New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-09
Of
Germans Saw
Troops Sail
Spies Had Ample Opportu.
nifty to Learn Govern
ment's Plans

U-boat commanders probably learned
of the sailing of the transports.
Men with German names are still en-
ployed on and about the piers from
which the transports sailed. Most of
these men are former employees of the
Hamburg American Line, whose off,
cials and employees almost to a man
were in the Kaiser's secret service.
One of these men. who holds a trust
ed position, is a relative of a German
who pleaded guilty to charge of con-
spring to smuggle supplies into Ger
many. He is also a crony of Captain
Charles Won Kleist, who, although a
naturalized American and a resident of
this country for thirty-fve years, par
ticipated in the plot to destroy Allied
shipping by means of fire bombs when
ordered by one of Captain Franz Won
Papen's Prussian underlings.
One Of the watchmen on these piers is
a former employe of the Hamburg
American Line. The gardener is a nat
uralized German, formerly employed by
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Line. One of
the telephone operators is the son Of
an official of German steamship line.
Tug Crew Knew Plans
The German crew Of one of the
Hamburg-American Line tugboats is
still kept on the vessel, and was on it
when il was plying between the trans
ports laden with American troops be-
fore they left.
The German members of this tugboat
crew knew days in advance that the
troops would embark, where they would
sail from and when they would sail.
"Let us assume" said a high Federal
offica, yesterday, "that all of these men
of German extraction or German birth,
and all either native born or natural
lied Americans, who are still employed
here, are loyal to the United States, as
they profess. What is more natural
than that one or more of them should
talk about the movement of troops over
a seidel of beer with some Prussian
acquaintance or relative? And what is
more natural than that this Prussar
should take advantage of our uncen-
sored cables and convey the informa-
tion to a German spy abroad? The sit
uation is almost incredible"
AS published exclusively in The
Tribune yesterday, one of the Germans
formerly employed by the Hamburg
American Line, and who was employed
on and about the transports which
were later attacked by U-boats, is sus-
pected Of having revealed the informa-
tion that resulted in the U-boat attack.
Fourteen of these former Hamburg
American Line employees, exclusive of
the tugboat crew, are employed about
the piers from which the American
troops embarked.
Assured OF Loyalty"
The quartermaster's department Of
the United States Army, which employs
these men, has no choice but to employ
them. Said a Federal official to-day:
"This is not the doings of the army.
1t is up to the marine superintendent.
There is no question but that there
should be a wedding out. But the
higher authorities were assured by
some of these Germans, whom ! would
not employ willingly, of their loyalty,
and so they are here"
Other Federal officials admitted that
three we'll dressed Germans were found
lurking late at night, shortly after the
transports sailed, within the rallied in
closure surrounding the piers.
A sentry challenged them. They
halted. When searched, each was
found 10 have a pass such as was
issued to the longshoremen employed
i'm making ready the transports: 1t
was through the medium of these
passes they passed the sentries at the
gates.
The three were taken before the
commanding officer. 1t was obvious
they were not longshoremen. When
asked where they obtained the passes
they said they were given to them by
longshoremen in German saloon.
The three were ordered to the guard.
house. but since there was no proof
they we're spying and since there was
10 regulation governing the misuse oi
the passes, they were eventually al
lowed TO 20 their way.
Army officers here criticise the man
ner in which the longshoremen were
employed hundreds OF them Germans
when the transports were getting
ready 10 leave.
Longshoremen were needed at the
time. and needed badly. Tom, Jim,
lack Hans and Heinie were engaged
for work as they presented themselves;
No investigation was made OF any or
them. How many German spies, actu-
ally engaged in spy work by the agents
of the Kaiser here, were disguised a.
longshoremen is a matter OF specula-
tion.
Since the troops left this port there
have been four false alarms OF hre
turned in from the piers where the
transports were moored. The belief
IL that some German has been tamper-
ing with the wires.
German Torpedo Boat
L. M:o