The San Francisco call., 1899-09-05

q note to Nine. Jansen, telling her what
he wanted. He then proceeded to Monte
Carlo for d day or two at the tables. 1t
was arranged, of course, that if there
was any trouble over the work word
would be sent him. Nine. Jansen is the
wife of d naval officer and had the
entree TO the arsenal at Toulon. She Sc
cured all the information desired and it
was handed to Herr Florschuetz on his
return to Toulon in less than one week.
Information regarding the construction
of the war vessel Gymnote, at that time
building at Cherbourg, was obtained in
the same manner.
easily anything that Germany wanted
could be obtained. A sergeant in the
naval arsenal al Toulon, Ihomas by
name, at the request or one OF the 1--WE
or six women slirmishing around there
at the time, purloined drawing which
gave clearly the inside of the fortress
with the location of the submarine mines
in the harbor. This information. know,
went to Esterha8y, but 1t took half
dozen women to get 1t to him This
drawing was copied at the home of one
of Prince Pless sweetheartS in Paris and
the original drawing returned two days
later to Toulon. Thomas was found out
in this matter. however, and is now in
prison. The espionage system was such
that Germany was advised of the meet
ing of all boards connected with any
arsenal or fOrtlflCatiOn
For instance, if a new gun were to be
tried a German agent would be lettering
near the testing place and remember
that on one occasion Wneil an eAperlLnent
Of this kind was concluded rough
sketch of the result was handed the Ger
man agent before the officers left the
grounds. This was sent posthaste to
Germany Often a report on the test of
new invention would be in the hands
Of the German Government before 1t
reached the Ministry of War in Paris.
This caused many laughs in the Office at
staff headquarters.
During all this time I never heard of
Captain Dreyfus and did not know there
was such person until heard OF his
arrest.
Mr.. Bentheim was asked who handled
the money for the maintenance Of this
information bureau. His reply was:
Captain Sigl handled all money for this
merchandise, as they termed 1t, to Herr
Florschuetz Emperor William, did not,
of course. have any direct dealings with
those who did the work, but knew where
the men were sent. The money, as l have
said was paid from the secret service
can recollect now that $4,000. or its equiv
alent in German money, passed into the
hands of F'lorSChuetZ and Franz, and
some money was paid them personally In
the War Office in Berlin. This money
went into the hands of the workers
through postottice in the American
quarter of Paris. Every six months re-
mittances are made anonymously to the
Baroness de Delden through the Credit
Lyonnaise in Paris. The bank is entirely
innocent of the purpose for which the
money is used and the record will cor
roborate this statement. Baroness de
Delden was the, sweetheart Of Prince
Henry Pless, but later transferred her af-
fecuons to EsterhaZy. She is the yelled
lady" Of the Rennes court-martial.
Mr.. Bentheim was, questioned as to
his reason for leaving Germany and
his reply was to the effect that quar-
rel with the Emperor over another mat
ter caused it. He was arrested and
place in the fortress at Potsdam. He
continued:
At that time did not have my pass
ports on my person, but sent word to Mr..
Chapman Coleman, then secretary or the
Embassy at Berlin, who came quickly to
my assistance, and It being proved that
and soon after left the country. Mr.. Cole
man VIII confirm what 1 have said.
Mr.. Bentheim said he arrived in New
York from Berlin late in April, 1898.
There was plenty of war talk then and
he enlisted on August of that year in
the Two Hundred and Second New
York Regiment. Continuing he said:
While at Camp Meade 1 was transferred
to the Quartermaster's Department and
later made brigade clerk. | was dis
charged at Washington Barracks January
the day following, l was, the only man
of the Two Hundred and Second New
York discharged at Washington. At this
time the regiment was in Cuba. Brigadier
General Oates, in whose headquarters l
was clerk, recommended my muster out
at my request and Adjutant General
Horton, who is now in the Commissary
Department of the War Office in Wash
ington, signed in Cuba the pass which
secured for me my honorable discharge.
The papers were finally signed by Colonel
F. l.. Guenther, who was at that time
at Fort Myer.
Mr.. Bentheim was told that the fact
that his story should appear at this
time with so much startling informa-
ton would cause considerable doubt as
to its authenticity, and to this he re-
piled:
I will go with! you before, a notary pub
lie and swear that everything l have told
Similar way to any United States officer
or member of the German Embassy. The
story is absolutely true, and you are at
liberty to communicate with any Of the
persons 1 have mentioned in an effort at
corroborating.