Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-09
A SPANISH SPY
Captured by Secret Service officials at
Washington.
He Had Been in Canada Comforting
With a Spanish Naval Attache,
and Then Went to Washington,
Intending to Go to Norfol k--An
Intercepted Letter Which Gave
the Fellow Away.

Washington May S.-Chief Wilkie,
of the treasury secret service, to-day
expressed his unqualified belief in the
guilt Of the man arrested at his direc
ton last night as a Spanish spy. All
the circumstances in the case, many of
which Mr.. Wilkie sets forth, he says,
lead up to this irresistible conclusion.
He preferred that the story of the
mans arrest should not have been
made public at this time, but he feels
now that an incorrect version had Leak
ed out, it is just as we'll that the cor
rect story should be told The mans
name is not Rawlings as originally an
ncunced, but George Downing, appar-
emily about tlirry-three years of age.
5 feet 7inches in height, of athletic
build and Bohemian in appearance MI.
Wilkie tells an interesting story of the
mans doings lately, and of the steps
which led up to his arrest.
Downing" he says, is an English
man by birth, but is
A NATURALIZED AMERICAN.
and was formerly chief yoeman on this
cruiser Brooklyn. His discharge from
that ship dates about two months ago.
Our information shows that on last
Friday he had conference with Lieu
tenant Carranzas, who was a naval at
tache of the Spanish minister, Polo, and
who was then at Toronto. He furnish
ed Carranzas general information about
the navy, and particularly about the
Brooklyn. He spoke in a disparaging
manner of the American navy. After
he had a half-hour's talk he came to
Washington at the direction of the lieu
tenant. He left Toronto Friday after
noon for this city, coming via Niagara
Falls, the Lehigh Valley and the Balti-
more & Ohio railroads. Before leaving
Toronto Carranzas gave Downing an
address, apparently that of residence
in Montreal. to which he was to send
all the information he obtained Down.
ing arrived here yesterday afternoon
and went directly to No. 916 f. street,
where he had stopped no longer than
week ago. When he left he told the
landlady he was
GOING TO VIRGINIA.
Shortly after reaching his room hs
went out again to the postofIice and
dropped letter into the box for the adj
dress in Montreal which had been
given to him. | should say right here
that our officers recognized Downing
as soon as he arrived at the railroad
depot and kept strict watch on his
movements all during the afternoon
and evening up TO the time OF his ar
rest. The letter which he mailed was
promptly intercepted at the rostoflce,
and its contents examined IL contain
ed a statement az to certain matters in
Washington. said the writer would
~ Il
ant information about the Holland sub
marine boat, gave a summary of the
steps for the relief OF Admiral Dewey.
and promised data as to the movement
OF American Golfers or coaling ships
Downing also said be intended to go to
Norfolk (which place he hoped to
reach Tuesday, and expected to obtain
important information.
The letter was signed simply with
the initials G. d. We were well salts
fed by this time
THE MAN WAS A spy,
and We sat about to secure his appre-
hension. We communicated with AS
sistant Secretary Meikeliohn. Of the
War Department, to whom we gave
summary Of the information In our
possession, and then with Advocate
General Lieber, Of the army, who adj
vised that the man be arrested and
turned over to the military authorities.
Downing returned to his room during
the evening after dinner and was read
ing the news bulletins.
Accompanied by Captain Sage, OF
the Eighth artillery, corporal aud a
private, by my own officers and q, po-
Eceman we went to Downing's house
where we secured him without trouble.
He offered no resistance, but appeared
frightened and much surprised at what
was taking place. He was handcuffed
to the private, who, accompanied hy
Captain Sage and the corporal, took
him TO the arsenal. where he is under
guard We h2ve turned him over to
the military authorities forgtheir dispo-
sition. As said before. I think there
Is no doubt OF the mans guilt sufficient
in my judgment to justify tie extrem&
penalty Of the law"