Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-04-01
PASSENGER HELD
FOR FIRING SHIP
Man Who Crossed on La Touraine Is
Accused Of Trying to Destroy
the Vessel.
CARRIES AMERICAN PASSPORT

PARIS, March 91.-Raymond
swoboda. one OF the passengers
aboard the French line steamship La
Touraine, which was imperiled by a
fire al sea on March 6. has been ar
rested. charged with setting fire to
the vessel, according to the Matin.
swoboda. the paper asserts, is sus-
pected OF having CLOSE relations with
the enemy" and correspondence
found in his rooms is said to indicate
he had been charged with the task oil
blowing up the Touraine. He has
been taken TO Havre.
Caused by Explosion.
Investigation maze by experts appointed
by Admiral Charlier, who is conducting
the inquiry into the steamship fire, has
established, Il is said, the fact that the
blaze aboard the Touraine must have
been caused by the explosion Of some
detouating device. Statements made by
passengers and members OF the crew sup
port this theory. Tho explosion was
sufficiently violent to wrench loose the
doors OF cabins near by. The authorities
believe the explosive had been placed
with criminal intent in a trunk which
was stored with The baggage Of fifstTclass
lpassenkers In No. hold.
with, this first report OK e<perte at
hand tho state attorney 81 Hayre ex-
au1ined as many passengers ne could be
reached. The witnesses stated. according
10 the Matin. that hey had Beer amazed
at the statement made one night during
the voyage by n fellow passenger when
they were discussing the German threats
TO torpedo vessels passing through the
war zone. This passenger Is quoted as
having remarked:
''Oh, that isn't the only war zone that
would. be dangerous. Germany Is strong
enough TO do what II wants. This ship
IitsefK, even before II reaches the war
Fzonc might. be obliged to have recourse
10 the doctors and nurses aboard TO caro-
for the passenger"
Only passing heed, however. was given
ITO this assertion, when II was made, but
In view OF subsequent events Il appeared
Ito tho Investigating attorney 70 have
considerable Importance.
The passenger in question, who was
quoted u having boasted OF Germany
power. was listed on the ships records as
Raymond swoboda, % years OF age. an
American citiEen: profession. fipsncier;
destination. Paris.n
Commissary Dubert. attached to the
secret service department OF the. ministry
OF the Interior. undertook the task OF
, TRACING Swobcda. He found that the man
was fairly well known in Paris OF the
cierioais and. hsd been connected with
. several more or less Important transac-
lions. lie WAS supposed 70 be Russian,
for he often spoke OF his family connec-
tions at Petrograd, and Moscow. He had
: served as doreign representative. for 6
broker named MorrlFon. who, conducts
one Of the largo ptpkerege houses n
q Paris I'll h as8
None Of swobodas business associates
/ lKad soon hiins after the arrival OF III,
Tosnaine at Havre whore IL dockss
( takfeiy on March 3. .buid3dbert traced hin
10 hotel IN The avenue ISiebet. ~
\ paakport Issaed fn New York.
WASHINGTON. March M.-Search o
State department records to-day reveale,
that Raymond swoboda made applica
, ton for an American passport In New
) York on February a. swoboda gave hi
r residence as San Frencisco. The Stat
. department today forwarded what In
. formation Il has TO the Department o
Justice for investigation.
circumstances Recalled.
NTw YORK. March sl.-rha circum
: stances under which Mr.. swobodn sale
!, aboard the La Touraine February q wer
:, clearly recalled today at the office OF tn
. French line here.
!. Mr. swoboda. il was said. came into th
y office OF the line on February g. IN
4 day before the steamer sailed and pre-
a scented what appeared TO be an America
y Ipassport vlsed by tho French consul here
d said he wanted 60 engage passage I
). Havre. The ticket clerk. whom he en-
, sagsd in conversation. recalled him tods
= as a pleasant man.
II ! -