The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-03
German Dynamites Cana dian Bridge and Escapes Into Maine-PrOclaims Himself German Officer
SAYS HE CANNOT E BE SURRENDERED TO
 COUNTRIES ENEMY
Canadian Authorities Take a Different View, How ever, and Will Seek to Ex- tradite Him

Nanceboro. Me-, February 2.-Anoth- CT international problem incident to the war was thrust upon the United states today by the action of Werner Van Horn. who, operating on the Canadian side of the border. dynamited the rail- way bridge over the St. Croix river and then escaped into Maine.
 A few hours later, in room at hotel here, Van Horn submitted to arrest, but immediately proclaimed himself an of fleer of the Germany army, and set up the claim that he had committed an act of war, and having fled to a neutral country, could not be surrendered legally to an enemy of the fatherland
 The Canadian authorities took a differ ent view of the matter, and immediately instituted proceedings to extradite the prisoner on a charge of destruction of railroad property. Pending the outcome of these efforts Van Horn is held at the immigration office here in custody of a deputy sheriff.
 The bridge which Van Horn sought to destroy was not greatly damaged With in a few hours cars were shunted across one at a time, the passengers walking over on the ice. By morning railroad of ficials said the bridge would be strong coupling.
 Bridge Jointly Owned The St croix river for some distance foyms the boundary between Maine and New Brunswick. The bridge is owned Jointly by the Maine Central and the Canadian Pacific railways. and is on the direct route of the Canadian Pacific from western Canada to the maritime prov inces. over this road have been shipped large quantities of war materials for the allies which were dispatched from St John and Halifax
 According to the police, Van Horn, a man of middle age and of military bear ing, told them that he left Germany hVe years ago. and for the past four years had been managing coffee planta- ton in Mexico. Recently he made un- successful attempts to return to his na- tive land.
 Friday night Van Horn left New York city. arriving here Saturday night and staying at a hotel That same night by
 
 the bridge man unknown to him. The man gave him satchel containing dyna- mite. Van Horn suspended the satchel rom the inside of an end post of the bridge and about o'clock this morn- ing discharged the explosive.
 This done, he planned to go to Lambert lake, from which point he intended to drive about 30 miles to Princeton. That night was so cold he abandoned the trip and returned to the hotel There the police found him in bed at 2 o'clock this morning. At the request of the Canadian authorities he was taken into custody.
 Attorney General William R. Pattan- gall tonight ordered that Van Horn be helds until further orders. While there was no formal charge preferred against him at first arrangements were made to have warrant issued if necessary in or der to make certain Van Horns deten- ton.
 Van Horn. the officials state, could be charged with damage to railroad bridge. which is an extraditable offense, or with damage to property on the American side of the border, where windows were brok- en by the explosion.
 Appears Indifferent
 Up to tonight Van Horn had not seen lawyer and appeared indifferent as to what charges may be preferred against him.
 The attorney general of New Bruns- wick, J. B. M. Baxter. telegraphed to officials of the Canadian Pacific railway here' asking them to make complaint asainst van Horn which might be the basis for extradition proceedings to be be- gun forthwith. Ottawa was also advised of the situation.
 It is understood preliminary move tContinued on Page Ten,