The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-03
GERMAN OFFICER
HERE; ESCAPES
FROM TORONTO
Dives Through Window as
House is Surrounded by Party
of Canadian Officials
FIVE COMPANIONS,
RESERVISTS, CAUGHT
Lieut.. Won WOltersdOrff's Abil-
ity to Speak English Aids
Him in Flight

Lieut.. Hans Won Woltersdorff, OF
the German army, reservist, VINO
was living In Toronto, Canada, when
the war broke out, has arrived In De-
troit with real wartime story or
his escape from Canadian officers.
Lieut.. Won Woltersdorff. with five
boon companions, all reservist OH
GERS, were enjoying a quiet game OF
cards In the home OF one or their num-
Der, in Toronto, when one or the par
ty stepped TO the front door, saw sew
eral Canadian officers watching the
house, and Immediately gave the
alarm. The party broke up In con-
fusion. Lieut.. Won Woltersdorff diyed
through a window, striking on low
fence, and tearing bad cash In his
thigh, on a nail. But he succeeded In
making his escape, though all or his
companions were captured.
IL have received word that they are
in the military prison in Kingston,
now. "ssays Won Woltersdorff. Dozens
of Germans are being seized In To-
ronto. and all that is heard OF them
afterward Is, Kingston prison. Many
of them have families-some have
big families, but the latter receive no
word
Krausmann's cafe, a resort In To
ronto largely patronized by Germans,
has been the scene OF several such ar
rests. says Won Woltersdorff. II was
there that he met the five other Off
GERS, who soon became boon compan-
ions They knew that all German re-
servists were being rounded up by the
Canadian police and military author
tiles, and they were always on their
guard.
All of them speak good English, and
when addressed by stranger, In the
German tongue. they always replied
in English, and pretended not TO I'M
derstand.
They are sharp, over there, in
catching German reservists," says
Won Woolstersdorf. After escaping
from them in Toronto, | managed to
get an early morning train for De-
troit Near Chatham, an Englishman
sauntered up to me and asked, In good
German: 'How's the war, my friend"
looked at him blankly. He repeated
the question, in German, and again I
pretended not TO understand. Then
he said. in English: Pardon me, but
you are German. aren't your said.
Well, | guess not. was born and
raised in Rochester, n. Y. 1t was none
OF ais business that | was born In
Germany,
IL watched the man. He went over
to some Austrians also fleeing to De-
troit. He walked up to them, the
same way, and asked them in German,
what they thought Of the war. They
replied, poor boobs, in German, and
told him everything was going fine. At
the rext stop, the Austrians disap-
peared from the car, with several
plain clothes men. suppose they are
In Kingston, now"
Won Woltersdorff is fine type of
soldier. He joined the cadet corps in
Germany when he was 10 years old,
and practically grew up a soldier.
After gaining his lieutenancy in the
army, he entered commercial life, and
was representing big German firm,
in Bolivia, about 10 years ago, when
a revolution broke out.
Won Woltersdorff joined the revolu-
tionists. He was an officer In the
army" that he laughs heartily about.
IL rode mule, and that was what
saved me-" he remarked, rolling up
his right trouser leg, and exhibiting
Ave big scars In his leg. Those are
the FIVE bullets that I suffered. The
government forces were shooting at
the heads OF the natives. ! was up on
the mule, and got my share OF bullets
in the leg"
He was not captured. but escaped,
and lay in hiding until he could get
out Of the country.
There was a reward OF 500 pesos
on my head" he said with laugh.
THAT revolution cost me everything
I had in the world"
Later he jcurneyed to Canada, and
became a hotel clerk, working In
some OF the biggest hotels in the do
minion.
He has come here to take a posi-
ton of the same sort. He is staying
at No. 1928 Lafayette-blvd.