New-York tribune., 1901-11-28
NJ, CAMBON CAUSES ARREST
STENOGRAPHER WANTED TO SELL
CANAL SECRETS, FRENCH AM
BASSADOR SAYS.

Because Jules Cambon. the French Ambas-
sadOr to the United States. had his suspicious
aroused and spoke to Secretary of State John
Hay, Carl H. Hoffman, twenty-five years old.
Civil Service stenograp pher employed by the
Isthmian Canal Commission. was arraigned be-
fore United States Commissioner Shields. in the
Federal Building here yesterday. charged with
stealing government papers and reports. par
ticularly those pertaining to the Isthmian Canal.
and attempting to sell them.
Knowing that the final report of the Canal
Commission was particularly interesting to the
French Minister in the light of negotiations re-
specting the Panama Canal. Hoffman it is al
legged offered duplicate copy or this final re-
port to NJ. Cambon.
The State Depa rtment had been much exer-
cised of late over the publication of various re-
ports in the newspapers of what the Canal Com
mission doing. No suspicion at the tune
rested Hoffman. When the report was Of
fered to the French Ambassador. he thought IL
rather strange that a State paper should be
peddled about and reported his suspicious to
Secretary Hay Secretary Hay took the case to
the United States District Attorneys office at
Washington, and Assistant United States Dis
trict Attorney Ashley NJ. Gould. of Washington,
took charge of it.
An investigation was at begun by the
geant Horne being detailed the case.
Horne said that Hoffman had so covered up
his tracks that nothing direct could at hrst De
found against him. though Horne said yesterday
he was suspected from the start on account Oh
his opportunities. The newspaper representa-
tives, Horne sad who were suspected OF getting
reports from Hoffman would reveal nothihs' -
warrant was obtained for Hoffmans arrest he
was in Washington last Monday, Dul theii
disappeared Word sent to all the large
cities in the United States -
Horne suspected that Hoffman would come 10
this city because his father and mother live III
Harlem The Detective Bureau here was IN
structed keep sharp lookout 1or folnial' nan
Detective Sergeant William Brown OF the @ I'll
trail Office was detailed on the case Brow,
saw Hoffman in the Tenderloin on TUESDAY, anu
he followed him. He arrested him at Ihlrty-
third-st and Broadway and took him to Fohce
HEADQUARTERS. The Central Office mere lnIorlileu
tho washington authorities, and Detective Ser
geant Horne arriving here yesterday. loentineo
the prisoner Hoffman. Soon after MS arrest
Hoffman sent word to his parents before
Tinted States Commissioner Shields knew Oh tIe
case Hoffman's father, ABOUT sixty years old,
and his mother. about fifty, entered the com
rnissioners office and asked about tnelr son
Later Hoffman was brought INTO tne ne CoillLli CHs
sioner's office He had no counsel The speclhc
charge Is that on November - he stole the hnaI
report of the Canal Commission to PreslqenI
Roosevelt When the complaint was fead' f1oA-
man did not answer, but when the commissioners
asked him if he wished TO waive examination, ne
nodded He consented to go back to Washlng-
ton United States Marshal Henkel Will take
him to Washington tomorrow
Hoffman's wife is In Washington de mas
heen in the employ of the Canal Commission
for about eight months. It is alleged that he
struck off more duplicates of the report than
were needed. and would sell them to such news
naDers as would buy them. He. it is charged
in the complaint, had two extra copies Oh the
final report of the commission.