The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-07
BINTHEIM is POSITIVE
II. RETTERATEs HIS STORY CON-
CORNING MIR. FLORsCHEUT.
ssys the Latter Was the Medium by
Which French War Secrets Were
Sent to German Officers.

ATLANTA, Ga, Sept. 6.-Charles z. Ben
teim to-day reiterated TO the representa-
I've of the Associated Press the absolute
ruth OF his statement involving Vice Con-
ul Florscheutz in the German secret service
work between Berlin and Paris. 'Of course
Florscheutz will deny this" said Bentheim.
but IL can be easily fastened on him. The
point IN question Is really this: Inquire in
the right direction. There Is no going to
Florscheutz about this thing. He will nat
urally deny II and the rage of the Germans
will turn If Florscheutz denies his
connection with this matter let this ques-
tion be put to him: For what purpose did
Florscheutz hand over to me (Bentheim)
money order calling for 1850 marks. signed
by the Emperor
What the honorable secretary of state,
Mr.. Hay. says about the vice consul at Son.
neberg is absolutely correct. Fiorscheutz
was vice consul beginning in 1888. The
German government wanted him made con-
sui, but this position he was not allowed to
I'LL because he was German. I do not
know positively that he was cashier Of the
bank at Sonneberg. He was a director;
Franz was a director and his bank often
figured In the handling OF the secret service
funds, as have told you. i will be willing
to respectfully submit to the hon.
orable secretary Of state the direc-
ton in which to look for con-
vincing evidence of all that I charge.
say again: Florscheutz was using his Of
fetal position as vice consul and deputy
consul to aid the German secret service in
obtaining the information from France. He
placed his services at the disposal of the
German secret service and between the
years 1880 and 1894 he was actively engaged
as confidential agent of the secret service.
Let the honorable secretary OF state re-
quest the American ambassador at London
TO get permission from the commissioner
general of postoffices in London and go to
the village of Holmrook and examine the
postoffice records there which are not de-
strcyed. Evidence there in black and white
will show the truth OF every assertion I
have made"
What course do you suggest for the Sc
curing OF information regarding the Ger
man branch of this service?"
1T would be manifestly impolitic to make
that public. AS 1 say. I am will
ing to respectfully submit any sug-
gestions to an accredited representa-
tive Of the United States govern
ment regarding a way in which this matter
may be ferreted out. Once our hand is
shown the German government will effect
y usriy cestroy every pi{ OF eVlaenee wnle 11
be difficult TO prove from physical evidence
furnished by the papers themselves that the
letterheads and envelopes were used by
Florscheutz because these papers are in the
secret archives in the War Office in Berlin,
yet evidence can be secured: II 1t can be
proven between 1890 and 1894 that Flor
scheutz was engaged in the purchase of
French War Office merchandise the pre-
sumption that he prostituted his office will
be strong. This can be proven. Florscheutz
did handle the German secret service money
IN this matter. / can give dates and details
regarding the handling of this money which
cannot be disputed"
Bentheim Is evidently man of remarka-
BILE memory. The facility with which he
or long association. He Is a man of at
tainments and polished manners. He says
have in the way of knowledse in this maj.
TER ana modestly protests against the prom
fnence which has been given him. He
Claims to be a Jew and Is believed by the
few people who have met him to be one.
He speaks with strong German accent,
yet tnere is a., trace OF Hebrew in the lines
and honest man and at no time does he
suggest evasiveness-
Regarding the charge made by somebody
that he enlisted in the United States army
under an assumed name. Bentheim says:
Tha. is nonsense The steamer which
STA She sailed from Bremen. 1 don't re-
member the narue OF the line, bu- a perusal
OF the books of the company in New York
will show my. name there If the documents
are properly kept"
Bentheim was pressed further for his
recollection of the disappearance of the doc
uments from the French War Office. II can
recall many OF them" he said. 'and thins
II were 20 put myself to IL / could write
you description Of the war vessel as
handled by me. You know at the top of
the sheet describing a certain boat would
be the word Rapport This would be un-
derscored and on line by Itself Under
this was generally written: Sur les expert
ences. faites avec lie 'Goubet." Bateau sous
Marine. Here would follow the mode of
construction and method of maneuvering
the boat Over at the left hand side of the
paper a border Of. say two inches. was
clear. This was used for comment on the
matter in the report For instance. such
notes as Gould not get model Minimum
1000 etc. would be seen. These comments
were found I'm the description of the sub
marine boat Goubet. In a case where the
information was not complete this paper
would be taken by Sigl. who would write
IN this border: 1000. 5000 1000 This meant
marks and was to be used in procuring
further detail This showed what the Ger
man government was willing TO pay for
II. IL the man in whose possession the in
formation was held wanted 1000 france the
the groups Loo and 5000 would be marked
on. This was the way the matter OF nav
In branch was made known, but there
was always an EFFORT made to keep from
writing anything more on the documents"