The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-02-25

mere cog III the great military machine
was as sacred as the Bible. and that il
was every mans duty to surrender him.
| self absolutely to the will of his supe-
riors.
when left the navy I entered the
herman merchantile marine and went
forth to see the world. | had been ed
ucated in the belief that Germany was
heir TO the worlds commerce and that
nations like England were to be pushed
aside.
Like many other Germans went
| from country to country for the pur-
pose Of learning where | might begin
my life most favorably
Il landed in Boston four years ago and
| II was not long before l became con-
| WINGED that the United States was the
| country of all countries / decided to
become an American citizen and signified
my intention by obtaining my first pa
| pers.
In Boston I became associated with a
Christian Science publication Later. on
| visit to New York. | found an oppor-
tunity to go into business in this city
| and became connected with the Keuffel
and Esser Company. makers of engineer
| ing instruments.
Ordered to GERMANY
Before the war broke out l should
have sent word to the German govern
| ment that / had decided to become an
American citizen and so obtain release
from my duty as a reservist in time of
hostility. However. I did not do that
and when Germany invaded Belgium last
summer was still on The list of German
| reservists.
1T was not long before 1 received Or
| ders from home to return. | was told
that everything was in readiness for me-
was assigned to the naval station at
Cuxhaven. My uniform. my cap, my
boots. and my locker were all set aside
for me. and l was told just where 10 go
and what to do. AS soon as / reached
CuNhaven I was to take my part of the
great military machine and surrender
my own being absolutely 10 the father
land
Even though my growing American
spirit more or less rebelled at this
thought. / went to the German con-
sulate to receive further instructions
There weer no ships to carry us abroad
and so We reservists scattered.
Right here / might say that there
is in New York City a most extraordi-
nary organization of German-Ameri-
cans who are ready and willing at all
times to do secret work for their
Fatherland.
Every Detail Reported.
trail office and receive instructions
There is not a ship that leaves the
harbor. not a cargo that is loaded or
unloaded but what some member of
this secret association watches and
reports every detail. All this informa-
ton. | understand, is transmitted to
the German government
Whenever any important facts are
obtained which might aid a submarine
attack upon the British marine. or
the holding up of contraband goods
on neutral vessels, this information
is flashed by wireless from Sayville to
Berlin or some other German station.
1t is not sent out by code. That would
be too crude. The truth is covered
up in some apparently innocent mes
sage that would not excite suspicion.
Il became a member OF the secret asso-
citation and for time | thought / did
my duty in obeying the commands from
the German headquarters. / doubtless
would have continued in the same way
and never thought of revealing these
things and making myself liable to ar
rest and Imprisonment il 1t had not been
for a beautiful young woman from one
of the Southern States. She was Miss
Annette Pope, of Atlanta. I met her
last fall. 1t was a case of love at first
sight. We were married at the city
hall in New York City. on December I.
Boy-Ed's Notes Seized.
AT the beginning of this year the bane-
full effects Of the war had caused German
export business to shrink to such a de-
gree that many Of the young German
Americans employed in German houses
in New York were dismissed for lack
Of work.
II was one of them. 1t was a hard
blow. My savings / had spent in fur
nishings home. 1 found myself nearly
penniless. Nevertheless 1 was happy. II
others could fight it out could.
I'm the middle of January / called
at the German consulate at IL Broadway
and asked IL there was any employment
in German firms either in New York or
elsewhere, saying that 1 was only too
willing to do anything to earn a living
wae referred to Capt. Boyd, room
SOL
II saw Capt. Boy-Ed and he said that
he would try to find something for me.
Later 1 wrote him, and on January IS I
received this letter:
Many thanks for your letter. You
stand before me on my list Come tomor-
row afternoon around o'clock.
"'BOY-ED.'"
The original of this letter is now in
possession of the Federal authorities.
After 1 received this letter." continued
Stegler. Il went to room sol and had
long talk with Capt. Boyd. He said
he might have something Of great i'm
portance for me to do.
"On January 90 I received a telegram
which translated would mean:
PLEASE come today at any time ex-
cept between and 2:30 p. m. room SOL"
The original Of this telegram 10 also in
the possession Of the United States gov
eminent officials.
Had Other Conferences.
IT had other conferences with Capt
Boy-Ed." said Stegler. "and It finally
was decided that I should go to Eng
land a. q German spy. At first did
not realize the meaning of my mis-
zion. My orders came to me from those
whom I regarded ~ my oh1cial supe-
riors and accordingly felt It my duty |
to obey.
II was told that tho only way to do |
the work was to travel a. an Amsri- |
IAN eitisen. There already had been
many Germans arrested for obtaining |
passports. and as q result |
the passp0a regulations had been con-
stifIened. II was necessary |
10 produce . birth certificate ana Q |
asked how ! should ret
Ehsm and was told 70 get sonsbedy - :