The Washington herald., 1915-03-19
u. S, BEGINS QUIZ
in consul CASE
Inquiry Into Muller Arrest
Ordered Following Ger
many's Protest.
TREATY TERMS INVOLVED
Embassy Asserts Consular Pact was
~ Al
TREATY TERMS INVOLVED
Embassy Asserts Consular Pact was
Violated by Seattle
Authorities.

At IN" request OF the State Department
| the department of Justice has UNDER
taken an investigation into the case of
tue German consul. William Muller. for
whose arrest n warrant has been issued
bv Stat" authorities at Seattle. Wash.
on charges of conspiracy The State De
partmcut requested the Attorney General
TO order the Investigation following the
receipt of u protest from the German
Embassy yesterday that the treaty rights
OF the German government had been vio-
la ted
II was clear. however. that the De
Irartmcnt of Justices Investigation was
designed solely to he informative. and
that no legal steps are expected as re-
suit of il. The inquiry is TO be made by
a special agent of the department now
at seattle who has been instructed to
report fully on the Issues involved. both
from the standpoint of state officials and
of Dr. Muller
Protest against the action of suthori-
ties of the State OF Washington in issu-
ing warrants for the arrest of the German
consul at Seattle and his assistant on a
charge of conspiracy was lodged at the
State Department yesterday by the Ger
man Embassy.
The embassy's communication contends
that this action aGainst the German CON
suar officers WAS in violation Of the
consular treaty between the United
States and Germany. in that it invaded
the irlmuntieS granted them bv the
treaty The embassy also requested
that the State Department investigate
the case. and this will be done at once.
The indications are, from information
thus far received here regarding the
case. that the Washington authorities
did not IreSpasS upon any immunItieS
cnjoved by the German consular officers.
Whether the State authorities will be
able to prove their charge that the
German officials were guilty of conspir-
acy i regarded as a different matter.
In case Of n failure. 1t is possible the
local authorities may be in trouble for
i wrongful arrest.
Charged with Conspiracy.
The charge against the German officials
* that they were guilty Of conspiracy. Ia
that they sought ny unlawful methods
t" gain information regarding the opera
tons Of the Seattle Construction and
UrN Dock company. This information
Mas desired. it is alleged, (" Substantial"
thu. charge made by Amha ssador Bern
storff at the State Department that this
country was shipping submarines in sec
lions to tn" allies.
The treaty of 1871 provides that con
sular officers. not being citizens of the
where they are accredited shall
nioy. in tn" country OF their residence,
personal immunity from arrest or Impris-
oument. except IN the case of crimes"
Seattle dispatches indicate that the
state authorities did not modest the Ger
man officials Papers. Tho consul himself
alleges, i'll a dispatch to the embassy.
merely that officers entered his office for
The. purpose of making a search. lie does
not indicate that they made a search
Tn. only comment made at the en-
hassy yesterday regarding the case WAS
that tn" charges nCre absurd and not
true
I;r. Muller Is CONFIDENT.
Seattle" Wash. March 1S.-Confidence
that IN" charges against him would be
dismissed Was expressed today by DIR.
Wilhelm Muller. imperial German consul,
W no l. under arrest charged with con-
,pir;iry to influence ""rruptly an employe
uf tn" Seattle Construction and Dry
book Company ny inducing him to sell
business secrets.
With Or Muller were arrested his sec
rotary. u. NJ. Schultz. and John Murdoch.
aged 70 Prosecuting Attorney Alfred
H. LudIn. in fling information against
.h,. three. declared Muller had arranged
to pay Murdock Sl.'o0 for informa ton re-
.cived from the reported building Of sub
for tn" British navy by tho
Seatt'" Construction concern.
Prosecutor Ludin today made public !
statement by Murdoch. IN which the I
Dung man declared Muller and he were
still negotiating for the delivery Of the !
Information when the arrests were made. .
NurduCk. according To the prosecutor. /
wanted 81. 80 but Muller agreed 10 pay /
him Sl"h.
Br Muller in a statement issued at .
he German consulate, admitted that lie .
lah been approached 10y Dan TarnisaSky,
private detective. with q proposition 10 .
furnish information to Substantiatc Am
~ sS:,dor Won Bernstorff charges that tho !
seattle corporation was shipping parts
# submarines to the British government
~ way of British Columbia Dr. Muller
aid he had dealt with the detective in
rying to verify his report. hut that he
rad not attempted to buy any informa-
ion from Murdoch. TarniSasky is held
N a conspiracy charge and a witness.