The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-09
In Strategic Position to Cut OFF
n. Y. Water Supply.
ALSO COMMANDS WEST POINT
Another Alleged Spy Arrested
Today in Los Angeles.
Wanted in Connection With
Plot to Blast Welland Canal.

German plot hunters of the New York
police department. who worked on the
Won Papen, Won Igel, Fay and other
bomb cases, will tell the federal grand
jury today the revelations that led to
the arrest of DR.. Chandra Chakia-
berty and DR.. Ernest Sc Kunna,
charged with conspiracy to start a
revolution in India.
An effort will be made today to sup
ply cash bail for the two men under
arrest. the National Surety company
having surrendered them for patrio-
tic reasons.
The two detectives were expected to
have something to say regarding the
purchase of a large tract of land by
Sckunna near West Point. The dis
cOvery of this purchase and subse-
Quent statements by the imprisoned
German, have revived again in New
York stories from Belgium, France
and England regarding gun emplace-
ments found on factory sites owned by
persons of German birth and of con-
tie foundations found to be adapted
for heavy artillery. The tract is with
in striking distance of the Catskills,
source of New Yorks water supply
and is but few miles from the Asho
kan reservoir.
Federal agents are said to have
placed great significance on this pur
it might have been the intention of
the plotters to ship arms and ammu-
milton there for the use of an alien
force now living in the United States.
Believe Spy Suspect Was Sc Kunna.
Newburgh. n. Y, March 9.-The
police here today are investigating re-
ports that DR.. Ernst Matthias Sc Kun
ma, who is held in New York City as
a German plotter. is the man for
whom they started a search February
%, in the belief. that heeesvus-impli-
Gated in scheme to damage the New
York aqueduct near this city.
On February 25. County Judge A.
H. F. Seeger of this city, himself
Germantown, reported at police head
quarters that he had given a ride in
his sleigh to a stranger whom he be-
lieved a German spy. Judge Seeger
said the stranger questioned him
closely about the route of the New
York aqueduct thru this section and
the number of national guardsmen
patrolling it.
Bought Tract for Bungalow Sites.
The stranger insisted on leaving
Judge Seeger before he could be
steered to police headquar
tiers. The two hundred ace tract of
land in Duchess county purchased by
Sc Kunna for bungalow sites is sit
uated south of Beacon, opposite this
city an eminence and commands
West Point. Sc kunna is known &c
nave Deen IN beacon feDTuary 20, IN
connection with the purchase of the
tract.
Arrest German Naval Officer.
Los Angeles. March Captain AL
fred Fritzen, said to be a German
naval officer, was arrested at Hart
wood, near here late last night by E.
NJ. Blanford, special agent of the de-
partment of justice, and held in the
city Jail on suspicion of felony. The
authorities said he was wanted in con-
nection the alleged plot to destroy the
Welland canal.
Charge Absurd Says Fritzen.
Captain Fritzen talked freely after
few hours in Jail. 1T is absurd
he said, referring to the charge
against him. Altho he worked on a
ranch several months Captain F'ritzen
said he had plenty of money and could
get more at any time. Il am not sup
piled however, by the German govern
ment," he said. My people in Ger
many are wealthy. AS to bail I can
furnish $4,000 or $4,000 or any sum
within reason. 1 will not fight extra
dition. 1 have no fear of a trial..
Captain F'ritzen said he was an Of
ficer in the German navy for 20 years.
He was on 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 declared.
Il tried to get back to Germany to
ight for the F'atherland," he added,
! but I could not do it.
Was in Havana.
He went to Havana a few weeks
later, ne said, because the feeling even
at that time in New York was strong
against Germany. Il learned that
government officers had been follow
ing me-
Soon, he said, he returned to the
United States, went to New Orleans, +
then came to Los Angeles. Later he
went back east and to Cuba, from
there to Vera Cruz in an attempt to
reach Mexico City, but failing, return
ed here January 10.
He then went to San Diego, and 20
Tia Juana. Lower California in an
other attempt to get to Mexico City.
Again failing to find means of trans
portation, he returned here. He de-
MED acquaintance with other Germans
/ implicated in the Welland canal plot
or with any German officials except
The consuls to whom he reported on