New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-17
FRENCH TREASON CASE.
French Papers Story Of Stolen
Plans of Forts.

Paris. May l6.-The Mating London CORE
spondeEt having obtained nearly hundred anthem
tic plans OF the Notifications Touon. besides
numerous other compromising documents. that
paper this morning began the publication OF the
history Of treason affair which likely 10
exceed in Importance the offences with which Cap
tain Dreyfus charged.
On April p the correspondent received a lette-
written in a queer semi French. semi-Italian jar
gon and signed ''Fragola Petro." telling him that
the writer who was employed at hotel had been
acting as a guide 20 two persons, who had come 10
London TO sell large parcel Of documents OF tie
highest Importance concerning the Frenci. naval
defences. The letter stated thal the had gono
Brussels, leaving the writer penness. lie there
wanted negotiate for the transfer Of certain
documents. but unwilling treat direct with
the French government, preferrns deal with the
'Matin'' some other newspaper
The correspondent thought the letter was prob-
ably a begging trick but replied addressing his
answer the postof1ce to be called for. and maxi
Ing appointment which Fragola duly kept. The
mans desperate state or hunger showed his sin
cerity. Fra COLA told the following story.
He was formerly. he said. employed at tho War
Ministry in Rome. but became compromised in a
Of espionage and sentenced TO six months
Imprisonment. Subsequently he came to London.
living from hand TO mouth. Recently he had acted
guide and secretary two men Italian origin,
with OF whom--a naturazed French citizen
ne had formerly been acquainted at the War Min.
worked for foreign governments, and had several
times sold important secrets TO Germany high
prices The Italians Cesare Collie AMI
that OF The naturalized Frenchman Jeremie Mesqui.
The latter had long been contractor on public
works al Toulon They had gone Brussels I'VE
days ago. leaving him entirely without means Of
living. He found. after their departure. that Colo
had left documents behind him. and these he wanted
sell.
Fragola thereUpon produced eignty-five plans OF
the Toulon forts. some OF them the French originals
ard others accurate copies. made at the italian War
Ministry. He also had in his possession a list %
plans OF Cherbourg. Brest and TouOp, with type
written Instructions alleged by Fragola 10 have
enianated from the German staff. concerning the
marking Of batteries and artillery. There also
a letter appointing rendezvous tho Thuringer
5of Berlin. for November Is. signed X To this
attached a card Inscribed Felix Friedrich
ScholtZ.
The Mathis correspondent gave Fragola a few
shillings. and persuaded him TO leave the documents
In MS hands in order that examination of them
might he made The next morning lie took them
10 the French Embassy, where the naval attache
declared them 10 he absolutely genuine.
The 'Matin'' VIII continue its revelations TO NOR
row.
The Ministry OF Marine has Issued statement to
the effect that the documents offered to the
Mathis. London correspondent concern the Minis
Try OF War, which ia responsible for the land forti-
hcations. The latter refuses all information. The
head Of the detective department says that the
documents unquestionably genuine. and were
stolen from government Offices. but he minimlzes
their Importance.