New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-25
Igel's Cipher Key to
Notes Being Sent
to Embassy.
u. S. FINDS RIGHT
TO KEEP PAPERS
DoCumentsNot
SaCred-Wall St. Office
Was Not Immune.

code BOOK containing the secret
cipher used by Ambassador Won Bern
storf and his aids in this country has
been found by agents Of the Deart-
ment Of Justice among the mass o.
German propaganda documents taken
in the Offices Of Wolfe Won lgel, at 90
Wall Street. on April rs.
Agents of the Department Of Justice
who raided the German agents place
consider this a most fortunate occur
rence. as the book may clear up mass
Of cipher correspondence carried ON b.
Won Bernstorff. Won Igel, Won Papen and
Boy-Ed.
Officials Studying Code.
documents and letters in cipher,
communications between Won Bern
s+orF and his agents outside the en-
bassy were discovered in the various
nsckaqes taken from Won Igel's room.
They we're practically worthless from
.r ;r.,iminating viewpoint. as neither
the State Department nor the Depart
on+ n Justice was able to interpret
their meaning.
Won Igel's inability to trust his mem
orv in deciphering messages from 'he
embassy has proved his undoing. Inc
oode namphlet. which should have been
seouestered, was packed up with the
bulk of the paper he was preparing 10
send TO Washington when the raiders
hroke into his Office. Department oil
Justice officials are nov at WORK with
the code, seeking 10 ascertain II Won
Bernstorff has been participating IN
directing propaganda. This inquiry
has been the chief reason why the AT
torney General has hesitated to sur
render the Won Igel papers to the Ger
man Embassy.
PAPERS on Japan Issue FounJ.
Much may depend on what decipher-
ing the code reveals. 1t was even hint-
ed Yesterday that the Department OF
Justice had found authority and prece-
dent for the prosecution of an ambas-
sador when it had been proved that ne
had used his Office for conspiracy or
sinister purposes against the country
TO which he had been accredited.
Among the important documents OF
the Won Igel collection were several
communications between Won Papen and
German agents in Japan. The exact
nature of tho exchanges has not been
disclosed. but IL is said to relate to
schemes for promulgating feeling OF
hatred for the United States among
certain factions of the people Of Nip
non with the expectation of bringing
about q further amaigamation OF Mex
lean and Japanese interests.
Whatever may be the outcome OF the
ron lgel controversy between the State
nenartment and The Department OF JUS
,;ca II. Snowden Marshall. United
States attorney for this district. has
.rump card that may enable this gov
crnment to hold with impunity the
mass Of alleged incriminating docu-
r,onts seized in Won Igel's Office.
Won Igers Lease Obtained.
I. became known yesterday that Mr.
Marshall had a photographic copy oi
the lease procured by Won Igel and
signed by him on June "a. 1915 renting
Room 25Ol at go Wall Street. This
document was offered TO the prosecutor
nv Arthur A. Hassell, an employe OF
ceorge X. Read g. Co, of 30 Nassau
Street who had charge OF the renting
- ,be building at 60 Wsil Street.
Mr. Hassell explained that the com
many was exceedingly careful IN max
Inc leases with prospective tenants as
The building was high class and re.
stricted 10 the use of persons engaged
in legitimate business.
Careful inquiry was made into the
character Of applicants for leasehold
ard references were carefully investi-
@ated Mr. Hassel said. It was this
Serv scrutiny that made the agents
hesitate TO rent Room 250l TO Won lgel.
The German agent, who now pro-
fesses TO be attached TO the German
Embassy, told Mr. Hassell that he
usnted the Office exclusively for ad-
ver,ising purposes; that his business
was whollyathat Of an advertising man
Continued on page ?. column