New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-08
139 Indicted for
Hindu Revolt Plot
In San Francisco

San Francisco, July f.-LHeWy agents
were sent TO China and Japan 70 at
tempt to bribe the press OF those ma
tions and 10 procure secret treaties be-
tween the German Empire and those
governments in aid of the Hindu revo-
lutionary plots, in connection with
which 139 indictments were returned
to-day, according to statement made
tonight by John ". Preston, United
States District Attorney.
Preparations for war with England
were being made in the United States
by German agents and Hindu agitators
more than a year prior 70 the out
break OF the European war, according
TO Mr.. Preston.
The 1879 indictments were filed in the
United States Court here to-day In
connection with violations of Ameri-
can neutrality. Two separate sets Of
indictments were eturned-ninety-
eight bearing On a worldwide plot to
foment revolution in India, and forty
one on the so-called steamship Sacra-
mento case, in which it is charged an
effort was made TO provision German
warships at sea. Several Of the de-
PENDANTS are mentioned in each act Of
indictments.
The so-called Hindu revolution plot
was summarized in a statement by
Preston. in which he says:
zone hundred and five men are in
volved. Ninety eight have been indict-
cd and seven named as co-conspirators.
About one-half of this number are at
present without the Jurisdiction Of the
United States.
Preparing for War
"For more than year prior TO the
outbreak of the European war certain
Hindus in San Francisco and German
agents were preparing openly for war
with England. At the outbreak of the
war Hindu leaders, members OF the
German Consulate here and attaches OF
the German government began TO form
plans 10 carry out a conspiracy to In
cite revolution in India for the two
fold purpose of attempting to free
India and aid the Germans in their
military operations.
"Hindus on the Pacific Coast were
canvassed and those willing TO take
part in the revolution were registered.
Tmissaries were financed by the Ger
man agents here and Immediately dis
matched TO Germany. Shortly there
after. what Is known as the India COM
mittee. an adjunct of the German For
eign Office. was created in Berlin.
Among them was Har Dayal, a fugitive
from the United States in 1914. This
India committee has the personal at
tention Of Alfred Zimmerman.
Directed from Berlin
Thereafter the operations of the
plotters in the United States were dl-
rected from Berlin and the finances
were sent from the same source. The
conspiracy took the form of various
military enterprises. Arms and am
munition in large quantities were pur-
chased with German money Men were
recruited and sent to India. Military
expeditions were organized TO be car
ried on from America and Siam. Arms
and ammunition were Struggled
through China and Japan.
"The whole conspiracy was a we'll
defined effort to create revo luton In
India for the purpose of forcing Eng
land to maintain large bodies of troops
in India that otherwise would have
been for use against Germany on the
battle front. The evidence presents
an amazing display of intrigue at the
expense Of the laws and hospitality OF
the United States"
Alfred Zimmerman, referred to in
Preston's statement, is Foreign Secre-
tary Of Germany Names Of those in
dicted in the Hindu plot case are on
the secret file of the United States
Court.