The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-09
BERLIN NOTE DENIES
PASSPORT FORGERY
Germany Holly Attacks Eng
lish Reports Of Confess
sions by Spies.
CALLS THEM INVENTIONS

W~AsHISGToS, Nov. a.-The charge OF
German spies. made before their execu-
ton in England. that German officers
furnished them with false American
passports and that there was a COM
plete paraphernalia for making such
false passports. Is unaualiredly denied
by tho German Government IN n note re-
ceived at the state Department to-day.
This note In In response TO representa-
ton ou the part OF the United States.
TIT American note called to the utten-
tion Of he Berlin government the sta,e-
ments OF the German spies. when on
I trial in London. which were furnished
TO this Government by the British.
Germany not only declares these state
mcnts untrue. II maze. but indicates
that she believes them to be inventions
OF tho British authorities. II the state
ments ever were made by the spies, tho
note asserts. they mus. nave been made
as a result OF threats. romIse or other
pressure from the British authorities
II Is also asserted that agencies for
making and selling false passports of
neutra, countries we're uncovered in ter
ritory occupied by German forces. Tie
raidlng Of such an establishment in Ant
werp H. mentioned.
In view OF Germany's wholesale de-
mails 1t is not expected that there will
loo any further representations by the
. United States in this matter unless new
cases arise. The teSC OF the German
note follows:
The undersigned has the honor to
state the following to his Exc.ilency
the Hon. James W. Gerard, In reply 10
the letter of July 81, concerning the a.
legged issuing OF false passports by the
U;erman authorities:
The assertions made by Robert Roscn-
thai, who was shot in England as a spy.
that a false passport had been Offered
to him In IN. Offices Of the German Ad-
miralty stan. that Corvettenka plain
prieger held Il stock OF falsiicd Amerl-
can p.ssport blanks In the admiralty
stan offices and that the latter has shown
him the wetcrmarks IN them as well a.
rubber stamps for the Equalization OF
false passports. one and all are not true
with reference 10 the fact that one
George T. Breckow. who was arrested III
England ~ "A spy. had been supplied
with a false passport the Investigations
StdItcL AsiN ] az A''N'N' ' -"
established fact. however. that during
IN. present situation of the war certain
individuals In the occupied enemy terri
tory and also IN neutral countries. en-
deavor to make a trade Of issuing false
papers OF decentralization and of selling
them for "a good price.
'In mi. way a passport faisIArrs den
was raiied in Antwerp which WAS al
ready in existence when Antwerp was
Occupied by German troops II may We'll
be assumed that the passport found OH
BrectOw originated from u n plant
As far ~ the alleged testimony given
by Rosenthul ami Breckow before the
English law courts Is concerned. accord
Ing to which German officers prepared
, false passports and handed them 10
agents, il must be assumed hat the ac-
cusci were induced by threats. promises
or other means OF pressure during the
examination to invent these statements
In the belief that they might lie nf In
ter,~, for the enemy state.
They may have hoped to obtain q
mitigation Of the impending severe pun
ishment by placing the responsibility for
the false passports on the authorities
and rot on themselves strong doubts
exist here, however. whether the alleged
testimony was actually given in any
case. The assumption that German Gov
eminent officials with the knowledge and
consent OF German Government author!-
ties had prepared false American pass
ports and handed them 10 agents must
be cnergctically r,futed.
The undersigned ava!ls himself OF
this opportunity TO renew TO tho Ambas-
sador tho assurances or his highest
esteem. ZIMMERMANS,
"Undcr Secretary of Foreign Affairs"