The Detroit times., 1914-12-03
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, a yeservist, who
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 offi-
GERS, were enjoying quiet game OF
cards in the home of one of their num-
Der, In Toronto, when one OF 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 dived
fence, and tearing bad cash in his
thigh, on a nail. But he succeeded in
making his escape, though all OF his
companions were captured.
II have received word that they are
in the military prison in Kingston,
now" says Won Woltersdorff. Dozens
OF Germans are being seized in To-
ronto, and all that is heard ofethem
afterward is. Kingston prison Many
of them have families-sQme have
big families, but the latter receive no
word"
Krausmann's cafe. 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 polise 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 un-
derstand.
They are sharp, over there, In
catching German reservists," says
Won Woolstersdorff 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
pretended not TO understand. Then
he said, I'm English Pardon me, but
you are German, aren't your | said,
I"Well. | guess not was born and
raised in Rochester, ~. Y. IL was none
OF mis- business that was born In
Germany.
II watched the man. He went over
TO some Austrians, also fleeing 10 De-
troit. He walked up TO them, the
same way and asked them in German,
what they thought of the war They
replied. poor boo6s. 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 soldier.
After gaining his .lieutenancy in the
army he entered commercial life. and
was representing a big German Arm,
I'm Bolivia. about 10 years ago. when
a revolution broke out.
Won Woltersdorff joined the revolu-
tionists. He was an officer I'm the
army" that he laughs heartily about.
II rode mule, and that was what
saved me-" he remarked, rolling up
his right trouser leg. and exhibiting
flve big scars In his leg. Those are
the five bullets that I suffered. The
government forces were shooting al
the heads og 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 a laugh,
THAT revolution cost me everything
I had In the world
| later. he jcurneyed 10 Canada. and
became hotel clerk. working IN
some OF the biggest hotels IN the do
/ minion.
/ He has come here 10 take posi-
tion OF the same sort He Is staying
az No l2S Lafayette-blyd