The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-19
BRITISH SEEN TO
HAVE STRONG PROOF
AGAINST kUtPFERlE
c erman-Amcrican On Trial in
London on Charge of Being
Spy For Kaiser
Holds American
Citizenship Lightly
Served In German Army Was
Then Sent To New York.
Going Thence To England.
Fatal Letters Intercepted

ton kuepferie, an American cltfzen
of German birth, who lived in Brook
lyn, n. Y. began today, and will UNI
doubtedly prove one of the most SEN
sational cases Of its sort on record.
At the close of the first days ses-
sion your correspondent is able to
say exclusively that the British au-
thorities have secured most incrimi-
mating evidence against Kuepferle.
This information, which will be
brought out la evidence tomorrow or
on the next day. Is to the following
effect:
Kuepferle, who was kept under the
most careful observation from the mo-
ment of his arrest, was purposely
placed in a prison where there were
other Germans awaiting deportation.
During his residence there he endeav-
ored to communicate to one OF these
Germans letter. His endeavor failed
however, the letter being found on
his person before he had managed
to deliver 1t. In the opinion of the
British authorities it absolutely de-
stroys the defense the prisoner had
hoped to establish, which was 10 the
effect that he had come to England
as a journalist.
Has Served In German Army.
The letter. on the other hand. DEM
onstrates beyond doubt that Kuepferle
left America soon after war was de-
clared. and went to Germany There
he enlisted, In spite of his American
citizenship, and fought for some time
in the present war.
Before long however, he was relieved
from military duty and because of his
knowledge of English and his familiar
ity with American and British affairs,
was sent back to New York and % .
dered TO proceed from there to Eng
land ON a special mission OF espion-
age.
The letter contains sentences to this
effect:
How / wish were back at the
front, even for half an hour. l would
soon show these English -- what
l think of them.
when l am sentenced l shall re-
ceive the verdict with a salute. but !
shall never let them know that have
been a soldier
But not only will the disclosures OF
the present trial be sensational mat
ter for the British public The United
States government will ibe given ser
| ious matter for consideration in the
fact that Kuepferle. though a natur-
| alizsd American citizen, went to Ger.
many and fought at the front.
N1tizensntp lAgntIy HE'D.
His action in adopting this course
and his deliverance of the American
oaths of loyalty to the German cause
will be exceedingly suggestive of the
attitude In which these oatffs may BIZ
held by other naturaiized citizens oil
German origin. At least, this is the
view British authorities are inclined
to take of the incident.
| Furthermore, many matters OF Vita
interest to the United Safes will BE-
revealed during he trial. Needless
| to say these matters cannot be limited
at now. They will be brought to light
during the next few days, however.
! There could be no better proof OF
the Importance attached to the trial
than the presence this, morning in the
! Old Bailey police court, where the triaI
! is taking place. of tree justices OF
these Lord Reading. Lord Chief Justice
of England. was presiding. The Others
were Justices Avery and Lush.
/ Contrary to previous announcements
the trial will not be behind closed
DOORS Admission was only by ticket
however. and long before the court was
convened the room was packed and
damned, every available seat beina
taken. The prosecution was conducted
by the Attorney General. The charge
alleges that the prisoner sought Il
assist an enemy of Great Britain by
furnishing information OF military
value.
Pleads Net Guilty.
Kuepferie pleaded not guilty. The
Attorney General claimed in opening
that the prisoner is not an American
citizen. but a German. He charged
that Kuepferle supplied information
concerning the British warships and
. t.~sv he nj "a IL
and the disposition of the kings
forces
| A letter was produced which the pris-
oner had sought to send to neutral
country. II appeared to be an innocent
lcommercfaf communication until It had
been closely examined. 1t was then
found to be interlined with informa-
tion In German. written In invisible
ink.
Kuepferle arrived at Liverpool. said
the Attorney General. on February a.
and every act or which. tho charge
against him 10 based took place within
NIX. days He registered ntsss ~ hotel
and showed an American passport
signed by Secretary Bryan and issued
ten DAYS prior to his sailing from New
York. On the day following his arrival
he wrote a letter and addressed 1t to
q man In Holland. The postal author
titles spotted this communication IA
London and opened 1t. The letter pa
per bore printed heading reading;
IS. I4angsdorf a Company. Spring and
Crosby Streets. New York. This name
ana address. had heen. crossad out
| however. and Kuepferls had subjoined
his own name and the. Address ~ 1855
fDeKalb Avenue, Brooklyn.
The letter contained nothing Of an
nature. merely stAtfnG