New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-03
Destroys Part of Structure
Over ST. Croix River,
on Border.
KAISER'S OFFICER
CAUGHT IN MAINE
Declares His Offence Act
of War and Defles
EXtradition.
CANADA APPLIES
FOR HIS CUSTODY
Request Sent to Washington, and
International Questions
May Arise.


ernment has applied to the American
authorities for the cKtradtion OF Wer-
ner van Horn, arrested ~ connection
with the blowing up Of Canadian Pa
clfc railway bridge spanning the s..
Croix River. the international boundary
between the State OF Maine and the
Province Of New Brunswick
Van Horn was arrested in Naneeboro.
Ne, but as the offence was committed
on Canadian territory his eStradition
is sought that he may he tried by the
Canadian courts on the chsrg. Of de-
struction Of railway property.
The application Of the Canadian gov
eminent for the person OF Van Horn
has been forwarded TO the British Am
bassador at Washington for submis-
sion TO the American administration.
Vsnceboro. Me, Feb. ? Another in
ternational problem incident TO the war
was thrust upon the United States to-
day BY the action Of Werner Van Horn
who, operating on the Canadian side o.
the border, dynsmited the railroad
bridge over the S.. CroiX River and
then escaped into this state.
Van Horn quietly submitted 10 arrest
q few hours later in a room at hotel
here, but Immediately proclaimed him
self an officer Of the German army, and
set up the claim that he had COM
mltted an act Of war, and, having fed
10 q neutral country. could not he
legally surrendered TO an enemy OF the
Fatherland.
The Canadian authorities took a dlf-
fercnt view OF the matter. and az ono.
instituted proceedings to obtain the
charge Of destruction Of railroad prop
erty. Pending the outcome Of these
efforts Van Horn is held at the M
migration Office here in custody of
Deputy Sheriff George W Ross, OF
Washington County
Bridge Soon Repaired.
The bridge which Van Horn sought
10 destroy was not greatly damaged.
Within few hours cars were shunted
across one at time, the passengers
walking over on the ice. BY morning.
railroad officials said. the bridge would
be strong enough for trains to use "
without uncoupling
The St Croix River for some distance
forms the boundary between Maine and
New Brunswick. The bridge is owned
Jointly by the Maine Central and the
Canadian Pacific railways, and is OF
the direct route Of the Canadian Pa
cific from Western Canada TO the mari
time provinces. Over this road have
been shipped large quantities OF war
materials for the Allies. which were
placed on board ship al st. John and
Halifax.
According 70 the police, Van Horn
a man Of middle age and Of ilitary
bearing, told them he had left Germany
five Years ago, and for the last four
years had been managing coffee plan.
tation in Mexico. lie recently made
unsuccessful attempts 10 return TO hn
native land.
Van Horn left New York City or
Friday night, arriving here on Satur-
cay night and putting up at hotel
That same night, By appointment, he
met a man unknown TO him personally
at the east end Of the bridge. This
man gave him satchel containing
dynamite Van Horn suspended the
satchcl from the inside Of an end posi-
- the bridge, and at about 2 o'eiocE
this morning discharged the explosive.
This done, Van Horn planned 10 90
to Lambert Lake, whence he intended
TO drive about thirty miles TO prince-
ton. The night vas intensely cold, and
he suffered so much that ne WAS un-
able 20 carry out this purpose, and so
bc returned 10 the hotel. There the
policc found him in bed st o'clock
This morning. Al the request Of the
Canadian officers he was arrested.
Held without Formal Charge.
Attorney General william X. Pcttn-
gall sent word tonight from Augusta
10 DEPUTY Sheriff Ross to hold Van
Horn until further orders. While
there was no formal charge preferred
against him az FIRST, arrangements were
made 10 have Trial Justice George ".
Smith issue a warrant against Van
Horn, II necessary TO make certain his
detention.
Van Horn, the officials state. could
De CnafStu WIN udHoec " Isiifosu
bridge, which IS an cAtrssitsble Of
fence under an agreement between the
United States and Canada, or with
damage TO property on the American
side OF the border, where windows
were broken by the explosion. No
warrant, however, has been issued.
Van Horn has not seen a lawyer and
appears 20 take nj. detention cooily,
apparently Indifferent as 10 what
charges may be preferred against him.
Deputy Sheriff Ross communicated
with John s. ?. II. Wilson, United
States Marshal for Maine. and Arthur
Chapman, Assistant United States A.
torney, both OF whom live in Portland.
In the meantime the Attorney General
OF New Brunswick, J. II. NJ Baxter, had
telegraphed 10 officials Of the Canadian
Pacific Railway here, asking them 10
make complaint against Van Horn
which might be the basis for extradi.
ton prCce, dings TO be begun forth
with. Ottawa also Was advised Of the
situation.
II is understood that a preliminary
move is 10 be made To determine
whether Var Horn has any standing