New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-20
Government Fears At
tempt to Stop Revelation
of German Plots.
CANAL CONSPIRACY
WITNESSES FOUND
Dozen Rounded Up in Buffalo
and Niagara Falls-Four More
Arrests Expected To-day.

Frederick Metzler, private secretary
of Paul Koenig, head of the Hamburg
American Lines secret service and al
legged director Of the plot TO destroy
the Welland Canal in Ontario. was
kept in hiding yesterday by agents Of
the Department Of Justice. He is con-
sidered the most important infoTms-
tion tap the government has thus far
found, and it is generally believed that
he has already given enough evidence
against Koenig and his associates to
guarantee prompt indictments.
Metzler, who has not been arraigned,
although arrested on Friday. has been
kept away from Koenig and other per-
sons connected with the Hamburg
American Line despite their efforts TO
find him. Metzler, because of his
youth and inexperience and his com
plete knowledge of practically ell de
tails of Koenig's activities, is the one
man Of all those arrested about whom
his superiors are the most concerned.
Koenig learned that his secretary
had been "squealing" when vital ques-
tions pertaining to things known only
TO himself and his secretary we're asked
Of him Koenig, it is said, does not
fear exposure by others in his employ,
as their steadfastness has been tested
many times.
Immunity Probable for Metzler.
An encouraging feature in the case
Of Metzler, from the governments
viewpoint. is the indication that he is
not deeply involved in the conspiracies.
In the circumstances the government
is in a position to grant him certain
degree of immunity in return for in
formation against the plotters.
Men who were on Koenig's trail yes
terday believe that Koenig was trying
TO find Metzler. Richard Emil Leyen-
decker, an alleged accomplice of koe-
mig. and others who have not yet been
arrested are known to have been look
with the young secretary or note
slipped to him, it is said, might be the
means Of cutting short the flow OF IN
formation against Koenig.
Metzler probably will not be ar
raigned for week or two. II ar
raigned now he would be bsiled
promptly by the Hamburg-American
Line, and the government authorities
would be unable to prevent a meeting
with Koenig and Leyendecker.
Detectives who have been trailing
German conspirstors for the last three
months declared yesterday that with
the arrest OF Koenig the backbone OF
the local conspiracies mad been broken.
"Koenig." said one OF the detectives,
was the brain and strong arm of the
plotters. As long as koenig was un-
molested his men had enormous conf
dence in his ability TO avoid detection,
and Koenig himself often boasted that
no one could catch him"
Witnesses Found Near Canada Line.
On information believed to have been
supplied by Metzler, the Secret Service
men have rounded up dozen witnesses
in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, where
there had been meetings relative 10
the proposed destruction Of the wei
land Canal. Four witnesses left But
falo last night, and are expected TO
appear before Chief William NJ. Oihey
to- day
Frederick Schleindl, the credit clerk
Of the National City Bannk, who was
arrested Saturday morning on charge
Of larceny for having purloined credit
papers from the bank for the use OF
Koenig. remained in the Tombs prison
yesterday in default OF bail.
Otto i. Mattola. the policeman who
was suspended Saturday because Of al
legged associations with Koenig, will be
tried in the Police Department within
ten days.
His superiors believe he has not
committed any offence against the
United States, but the Secret Service
men declare that they have evidence
against him which thus far they have
withheld from the police officials.
Four more arrests are expected to-
day on warrants identical with those
obtained by Roger b. Wood. Federal
prosecutor, for the arrest Of kocnig