The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-14

to destroy merchant ships OF the Allies
seated on the North German Lloyd
stca mship Friedrich der Crosse.
That was the emphatic charge made
yesterday by both he local police and
the Department OF Justice, who Joined
forces 10 prosecute the investigation into
the gigantic ship plot. after the arrest
in the afternoon Of the CHIEF engineer
aIh three Of his assistants on board the
German liner at her pier In Hoboken.
Although the bombs we're carried to
American soil I bs Allied With sulphuric
acid and chlorate Of potash, nevertheless.
according 10 the authorities. the German
owned ship Was the background Of u
part IT the alleged plotting against the
Allies merchantmen.
But having established that point TO
own satisfaction. both Capt. Tunney
~ the bomb squad and Chief william NJ.
ofiey. assisted by Joseph A. Baker OF
the department of Justice, began under
the direction OF Roger Il. Wood, assistant
United states Attorney. an inquiry as to
the source ~ the funds supplied for the
manufacture Of the bointH and their
secret planting on board the ships.
Thiuk Nanteien Originator.
In coins back ward the fountain
head Of the conspiracy, The authoriuo
held to one main contention--that
Lieut. Capt. Franz Won Rintelen was the
originator of the scheme and that he
supplied the first funds. giving direc-
lions to other secret agents OF Ger
many. for tho execution Of the details.
Through the confessions Of Capt
Charles Won kleist n Ernst Becker
the latter an electrician on board the
Friedrich der Crosse, Information was
obtained that pr. william T. Scheele'
a chemist for whom the authorities now
are searching Us the ninth and last
person In the conspiracy. received NO.
ooO to start the wor 81 furnishing fer
tilizer and fire bombs: that DR.. Scheels
DEPOSITED "A check for $4,000 drawn on
the banking firm of knauth. Nachod 4
kuhne, In the First National Bank OF
Hoboken, and that he purchased botf
muriatic and %sulphurtc acid. ingredients
OF the fire bombs.
II has been asserted that Rintelen
who, according " the best Of authority
came to this country to prevent snip
ments of supplies TO the Allies. and wht
is believed to have been behind much ri
the rough work of German secret agents
was one OF the moving spirits behind
the present alleged plot Furthermore. u
was asserted yesterday. that Rinteler
was "A close friend of Capt. Robert Fay
already under arrest IN a czharge Of
plotting 10 blow TIP munit,on ships.
Uad Tremendous Povver.
II also was asserted that Rintelen
said to have enjoyed tremendous powell
vested in him by the German authorities
called upon both Capt o Papen anc
Capt. Boyd. whether with his Govern
ment's sanction or not. to give their aic
to his plans. II also was insisted by y
Government official that into this schem'
was drawn a part OF Germany's secre'
service and that most OF Thorn were EN-
ployed by the Hamburg-AmericaI
Steamship Company.
Acting directly under Won RinteIen
| described AS having as much authorit,
In this country during his stay as Coun
won Berrstorff. and the formers assis
tant. Capt. Steinberg. were Capt. Ott'
| woipert, superintendent Of he Alta
! Line, and Capt. Emo Bode. superin
tendent Of the Hamburg-Americai
| docks IN Hoboken. or these two Capt
Wolpert was said to be the most I'M
| portant. and the names Of both me-
were lltcu III Tdui NoN""e
OF workers.
Capt. Woipert is said TO have hae
| numerous interviews with Won Rintelei
| and with Capt. %Steinberg. After Vol
Rintelen's departure he conferred will
Capt. SteinberE until the latter. deeminI
IL necessary to get back TO Germany
| donned women's clothes. used "a Swis
| o. and hurried back 10 the father
land, there to command a German troop
ship.
Capt. wolpert and Capt. Bode ~er'
the recipients Of the irst bombs IN
| number Of cases. though many of tn
900 bomb, thai were manufactured b!
| the Joint work on the ship II
| the New Jersey Agriculture and Chem
| icsl Coinpauy's plant were sent in suit
| cases 10 various ports OF the country
II Ii said that these " men, VII
| their wide acquaintance along the water
| front Of Manhattan m Hoboken. wer
s,Ypposed Il fnd persons who wcul'
| plant the bombs OIL Ship. The state
| ment WAS made yesterday that mai!
| Of the Are bombs were handed to cap
! tains OF lighters carrying sugar TO tn
various shipe. and through that mean
! placed either In sugar bass or IN IN
holds Of the vessels.
Charge Made Broader.
The eight men already In custody an'
the missing Or. Scheele were assemble
under "A much broader charge than tn
one OF attempted arson, on which fou
men wer, arrested III Wednesday y"
are accused Of feloniousiy plotting I
destroy merchantmen by means OF mr.
bombs. In support of that contention
It WAS last night. the sam
| -n.I,t,E 80 Stl,,ipri. ..siI Wag found 4
r,r. Scheele's chemical plant IN Hoboker
where the containers are alleged tn hay
been tiIled with the fire explosive, as wa
found In the bomb taken out of the hol
of the Kirk Oswald in France last Ma
after a voyage from this port. Further
more. there were found yesterday !
Becker'S workshop on the Friedrich de
Crosse boxes Of sand In which. II wa
said, the filled bombs were shipped I
various points.
While Cant. Won Kleist furnished de
tails about the financing of the chem
cal plant ~ which DIR. Scheele WAS III
head and Won Kleist the superintenden
Becker. IN "A long confession made I
John c. Knox. Assistant United state
District Attorney in charge OF the ia
care. told OF thu making of metal cor
tanners. He also admitted that he turne
his finished product over to DR.. Schee'
OF Won kleist to he filled with the G,
plosive. and that he himself on severe
occasions carried the complete IN
bombs to Capt. Wolpert In Manhattan
Becker, who Was IA much moro willin
tsiker than Won Kleist, explained !
detail his Manufacture of the bombs Nv
"A period OF more than u year He sai
the first bombs were compa ratiNel
small, being only about three inch.
la l.,ntI, uttt, Z. y,nrttttny, nI Tin "a,