New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-10
ENGLAND HOLDS
NY. MAN AS SPY
Naturalized Citizen in the
Tower of London on
Capital Charge.

London, April O. Anton Kuepferle, a
naturalized American, of 1865 De halb
Avenue, Brooklyn, is now a prisoner
in the Tower Of London, charged with
espionage. His predicament is crit
ical
His arrest. which occurred on Febru-
arv 10. has resulted. it is stated, IN
unearthing an extensive espionage sys-
tom. Two others, named Muller and
Hahn. are also under arrest on similar
charges. but whether in connection
with Kucpterle's case or not IS not
made Clear. All are to be tried under
tho defence m the realm act, and II
convicted there is only one sentence -
death.
Hahn is believed TO be German.
Muller claims that his parents are
naturalzed English. The charge
against all is communicating mli!'aly
information to the enemy. ms II aP-
pears. was done by the use or lnVlslDIe
/ Ink in apparently innocent letters sent
TO the Continent.
Kuepferle arrived in Liverpool from
Non York about February u. lie pro
ceedad first TO Dublin and then came
20 London. He fell under suspicion on
account of certain correspondence ne
! was carving on, and the police hrst
/ searched for him in Liverpool w men
/ il was found he had gone TO DuDln the
/ search was then extended to DuOlih'
but again Kuepferle was ahead OF the
police, having proceeded to LONDON
where he made all arrangements TO 80
/ to Holland on February IL. lie was
arrested on the evening OF that day'
the date being that on which the Chan-
mel service to Holland was interrupted
owing to the commencement OF the SUD
marine blockade, otherwise there 10
some chance that Kuepferle might have
got through without interference, al
though the police were hot on his track.
The police. on investigating, found
that Kuepferle was an American, hav-
ing been naturalzed in New OK IN
1912. Kuepferle has had three hearings
secret from the public, but attended by
his counsel, whom the court designated,
and a representative Of the American
Consulate IL is stated that the Brit
/ ish authorities have been granting the
prisoner exceptional treatment. lie de-
ClareQt according 10 one itpOAt' Nh"L liV
could clear himself of all charges II he
could obtain certain witness from
New York. His trial was accordingly
postponed until his counsel could COM
muuicate with New York.
Details Of the charges are carefully
guarded, but it is rumored that the
information which Kuepferle is ac-
Cused Of sending TO the enemy con
cerned naval matters. On the surface
il would appear that Kuepferle. il
guilty az all, was not the principal
leader of the plot. The shortness OF
his stay in this country. which. so fan
as is known. he doesn't know well
would indicate to any observer that he
had ample instructions where 20 go to
collect the information which other,
had gathered 10 take on 20 the Cont
nent with him. In other words. he was
n sort Of messenger. IL is stated here
that this case is the most fsrreachinl
end most important espionage case yet
unearthed.
Inquiry in the vicinity in Brooklyn
indicated BY the address on Kuepferle's
passport failed 20 bring out any infor
nation concerning him. The number
/ oven is q vacant lot.