend of his
telephoned this statement to the World:
Captain de la Casa wishes it to be under
stood beyond doubt that his visits to the
different Notifications were connected
solely with matters Of ordnance, and that
he has never taken plan of any fortifica.
tions or inspected any harbor. The only
plans he ever had were those given him.
by the secretary Of war-details of ord
nance and the like. His object was to
suggest improvements in the system at
home"