New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-23
More than Dozen Indict.
ments Expected in Plot
Laid to Sander
PLANS REVEALED
BY WOMAN HERE
Americans Abroad InvOlv-
ed - Federal Net Nav
Trap Prominent Man

A story of German espionage invoiv-
ing Apericans who were willing to
risk death as spies in France and Eng
land for $50 a week will be unfolded
to the Federal grand jury to-day.
The proceeding will be the most
thorough that the government has vet
undertaken in plot inquiries, and it is
expected that evidence will be adj
duced showing that Albert A. Sander.
while working as a dramatic critic on a
newspaper here, was the American rep
resentative of the German Secret Ser.
vice. More than a dozen indictments
are expected before the investigation
ends.
Through records OF the American
Express Company, as we'll as b. its
employees, it will be charged that the
money Sander used in maintaining. it
IS alleged, huge spy system. not only
in this country, but in France and
England, came from Germany. by way
of Copenhagen.
Among the first witnesses who will
appear before the grand jury will be
Robert Davis, now serving a term in
Sing Sing for the alleged theft of 81
22j from Charles W. Wunnenberg,
Sanders associate and aid, and Mrs.
Ada Fisher. one-time housekeeper for
Wunnenberg.
Convict to Testify
A writ Of habeas corpus was obtained
for the appearance, before the grand
jury. Of Davis by John .. Knox, As
sistant United States District Attorney,
who has been placed in charge of the
case by United States District Attorney
Marshall.
These witnesses will tell of the let
tiers written in invisible ink. invented
by a German chemist named Aprecht.
of Danzig, which were sent by Sander
20 Germany through officers of a neu-
trail line, and of dynamite and fuses
found in a suitcase owned by Wuunnen-
berg.
Some Of the Americans that IL is
a
will also testify against him and
has admitted that Sander paid her
$50 a week TO gather information in
this country The greatest secrecy is
maintained concerning her identity.
Seven Americans. who at one time
or another were associated in some
manner with newspapers. and who are
now either in England. Holland. Den
mark or Canada, are expected 70 ar
rive here shortly. One of them. as
signed by Sander 20 gather what in
formation he could in Halifax. ia now
being sought b. British Secret Ser
vice agent5 in Canada. He eluded
them Wednesday night by suddenly
fleeing from Ottawa.
Several Make Confessions
Most of the others have voluntarily
confessed 70 what they know Of Sander
and his alleged conspiracy. The au-
thorities have made public the names
of three: George Vaux Bacon. now
prisoner in London, and Rutledge
Rutherford and Charles +. Hastings,
now in Holland. Mrs. Hastings, wife
of the last named. called on the Fed
eral authorities yesterday an told
them that her husband did not know
that he was 10 be used as a Ger
man spy until he reached Holland.
Mr.. Hastings. she said, Immediately re-
fused 10 do the work. saying that his
contract was 70 bring over war tilms
to Sander. His pay Of 800 week
was Immediately stopped and he was
stranded in Holland.
The United States Secret Service men
are searching the country for news
paper syndicate head who has been as
sociated in the past with a. prominent
American. who has been Identified with
peace propaganda. He is a friend Of
bacon. whose confession was in a large
measure responsible for the arrest Of
Sander and Wunnenberg.
The authorities are investigating
Sanders history. He is known to be
the owner of yacht, and he has al
ways lived well.