Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-12
ARRESTED AS A SPY.
Japanese Taken in Custody While
Making DRAWINGS of Fort


SAN DIEGO, Cal, July 12-Caught in
the act of making drawings of the plans
at Fort Rosecrans. a Japanese was ar
rested yesterday.
Maj. Getchell, who is IN command at the
fort, was authority for the statement that
the arrest was made and that the man was
making drawings of the Notifications. He
said that the Japanese was not a servant,
but q stranger. He would not divulge the
prisoners name nor would he say what had
been done with him. Lut he said that there
was q heavy punishment for the offense
Great secrecy is maintained at the fort
about the incident, and none of the other
officers would make any comment upon it,
The intruder was caught IN the very act
of sketching the emplacements Of four ten
inch guns at Battery Wilkerson and copies
OF plans he had made of the torpedo case
ment and the electric machinery connec-
tons and keys controlling the mine field of
San Diego harbor were found in his pos
session. The plans included everything
which might be of use to a foreign power
in case an attack was made al this point of
the Pacific coast. According to a military
source, he even had records of the sub
caliber target practice made during the
present encampment Of the 5th Regiment,
National Guard. and the regulars.
1t is said that this Japanese has been
working in secret with the Japanese serv-
ants al the fort who live in the officers
homes, and that he had in his possession
when arrested more than 2t0 photographs
giving all possible positions of the guns be
side views and panorama of the govern
ment reservation, showing in detail the re-
lation of the fortifications TO Point Iona
the harbor entrance and the ways of attack
by landing parties from Yalse bay and the
west.
Maj. GatchcIl said:
Because OF the acute feeling existing on
a ir,a
make public statement"
From an official source ii was learned last
night that in some manner the japanese
got into the Notifications without being OBJ
served. When detected by soldier he was
busy making drawings. The alarm was
given Immediately and the man was cap
tured after hot chase.
Officials of the judge advocate generals
office say they do not recall any statute
covering the act of individual detected
making drawings of fort or other gov
eminent building on a military reservation
They say: however, that such reservations
being under the control of the Secretary of
War, they subject to such rules and
regulations for their government as thai
official may promulgate.
Any one who may be on a military reser-
Walton without the right to be there Is per
ST a ucspaSser, and If he is found doing
something tdat the regulations forbid such
person is liable TO ejcctment to any pun
lShment which may be provided for the Of
lthSc 'hdt may have been committed The
punishment, however in time of peace 10
nov e'Ntto' unless of course, the act COM
United Is such To amount tn cr;nna
IhtSe observations of the officials were suu
gestcd a result of the renortnd .rras. -
a japanese at Fort Rosecrans cal whiIa
alleged 10 be making drawings of the de-
lenses there.
The arrest made by Major Ca+cbau ..
the Coast Artillery, bur his action has nor
yet been reported to the War Department.