Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-31

Paris, March 31.-Raymond Swo-
bodo, one of the passengers aboard
the French line steamship La Tour
aine, which was imperiled by fire at
sea March 8, has been arrested
charged with setting fire to the vessel.
asserts Swobodo is suspected of hav-
ing CLOSE relations with the enemy
and correspondence found in his
room is said 10 indicate he was
charged with the task of blowing up
the La Touraine. He will be taken
to HaYre Investigation by experts
established the fact, it is said, that
the blaze was caused by explosion of
some denoting device. Statements of
passengers and members of the crew
support this theory. The explosion
was sufficiently violent to wrench
loose the doors OF cabins nearby. 1t
is believed explosives were placed
with criminal intent in a trunk which
was stored with baggage of hrstsoiass :
passen gers in number two hold. Wit
nesses stated. according to the Matin,
thev were amazed at a statement
made one night during the voyage by
a fellow passenger when they were
discussing German threats to tor
pedo ships 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
she wants with this ship. herself.
even before she reaches the war zone.
She might be obliged to have recourse
to doctors and nurses aboard to care :
for the passengers. Only passing7l
heed, however. was given to this as-
sertion when il was made. The pas
senger quoted as having boasted OF
Germany's power was listed on the
ships records as Raymond Swo-
bodo. SO. American subject; profes-
sion. financier: destination. Paris"
Well Known in Paris.
According TO the secret service Swo-
bodo is fairly wei known in Paris
financial circles and has been con-
nected with several more or less i'm
portant transactions. He was sup
posed to have been a Russian He
had served as foreign representative
for a broker named Morrison, who
a large brokerage house in
Paris Morrison expressed amaze
ment when told of Swobodo's arrest.
II had business relations with Swo-
bodo." he said But he always was
honorable in his dealings with me. He
formerly was employed in a large
Paris bank and / am not astonished
1t his wide knowledge of finance. His
,1IsiDess brought him a large income"
Presents American Passport.
New York. March S1.-Swobodo, it
S said, came into the Office of the
french line the day before the steamer
,ailed and presenting what appeared
o be an American passport vised by
he French consul here told the clerk
le wanted to engage passage to
Iavre. where he expected to sell some
supplies TO the French government
The nature of the supplies. so far as
he clerk recalled. was not stated.
Swobodo did say. however, the clerk
ecalled, that he wanted to take aboard
ome samples OF supplies The clerk
vas under the impression the supple.
lad something to do with the use of
gasoline en-
,ine of some sort. The clerk directed
Swohodo to General Agent Fagnet,
Who was in the Office, TO get permits
ion When he emerged from Fageut's
Dom Swobodo said according to the
lerk: Il didn't get all / wanted, but
did get a concession. 1 can take
ome samples with me-" Swobodo
aid for a ticket and departed.