The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-08
PLOTS AGAINST |. $. BAREO BY
 INDIA INTRIGUE


 government and in ,the arrest of Dr. Chandra Chakraberry, Hindu. and Ernest Sekanna, a German chemist, the administration appears satlshed that the Secret Service has uncovered the most insidious scheme launched in this country since the expose of pr: Hinrich Albert and his widespread plans a year and a half ago.
 While it is impolitic, for obvious reasons, to present in detail the plans which the Secret Service is now work ing upon and the precise results which are expected to be accomplish ed within the next few days, the gen. eral outline of the conspiracy in which the Eindus are principally 1n- volved, may be presented.
 While the technical charge upon which the men have been held IS that of neutrality violation in having at- tempted to foment an Indian revolu- ton, using this country as base for military operations, this may be changed to a direct charge of con- spiracy against the United States gov- ernment.
 May Make Worldwide Arrests.
 The arrests in New York are the result of an investigation the Secret Service has been conducting for more than two years. If the plans of the government materialize arrests, will follow immediately in California. Oregon, Washington state, Panama. Guam and the Philippine Islands.
 When the conspiracy was originally organized, it was financed by Ger many for the purpos9 of fomentins revolutions in British possessions These plans failed for the reason that Great Britain was prepared and snuffed out the revolutions before they had reached formidable propor- tions.
 Havng failed in this plan the Ger man Government then decided to use the Hindu organization built up in this country against the United States if relations between the two Governments reached the breaking point.
 To Destroy Property Here.
 Tn line with this scheme, when the German Embassy was withdrawn, the Hindus in the United States, Panama and the other continental possessions were instructed to hold
 
 American property and to supply Ger many with information.
 Tn other words, it appears $from evidence in the possession of the Gov ernment that Germany is now financ- ing the Hindua and using them as catspaws, upon the promise that they would be well repaid by German as- sistance against Great Britain in ln- dia when the war is ended.
 More than two years ago, when Great Britain ended the Lahore revo- lution, "a far-reaching investigation secretly was made into the ramifica- tions of the plot. The British Gov ernment traced the active revolution ists to their CO workers in the United States. They were particularly on the Pacific Coast.
 These facts were laid before the State Department and the Secret Ser vice was put at work upon the cleWs furnished. For several months the secret agents were unable to find that the Hindus had actually broken any American statutes.
 The Secret Service found that most Of the money paid to the Hindus had been used in propaganda work, which is not a crime in the United States. No arms had been shipped to India and no specific net had been com mitted which could be construed as violating the laws which prohibit the use of the United States as military base for expeditions against friend ly power.
 Subsequently, the Secret Service dis covered that while the first plans d1- rected against Great Britain in India had collapsed completely, the Hindus continued to be well supplied with German money, and were kept busy in the German interest in this coun- try
 Finally the agents found that the Hindus in this country were in con- stant touch with friends in the insular and other possessions of the United States The more difficult it became for German agents to operate, the more active the Hindu correspondence between the various possessions be- came.
 Finally, when relations were severed Between Washington and Berlin, the Secret Service received evtdence which satisfied Chief Flynn and his assist ants that the Hindus had been as. S1SnGO to AuOlIlGI clIu AloiC AihkoA- tant task, which was to take up In this country the work which Bern- storff's agents found it impossible to carry out.
 Took Up Germany's Tasks.
 The administration evidence tends to show that when the Germans laid down their unfinished tasks all their assignments were given to the Hindus They were promised vast sums of money, and eventually they were as- sured that Germany would support their Indian revolution when the pres- ent war is over.
 :, Hindus are under observation in Panama, where they are supposed to have been sent for the purpose of criripling the canal in the event of hostilities with Germany. It is be- Iieyed they were hoodwinked into go- ing to the Canal Zone as a. result of promises made by the German agents, and that they received minute instructions for crippling the locks.
 Similar gangs are reported to Lave been stationed in the Philippines and other possessions. So far they have been unable to put into effect any of the plans prepared for their guidance
 The administration appears to be satisfied that the New York arrests will cause the collapse of the entire conspiracy.