Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-03-10
GERMAN OFFICER
Is UNDER ARREST
Captain Alfred Fritzen Locked
Up at Los Angeles on Order
from Washington.
IN WELLAND CANAL PLOT

Los Angeles, Cal, March Gap
tain Alfred Fritzen, said to be Ger
man naval officer. was arrested at
HARDWOOD, near here, late last night
by E. NJ. Blanford, special agent of
the Department of Justice, and held
in the city jail on suspicion of fell
ony. The authorities said he was
wanted in connection with the al
legged plot to destroy the Welland ca
nal. .\
The arrest was made upon orders
from Washington. Federal authori-
ties here said they had no knowledge
of other possible activities of Fritzen.
The arrested man was found in bed.
His only statement was:
What | know cannot tell"
Federal agents here have been on
the watch for him for six months,
they said. They learned that he re-
turned to California three days ago,
arriving at San Diego and coming
here yesterday Several months ago
he was here, it was alleged, under the
name OF Piper" He worked for a
time as farm hand, although his
dress and bearing were somewhat dis
tinguished. At that time he was en-
ployed by Frank S. Hart. a wealthy
music dealer, on one of his ranches
and so impressed the family that
when he returned yesterday he was
taken into the Hart home as guest.
Fritzen said he had been i'll the
United States three years. Recently,
he said, he had been touring Cuba.
No papers or anything OF an incrim-
mating nature was found on Fritzen
or in his room. Further search is be-
ing made to locate his baggage and
to establish his connections with other
persons here and to learn if he had
communicated with those previously
named in the east in connection with
the alleged Welland canal plot.
Emil Roedel, formerly German con-
sular agent here, federal authorities
said, had aided Fritzen, but whether
simply because OF his nationality or
for other reasons was not stated.
Fritzen Indicted at New York.
New York, Marcel. 9.-Alfred A.
Fritzen, arrested at HARDWOOD, Cal,
last night, was indie tel by federal
grand jury in this city on April II,
1916, in an alleged conspiracy Matched
in the United State, tc blow up the
Welland canal.
Indictments were returned at the
same time against Captain Franz Won
Papen, former military attache of the
German embassy; Wolf Won lgel, his
secretary; Captain Hans Tauscher,
agent in America Of the Krupps, and
Constantine Covani, alias Giovanni
Gonzales.
With the possible exception Of
Coyani, Fri.zen the only one OF
the alleged conspirators now in this
country, Hans Tauscher and Wolf
Won Igel are returning to Germany
with Count Won Bernstorff. The
whereabouts of Covani is not known.
Captain Fritzen talked more freely
after few hours in jail, place
which caused him to express disgust.
1T is absurd" he said, referring to
the charge against him. He said he
was in New York City at the time
OF the alleged attempt to execute the
Welland canal plot. Although he
worked on Mr.. Harris ranch several
months, Captain Fritzen said he had
plenty Of money, land, ] can get more
at any time. ! am not supplied, how
ever, by the German government. My
people in Germany are wealthy. As
to bail, | can furnish $4,000 or $780,
600, or any sum within reason. have
powerful friends.
Il will not fight extradition. have
no fear of trial am willing to re-
turn to New York. 1t can't be worse
than the city Jail"
Travels to Cuba and Mexico.
Captain Fritzen said he was an Of
ficer in the German navy for twenty
years. He was OH shore duty for
five years before the beginning Of the
war and was in New York City on a
leave OF absence when war was de-
clared. AT that time he held the rank
OF captain ON the active list, he said.
Il tried to get back to Germany
to fight for the fatherland,' he added,
but | couldn't do it.
He went to Havana few weeks
later, he said, because the feeling
even at that time in New York was
strong against Germany. i learned
that government officers had been
trailing me. He said he returned to
the United States, went to New Or
leans, then came to Los Angeles,
worked for Mr.. Hart, then went
back east, and to Cuba, from there to
Vera Cruz in an attempt to reach
Mexico City, but failing, returned
here January Is. Later he went to
San Diego and to Tia Juana, lower
California, in another attempt to get
TO Mexico City. Failing TO find means
Of transportation he returned here.
He denied acquaintance with other
Germans implicated in the Welland
plot or with German officials except
,,.os..ts - ,,bo,,, he rennrfed IN his