New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Writer and Artist
Are Interned Here
AS Enemy Aliens
Merkel, Heidelberg Gradu-
ate, and Won Stengel Sent
TO Ellis Island
Warning to Germans
Interned Men Carried on
Propaganda After U. 5.
Entered War

Otto julius Merkel. a graduate OF the
University OF Heidelberg and Ger
man literary propaganda, and Hans
Won Stengel. one Of the cartoonists VINO
came here from Germany shortly after
the war began to carry on German
pictorial propaganda, were interned
yesterday on Ellis Island.
Won Stcugel, one Of the artists on
"Simplicissimus," German humorous
weekly. came here plentifully supplied
with funds.
The first use he put the money to
was the publication Of satirical week
" called "The Zeppelin" This was
given over to bitter Trades in prose
and picture against the United States
and the countries which were then at
wax with Germany.
Poked Fun at President
So vitriolic was 70 that when the
United States entered the war ~
changed It's name TO the "Owl's Mirror
l"Eulenspicgel"J Il toned down its ar
ticles and pictures mostly by Won
Stengcl. II poked fun al President
Wilson and the American public, never
theiess. and in its August issue II pub
lished q cartoon whose canton read:
"There are 100000 slackers IN the
United States
The inscription unGor the cartoon,
which FhoWed q politician addressing
several Americans, read:
Gentlemen, the fact that II per cent
OF the American men OF draft age are
slackcrs shows the enthusiasm with
which the American people regard the
war"
Merkel who managed 10 get his pro- .
German contributions into some New
\ FORK papers as late ds last month, was
secretary OF the German University
League, which carried on propaganda
for the continuance of the teaching OF
German in the schools and colleges,
even after the United States entered
the war.
.derkel Had Five Addresses Here
Among the various addresses which F.
he police say were used by Merhel III
carrying on his propaganda WORK vas
12j Fifth Avenue. That is also 'he
address Of the Civic Club, OF 0hlcn
Nerkel was secretary until his resig,
nation, which came when the ohlted
States entered the war. In az, the
police say Merkel used i've different
addresses in the city His home seemed
10 be 81 Madison Avenue when ne
wasn't stopping either at me hotei
ALGONQUIN. on West Forty-f5urth
street, or the Hotel La Marquisc. at
- East Eleventh Street. There was
also an address at 4l Wall Street
From, correspondence seized by the
,olice the names Of thirty men. de-
.cribed rs among the most prominent
literary men Of America. were found.
A., seemingly had obtained and used
oaterial from Merkel. either IN lect-
Tres or magazine articles.
Tho police were particularly inter
sted in Merkels wardrobe. Bcsiies
h least 100 handsome suits Of cloth
no there was one complete outfit,
,orn. torn and believed, they say, 20
ave been used as q disguise. In ar
.ouncing the arrest Of Merkel the
,olice made no effort 10 conceal the
act that they considered it extremely
ard stated that three moro
n the same connection would soon be
lade. ,a
Stenqel Born in United States
Stengel was born in this country, but
vas taken TO Germany by his parents
While still an infant. Commenting on
he internments. John c. Knox. Assist
mt United States Attorney, said yes
Lerdayi
"This ought TO serve as warning
TO all enemy aliens that the United
States is not the place just now for
them TO carry on propaganda. IT is
true that these men, so far as we
know. did nothing but carrying on 1
purely literary and pictorial propa-
oanda. But it is not for enemy aliens !
resident here TO enter into the merits |
Of this war"
United States Marshal Mccarthy an |
nounced last nisht that. beginning not |
later than Monday, oil persons enter
ing piers will have to show identified
ton cards, which will be issued by
Byron G.. Newton. Collector of the Port.
There was a conference yesterday at
Mr.. Newton's office by Marshals Nc
Car;hy and Power and Majors Kilduff
and Marston, representing the War
It was decided to place
fourth strip of New York's waterfront
under military guard. This section,
the New York Dock Company's prop.
ertv from Furman Street to Atlantic
Avenue, Brooklyn, will be guarded, be-
ginning this morning at o'clock, by
regulars.
Lodging House Head Accused
Following the arrest yesterday OF
three German reseryists In the Munich
pal Lodging House. which is within the
barred zone. Lieutenant II. ". Schles-
niger demanded from Acting Mayor
Frank J.. Bowling the immediate re-
moval Of Stewart a. Rice, superin-
tendent Of the lodging house. The
three prisoners were sent 80 Ellis ISL
and. One Of them had worked on piers.
Lieutenant Schlesinger told me-
said Mr. Bowling. that Rice was en-
PERTAINING enemy aliens in the Mu-
nicipal Lodging House, which is with
I'm the barred zone for enemy aliens;
also, that cvaders of the draft arc
given nightly refuge there. lie also
charged Rice with being a paciiist. |
told him to prefer his charges in writ
ing, which he said he would do a.
once. II what Lieutenant Schlesinger
says is true / will ask Commissioner
Of Charities Kingsbury 70 remove
Rice forthwith"
Mr. Rice denied that he had harbored
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