New-York tribune., 1917-12-26
Crozier Note
Helped Free
Krupp Agent
Ordnance Chief Reveals
Text of Letter in Behalf
of Tauscher
[Stdf Correspondence


WASHINGTON. Dec. %. - Major
General William Crozier, chief Of
the Bureau Of Ordnance, made pub
lie to-day the letter he wrote in be-
half of Captain Hans Tsuscher when
the latter was OIL trial in New York
charged with completely in the Well
and Canal plot. The letter. which ex-
pressed q favorable opinion as to the
defendants integrity and reliability,
is believed TO have been the principal
cause of the decision of members of
the Senate Committee on Military At
fairs to call Tauscher's former coun-
sci, Herbert Smyth. of New York, as
a witness. The letter follows:
"June 26, 1916.
"Hon. Augustus n. Hand, Judge of
the United States District Court,
New York. n. Y.
"Sir: At the request of counsel for
Captain Hans Tauscher, | write TO
say to you that | have known Captain
Tauscher for ten years or more and
that have had frequent dealings with
him on behalf of the United States
Government. During this time | have
always been impressed with the in
tegrity and reliability of his personal
character, my belief in which has
never been disturbed by anything
which has transpired between US.
should of course be willing to testify
in person to the above effect. but have
informed Captain Tauscher's counsel
that at the present time it is not pos
sble for me to be absent from my
post in Washington. Very respect
fully,
(Signed) "WILLIAM CROZTER."
The Crozier letter, according 70 the
opinion of the New York officers who
prosecuted Tauscher, had a good deal
to do with his acquttal. While ad-
dressed to Judge Augustus n. Hand, of
the United States District Court in
New York, it was transmitted through
Tauscher's lawyer, Herbert Smyth, of
Is Wall Street, who delivered it in
open court, first asking Colonel Hoffer,
one Of Crozier's subordinates, in the
presence of the jury, to identify Cen
eral Crozier's signature. This move on
the part OF Tauscher's counsel gave the
jury the impression that high officials
OF the United States government had
confidence in Tauscher.
Though the Crozier letter was ruled
out by Judge Hand, its reading had a
great deal of influence with the men
who passed on the Krupp agents COM
plicity in the German plot, officials
have stated.
Herbert Smyth, former counsel for
Hans Tauscher, American agent for the
Krupps and husband Of Johanna Cad
ski, said yesterday that he would con-
suit with Attorney General Gregory in
Washington before giving any testt-
mony before the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs concerning his former
clients relations with General Crozier
and other officers Of the Ordnance De-
partment.
Tauscher was acquitted by the Jury.
although, Mr.. Smyth said, he offered
10 plead guilty If assured that his
| punishment would consist only Of a
fine. Mr.. Smyth said that such an Of
/ FER had no bearing upon the guilt or
innocence OF his client, and was made
/ only because OF the state of public
feeling against Germany.
1T Is absolutely untrue that he
offered to confess" said Mr.. Smyth
/ yesterday. "He could not have taken
the stand in his own behalf if he had
offered 10 confess. IL would also have
been highly improper for counsel 20
have put him on the stand had he
offered TO confess. IL is true he offered
TO plead guilty if he should be let Of
with a fine, but that was for special
reason involving the danger to him as
a German, while being tried during the
state OF public feeling against those
charged with completely in the plots"
WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-The REM
( ipgton Arms Company plant at Bridge
port, Conn. and the Westing ghouse
/ Electric Company plant near Chicopee
Falls, Mass, will be utilized by the
War Department In the manufacture OF
Browning machine guns, Major General
/ William Crozier announced to-day.