The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-05-09
ALLEGED SPANISH SPY.
Arrested by ChiefNvi1lsie of the Treasury
Secret Service.

Washington, May S.-Chief Will1ie Of
the treasury secret service to-day ex-
pressed 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 pub
lished at this time, but he feels, now
that an incorrect version has leaked
out, that it is just as well that the cor
rect story should be told. The mans
name is not Rawlings, as originally an
nounced, but George Downing, appar-
emily about thirty-three years of age,
five feet seven inches in height and of
athletic build and Bohemian in appear
ance. Mr.. Wilkie tells an interesting
story Of the mans doings lately and Of
the steps which led up to his arrest.
Downing" he says, sis an English
man by birth, but is a naturalized
American and was formerly chief yeo-
man on the cruiser Brooklyn. His dis
charge from that ship dates about two
months ago. Our information shows
that on last Friday he had a conference
with Lieutenant Carranas, who was
naval attache of the Spanish minister
Polo, and who was then at Toronto.
He furnished CarranaS general inform
alton about the navy and particularly
about the Brooklyn. He spoke in
disparaging manner of the American
navy. After one and a half hours talk
he came to Washington at the discre-
tion of the lieutenant. He left Toronto
Friday afternoon for this city via Nj
agara Falls, the Lehigh Valley and
the Baltimore and Ohio roads. Before
leaving Toronto Carranas gave Down.
ing an address apparently that of a
residence in Montreal to which he was
to send all the information he obtained.
Downing arrived here yesterday and
went directly to No. GIG e street, where
he had stopped no longer than a week
ago. When he left he told the land
lady that he was going to Virginia.
Shortly after reaching his room he
went out again to the postoffice and
dropped letter into the box for the
address in Montreal which had been
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 postoffice
and it's contents examined.
''It contained statement as to Ger
tain matters in Washington, said the
writer would soon be able to forward
some important information about the
Holland submarine boat, gave a sum
mary of the steps for the relief Of Ad-
miral Dewey and promised data as
to the movements of American coll
liers or coaling ships. Downing also
said he intended to go to Norfolk
which place he hoped to reach Tues
day, and expected to obtain important
| information. The letter was signed
simply with the initials c. D. We were
well satisfied by this time that the man
was spy and we set about to secure
his apprehension. We communicated
with Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn Of
the war department to whom we gave
summary of the information in our
possession and then with Judge Advo-
cate General Leiber Of the army, who
advised that the man be arrested and
turned over to the military authorities.
| Downing returned to his room during
the evening and after dining and read
! ing the news bulletins. Accompanied
| by Captain Sage of the Eighth artill
cry a corporal and private, by my Of
| ficers, and a policeman we went to
| Downings house where we secured him
without trouble. He offered no resist
ance, but appeared frightened and
much surprised at his arrest He was
handcuffed to the private who, accom-
panied by Captain Sage and the COR
poral took him to the arsenal where he
is under guard. We have turned him
over to the military authorities for
their disposition"