The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-21
Correspondent Who Carried
Dispatches Calls All
Guiltless.
GETS BACK DENYING
INTENTIONAL WRONG
Asserts He Did Not Know
Nature of Messages He
Took Abroad.

toucs f. J. Archibald the American
r,r correspondcnt from whom the Brit
,eh military authorities took letter
written by Dr. Dumba. the Austrian AM
hlssador 10 the United States. to Baron
Buriau. the Austrian Minister for For
eIgp Affairs. in which there was out
lined a plan to cripple the manufacture
Of war munitions in this country, re-
turned TO New York yesterday on the
Rotterdam of the Holland-A America Line.
As the ship came up the ray he was
subjected to a brief inquiry by Chiet
william J. Flynn of the secret service
o. the matter OF a gold headed cane
Among the reports that had been cir
crlated concerning him since he was
arrested at Falmouth. England, and
taken from the Rotterdam on her last
trim to Europe was one that Mr.. Ar
chlba1d carried with him gold headed
cane which had been Followed out and
which was supposed TO contain official
Information tor the Austrian Govern
ment.
Mr.. Archibald told Chief Flynn that
IN. report was a myth that he carried
no such cane, and that the only gifts
which he had taken to Europe were a
small clock for Countess Won Bern
s'orff and a hon bon dish for the Prin-
cess Hatzfeldt. He gave his word OF
honor that this was 50.
This ended the inquiry. Chief Flynn
asked the war correspondent II he
would like to leave the ship and come
e. the city aboard the cutter Calumet
in order to avoid the newspaper men.
who were at that moment speeding to-
ward the Rotterdam aboard the cutter
Hudson. Mr.. Archibald declined the Of
fer. He said later that Chief Flynn
made no suggestion as to his going TO
Washington, nor did he indicate that
Archibald might expect to be watched
uy he secret service men.
Didn't know Contents of Letter.
Later In the day Archibald gave out
statement. after a long consultation
with his counsel. Frank J. Hogan OF
Washington. in which he reiterated his
declaration that he knew nothing OF
the nature of DR.. Dumba's communica-
tion. He then talked freely for half an
hour with reporters, detailing his ex-
and with Minister Henry van Dyke. who
took up his passport when he arrived
a. The Hague and gave him another that
paved the way for his return to this
country. He asserted emphatically that
he would not knowingly have done any
'ung detrimental to his own country
H. will go TO Washington this morning
iio said he would communicate imme-
u.a;rly with the State Department as
80 his readiness to answer all ques-
ions. He added that no one had re-
su"stcd him to do this, but that he
felt 1t 20 be his duty in view of wha,
mas hsppened
\ change appeared to come over Mr.
Archibald after his talk with Mr. Hogan
To those who boarded the Rotterdam a,
Quarantine ne appeared TO be very much
.n doubt as to what was going to happen
He was nettled by every question. He
was So eN tied that he forgot to see tina,
Mrs. Archibald had not got off the shiI
IN Hoboken and fused with his baggage
Ike "a man who had never crossed tbs
o"eau before. But when he gave out his
statement in the afternoon all signs OF
i'rypusness had disappeared. He
answer : questions with an air OF suav.
ir lie didn't always know just what
Questions to answer. but once Mr.. Hogan
gave him the nod he went straight aheaA
w''h whatever he had to say. lie re.
fused 10 pose for his picture, however
ON 'h" ground that he wished no one Il
be.I"ye that he didn't take his situation
seriously.
before he left the Rotterdam Mr. Ar
c.i'tlI said:
got into this thing unwlttingly anC
'''n"u'y and l want to get out OF 4
Tue best way | can"