Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-31
Execution Austrian Spy Civilian Clothes the
Servan Army

ldn ARMY.
on daring mission to get behind
the British lines and signal certain
things that were happening there.
or course, they were promptly exc.
cuted. 1t hardly need be remarked
that to undertake such an enterprise
as this requires more nerve than to
face the ordinary risks OF war.
Undoubtedly soldiers often feel
sympathy for captured spy work.
Ing for his own country, but such are
his possibilities OF causing disaster
that no mercy can be shown.
The aeroplane is an extraordinary
instrument Of espionage. The Ger.
man official reports have recently
stated that the Allies we're dropping
spies from aeroplanes in the rear OF
their lines. This would appear to be
very effective trick, as the Allies
have mt their disposal large number
Of natives of the parts of France and
Belgium now occupied by the Ger
mans. The regions from which these
people come are the most critical
points in the present military opera.
tions. and few native spies. in.
spired by genuine patriotism, might
cause serious disasters 10 the Ger.
mans.
From the military point of view, It
is a compliment to say that the Ger.
mans have the greatest espionage
system in the world. Their spies
operate not only on the field OF
battle, but in the Government Offices
and legislatures OF every enemy
country and possible enemy country.
If only small part OF Mr.. Ignatius
T. Tribitsch Lincolns admissions are
true. 1t proves the vastness OF the
German spy system. Mr.. Lincoln.
who was very recently extradited
from the United States on a charge
OF forgery, was originally a Hun
garian by the name OF Tribitsch He
then became successfully a natural
lied Englishman, a clergyman Of the
Church OF England and an English
member OF Parliament. All these
things he says he did in order to be
able to furnish information to Ger
many about British plans.
II went to Rotterdam just before
the war and saw the German Consul"
confessed Mr.. Lincoln. I'm due
course'of time the plan outlined to
him was approved by the German
Government, and ! was then made
Nor - .,
system.
IL was also acting as spy for the
British Secret Service under Captain
Hall, which thought woulu prove an
effective blind for what ! was doing
for Germany. At given time two
or three German cruisers of obsolete
class were to make for the English
coast.
knowing In advance Of this move.
ment was to tip off the Admiralty,
and the Germans were to allow them
selves to be captured or sunk. This
method was to be repeated again,
and the trap was set for the third
time.
81 was to tip off the Admiralty, as
usual, on the third occasion that a
raid was contemplated. A powerful
German squadron was to remain
close, but out OF sight OF the raiding
vessels, and was either to concen-
trate against the attacking fleet sent
out by the Admiralty and destroy 1t
by overwhelming numbers or land
troops at some place which we would
know was unprotected at that time.
Captain Hall suspected me. how
ever, before had an opportunity to
carry out the plans against the
British fleet. Early in January he
sent for me. and at the interview Il.
knew that / would be hanged as a
Spy II / did not make my way out
OF the country at once. accordingly
left for New York"
The French attribute the execution
of VI. Seyler, Mayor OF the village of
VeXaincourt In the Vosges, to his
ingenuity in unmasking two spies.
Just before the war he noticed two
dentists travelling about the country
and treating teeth in the Village
streets. Their occupation and their
habit Of working In the open air gave
them a fine opportunity to observe
the country and make sketches. The
Mayor had them examined, and they
were expelled from the country.
when the German army occupied
Vexaincourt the two dentists an.
peared as German officers, and. &C.
cording to dispatch, they caused
the Mayors execution.