New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-09
CATCHING A SPANISH SPY
HOW THE SECRET SERVICE DETECTED
GEORGE DOWNING'S DOINGS.
DISCHARGED MEMBER OF THE BROOKLTN's
CREw-HE WAS SENDING INFORMATION
TO LIEUTENANT CARAVANS



Washington. May S-Chief Wilkie Of the
Treasury Secret Service. to-day expressed his
unqualified belief in the guilt of the man ar
rested at his direction last night as a Spanish
spy. All the circumstances i'm the case many
Of which NJ Wilkie sets forth. he SAYS. lead
NJ to this irresistible conclusion. He preferred
that the story OF the mans arrest should not be
public AZ this time. but he feels. now that an
incorrect version has leaked out that 1t is just
"a well for the correct story 10 be told. The
mans name is not Rawlings as originally an
nounced. but George Downing. apparently about
thirty-thrce wears old. five feet seven inches in
height and of athletic build. and bohemian in
appearance. Mr. Wnkie tells an interesting
story Of the mans dongs lately. and ~ the
steps which led up TO his arrest.
Downing" he says. is an Encshman by
birth. but is A naturalized American. and was
formerly chief woman on the cruiser BROOKLYN.
His discharge from that ship dates from about
two months ago. our information shows that
on last Friday he had conference with Lieu
tenant Carranzas. who was naval attachf II
tho Spanish Minister Polo. and who then
AZ Toronto. lie furnished Carranzas general
information about tho Navy and particularly
alou; the Brooklyn He spoke In a disparagng
manner of the American Navy.
after a talk - an hour and n half he came
n Washington at the direction or the lieu
tenant He loft Toronto Friday afternoon for
this city. coming by tho way ~ Niagara Falls
he Ich!gh VALLEY and the Baltimore and Ohio
railroads Before leaving Toronto Carranzas
cav" Downing an address. apparently that Of a
residence in Montreal. to which he was N send
al the inform alton he obtained Downing ar
rived her" yesterday afternoon. and went d.
ca & = Ao; -
longer than week AGO When he left he told
he laudiady he was going to Virginia.
Soon sf'er reaching his rooms ne went out
again 20 10 post1fYice and dropped letter into
th~ box FOR The address IN Montreal which had
boon given - him should say right here that
our officers recognized Downing "a soon ne he
arrived At the railroad station and kept a strict
watch IN his movements al during the after
noon and evening up 70 the time ~ his arrest
Tho letter which he mailed was promptly inter-
copied at the posiofilce and It's contents were
examined.
1T contained a statement as n certain mat
tors In Washington. ra!d the writer would soon
De- able to forward some important information
about m" Holland submarine boat. gave sum
mary Of the steps for tho relief or Admiral
Dew'y. and PROMISED data as 10 tho movement
of American golfers or coai.nS ships Downing
also said he Intended u e. 10 Norfolk (Which
place he hoped 10 reach On Tuesday,. and ex
pectei - obtain important Information. The
letter was signed simply with the initials @ -
"" were we'll satisfied by his time that the
man was SOY and So ahoui 20 secure mis-
apprehension. W. communicated with Assist
ant Secretary Neklcj0hn. ~ III" War Depart
meni. Co. whom %" gave a summary - the In
formation IN orr possession. and then. With
Judge Advocate General Leiher. - tho Army.
Who advised that the man be- arrested and
turned over 20 the military authorities Down
ing returned ~ his room during rho evening
after dining ard reading the news bulletins.
Accompanied by Captain Sage. q the Sth Artil-
lery q corporal and private by my own OFF,
GERS and by n policeman. We went = DOWninc's
house. whore We secured him without trouble
H. offered no resistance. bat appeared fright
en"d and much surprised AZ what was taking
place H was handcufed 20 the private. who.
accom- panied by Captain Sage ard the corporal.
'ooh him - tho arsenal where he Ia under
guard We have turned him over 70 the mill
tary authorities FOR their disposition
Il think there Is no doubt Of the mans guilt
sufficient In judgment. 70 Justify the OK
trene penalty OF the Law