Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-02-03
GERMAN DAMAGES
CANADIAN BRIDGE
Officer of Kaiser's Army Under Ar
rest in Maine for Trying to
Destroy Structure.
HE CALLs IT AN ACT OF war

vANCEBoRo. Me-, Feb. 2.--An
attempt to destroy the railroad
bridge spanning the St. Croix river,
which forms the international bopn-
dary line between eastern Maine and
New Brunswick, was made early to-
day. One of the three spans OF the
structurew bicwn up BY dynamite.
The attack on the bridge caused
great excitement on the New Bruins
wick side, where rumors OF Ger
man plot spread rapidly and resulted
in an Immediate investigatlon by the
provincial authorities,
Inquiry was also begun on this side
and this led 70 the arsest at local
hotel OF a man who gkve his name as
Werner Van Horne. According to the
police, the prisoner said he was an officer
In the service OF Germany, but refused
to divuige his rank. Tho police say he
admitted that ne exploded the dynamite
under a section OF the bridge and that
dynamite cap and a plan Of the bridge
were found in his pockets Van Horne
says he IL 81 years old.
The arrest was made by Deputy Sheriff
George w. Ross, who was accompanied BY
two Canadian officers from McAdani
Junction, New Brunswick. He was re-
moved TO the United states immigration
rooms where he was closely guarded
Deputy Sheriff Ross notified the United
States marshal and the United States
district attorney at Portland, asking for
instructions.
Calls II Act OF war.
Asked why he had dynamited the bridge.
the prisoner. the police say; made the
simple explanation that his country was
at war with Great Britain ana that Can
ada was part OF the enemy's country.
He said that he came frpm Now York.
The bridge Is the connecting link be-
tween the Maine Central and, the Cam
adam, Pacific tracks. the Canadian Pacific
having traffic rights over the former
road from Mattawamkeag to the boun-
dairy This is the through route from
upper and western Canada 70 the Mari
time provinces. directly connecting Nom
treal with the ports OF 81 John and Hail
fax. ..t.., i,
In the winter season ST. John, n. b., Il
the principal eastern port Of Canada and
tbither have come from Montreal and
further west great quantilfesS OF provi-
sions and other munitions Of war for
shipment to England and France. The
shipments have passed over the bridge
which it was sought to destroy.
wouId Delay war Supplies.
This Is the most direct route from the
west. as, cutting across the state OF
Maine. Il Il several hundred miles shorter
than the northern route operated by the
capadian government. which follows the
st. Lawrence river 20 Little Metis. Quebec.
and then turns south OF Moncton. St.
John and Halifax. The loss OF the bridge
would delay, but not interrupt the trans
portation9of war materials 70 the coast.
Horne was made prisoner Of the state
g SNa'ue- To avoid possible complica-
4 sscna tfS local authorities made no fur
iker Move pending advice from the fed
eFal, g0gsrnment. The Canadian author
itisA inaicated they would Immediately
make representations at Washington with
view TO extradition on the ground that
dynamiting has been done on ths Cana
dian side OF the border. On the other
hand. Il was said that Horne would be
defended against extradition basing his
claim for the protection of the United
states on his assertion that ne had COM
mitted an act OF war and that hts Of
tense was political
Railroad officials, after a careful ex-
animation OF the bridge. declared the ex-
plosion had been failure as far as
damage was concerned. sleepers were
blown out. the rails were twisted and q
sirder Was damaged. but the foundation
Continued on Page Two. Column FOUR