Norwich bulletin., 1911-08-08
Accuses Lover
 Of Being Spy
GIRLS CHARGE
 AGAINST A SOLDIER.
"SECRET AUSTRIAN AGENT"
Makes Affidavit to a Recruiting Officer Says She Met Him on shipbosrd and That They Are Engaged.

Washington, Aug. 7.-Before taking any acton. the war department will await full report from Capt James watson, United States army recruitfn1 officer at Indianapolis. in regard 10 charges that Private George Petr is 4 secret agent of Austria. Captain Wat son telegraphed the department today that such an allegation had been raads against the soldier by the girl who says he is engaged to her.
 Papers Will Be Forwarded,
 The recruiting officer will forward all the papers in the case to the dspar-- ment for investigation.
 First Case Under New Law.
 This is the first case to be brought up under the law passed at the last session of congress to prevent the dis closure of national defense secrets. Anyone who enGeavors to procure rnilf- tary data can be fined S1 900 or i'm prlsoned for one year or both. If an attempt is made to communicate any secrets of defense to q foreign gov ernment the maximum punishment is Imprisonment for ten years.
 Miss Dyer's Affidavit.
 One of the papers in possession of Capta1n Watson is ar affidavit of Miss Clara 4. Dyer who had previously inquired about obtaining PetTs re- lease from the army She said Pair
 
 ork city, in the 135th company, Coast Artillery corps, and that he was an Austrian spy sent to the United States to obtain the secret of manufacturfnz 1ne powerful explosive used by ths United States government.
 Turns Over Love Letters.
 Miss Dyer claimed she met Pstr on an ocean liner en route from Europs last September and later during a visit of. Petr to her Kentucky home had be- come engaged to him. The girl turned over a number of letters from Petr in which he told of his plans. Petr-s real name, she said, was Count Windisch- Graetz, whose home is at Prague. Po- hema.
 Girl Again in Conference With Watson
 Indianapolis, Ind. Aug. 7=Mfss Clara Anita Dyer. formerly of Phflp0-. Ky. who yesterday made affidavit 70 her story that Private George Pefr If at Fort Jotten, \. Y.. is a spy in the employ Of the Austrian governmrut was closeted again late today with Capt. James D. Watson, in charge ,.f station, and members of the Indiansp- oils detective force.
 Reaffirn1ed Her Story.
 After the session the authorities said there was nothing to give ont other than that Miss Dyer reafffrmed her story. Earlier in the day Miss Dyer was reported to have left IndfanapoIfs for Muncie. Ind.
 Leaves City to Escape Notoriety.
 Captain Watson said tonight that s1s was going to leave the city to escape notoriety, but that she promised to keep him informed of her movements He also said that the young woman promised to send him some correspor- dence which she said she had had with Petr's family in Austria and 2 num- Der Of photographs.
 Served in Philippines.
 The statement from the cornmanda1t at Fort Totten that Petr formerly served in the cavalry in the Philip pines corresponds to a degree with the statement today by Corporal William H. Lahr of the local recruiting ofrs in Troop M, Sixth cavalry. In inc Philippines and in Montana.
 Watson Awaits Instructions.
 Before taking any further action in the case Captain Watson is awaiting word from the war department on the woman's affidavit. which he forwarded to Washington today.
 Nothing Known at Fort Totten.
 Fort Totten, N. r., Aug. 7-Tns commandant at Fort Totten said tO- day that he had received no inforrna- ton either from the war department or from Capt. James Watson. in charge of the recruiting office at Indianapolis. regarding Private George Petr of fhs 18th coast artillery. whom Miss Clara Anita Dyer of Indianapo is said 10 have charged with being a spy in the employ of the Austrian government.
 Petr has been stationed here year and half. He is said to be one of the best soldiers at Fort Totten. Re- fore coming here he served three ears in the cavalry. the greater part of ths time in the Philippines. The com mandant said he believed some mistake had been made. In the absence 0f official information he added. no &C., ton in Petr's case had been taken.