New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-27
Several Attaches Said To
Be Parts of Elaborate
Espionage Plan.
RUROEDE NOW CAST
FOR ROLE OF VICTIM
Nav Plead Guilty, Thus Hiding
News Which Germany Fears
Would Help Allies.

German Embassy in Washington, is
really the head Of a secret service that
covers the United States and Canada,
tss been forwarded to Washington by
the United States Attorneys Office and
The local Secret Service staff. This
evidence, it is stated on the highest
authority, involves several members Of
the embassy staff.
II is because Of this that Count Won
Bernstorff dashed out Of Washington
Wednesday night and, avoiding his
usual residence here, returned to the
capital as hastily as ne came. II is
understood in government circles that
several Of these diplomatists will
quietly drop out OF sight as soon as
the excitement over the case Of Rich
ard P. Stegler, arrested for procuring
false passport, dies down.
To protect these men from further
scandal and the spy system from as
thorough an airing as it might other
wise get, it is expected that Karl Ru-
Yoede. the head and front Of the scheme
70 ship reservists by the score on false
passports, will plead guilty and throw
himself upon the mercy Of the court
when his case is called, some time next
week. The case is on the docket for
Monday, when it Will be marked for
trial
Soft Pedal on Publicity.
Addison S. Pratt, formerly Assistant
United States Attorney, counsel for
Rurosde, said yesterday that he did
not know when his client would 60 on
.rial or what would be his final plea.
A plea Of guilty would make it un-
necessary for the government TO make
public data as 70 the German organi-
ration shat the imperial government
in Berlin would prefer should not
reach the Allies. This would be in
line with the policy of the administra-
ton in Washington. which has ordered
that the soft pedal be put on the pass
port cases. II is the desire of Wash
ington 70 avoid as much friction as
possible.
For this reason the government Off
GERS in charge Of the case refer all
injuries TO Washington. There the
only matter forthcoming is a defence
Of Count Won Bernstorff, who, II is de-
elared, is not involved by any of the
evidence thus far obtained. Persons
in a position to know something about
the strength Of the evidence presented
declare this denial 10 be largely diplo-
matte.
Captain Boyd laughed yesterday
when his attention was called to a re-
mort that he would be sent to Mexico.
THAT is true, may; but have not
yet received official notice, 70 that
.SsetS n. declared. Nothing | see
II have been accused of almost
everything. II another accident hap
pens in the subway ! suppose l VIII
most likely be blamed for that. How
ever. am sure no one can prove that
] caused the recent Italian earthquake
and no one has yet accused me OF 'he
murder Of Herman Rosenthal.
The statement that an agent OF the
German government, imphedly ne, had
maid the widow Of Carl Hans Lody
$4,000 in this city in full settlement
% her claims amused the attache.
81 did not know Lody, never saw
him in fact. but II my recollection -
correct. IL was established at the time
OF mis- execution that he had no "lle'
having been divorced from the woman
he married in the West" SAID the cap
tain. a.. -.
"CsptAin." asked a reporter, in view
Of your denials of being lmpllcaIeu
with Stsgler, do you not think u re-
narkable you should have taken such ca,
an interest in him, mere reserVls'
Editor Repudist, Him.
Now that l think Of IT," he replied,
chat IL the thing that amazes me.
But. YOU see, was impressed with tne
fellows apparent honesty and MS
pressing needs"
Ceoree Sylvester Vicreck. editor OF
,he "Fatheriand," was brought into the
Ste9ler case yesterday. He said that
Stegler approached him with request
for aid in getting a passport
"He came 20 me the day he saw Dr'
v.J Fuehr." said the editor, "but
bo did not ask for q job. Instead nc
ssked me for aid in getting passport.
/ WAS amazed that he should make sucn
. reouest of me, an American citizen
". aid not say that he was sent by
Pov.TS. but he did declare he was 20,
in9 20 Germany on very conhdentsl
business and needed passport he
ronr.septed himself as knowing peo~
ole high Up in the German service.
"'Where are your credentials !.
..L,d Rim ~ YOU know these people
and are what you say you arc you must
hsv. some scrap of paper TO show Tor
IT.
"'Th. nature Of my business pre-,
eludes that / should carry any papers,
he said. Il have destroyed every oit Of
paper ever had
THE truth, think, is, as shown ny
the Developments, that he saved every
scrap Of paper he ever had. ....
'T knew Stegler before this VISIT
which was some time in January. Two
years or 50 ago he worked for me on
the Tnternstionsle,' when ] was edit
ing that publication. SO he needed no
introduction.
"The trouble with the man is that a
peryerted sense OF patriotism turned
c>ailAasd On pase 4. column