Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-07
ALIEN ENEMY ARRESTED
AND IS HELD FOR TRIAL
Wolfgang Berger, Bavarian, Failed
to Register, and Is Reported
to Police.
WAS ONCE HELD AS SPY
VIII Be Kept in Jail and Brought
Before United States Commission
er for Hearing on Tuesday-1'hiid
Arrest in Virginia.

Failure TO register under the select
I've draft act resulted in the arrest
yesterday afternoon of Wolfgang Ber-
ger. twenty-five years old. an alien
enemy. The arrest. probably the first
in the country for that cause, was made
by city police. Berger was turned
over to the Federal authorities and
being unable 10 furnish a hondsnan.
was sent to jail TO await a hearing
on Tuesday morning.
Berger was arrested on informa ion
supplied by men lodging NJ 10 Eas.
clay Street. where Berger has been
living for several months. lie was taken
into custody by Patrohnen r. j.
Hankey and r. {. Manoley. of the Sec
ond District. at 1925 West Grace
Street, where he had applied for work
4 painter.
Taken to the Federal Building. Ber-
ger admitted that he had not enrolled
on Tuesday. thinking that il was not
necessary for him 10 do So He claimed
10 have been born in Bavaria and to
have been in this country tor the past
four years. never attempting TO he
natural zed. From his statements he
has been in every important city i'll
the South in the last year. remaining
in each only a few weeks. When ar
rested he was poorly clothed hut $3.50
was found in his pockets. No letters
or other writing was found on his
person.
ONCE HELD AS spy
By NEWPORT NEWS POLICE
United States Commissioner Fles-
enheimer ordered Berger held At the
Aenrito Coutny Jail for trial on Tues
day MORNING at 10 o'clock after fixing
hail al $500. The warrant served on
Berger charged that he did ''unlaw-
fully and willfully fail ana refuse 10
present himself for registration or TO
submit thereto as provided by law"
Berger ran afoul OF Federal authori-
ties earlier this year, being held at
Newport News for some time on sus-
pic!on OF being German spy In
this out.
He was taken into custody after he
had displayed marked interest in n,u-
milton shipments destined TO the allied
armies Requests for an explanation
OF his presence around one of the Ches-
apeake and Ohio Railway piers at New
port News failing 10 bring a satisfac-
tory response, a shin Waterman took
Berger in charge and turned him over
20 the immigration authorities.
At that time ne claimed 10 he sea
man. and stated that he deserted from
p German ship In New York.
NO GUILTY MAN WILL
HAVE CHANCE TO ESCAPE
While the arrest o: Berger was the
only one made during the day, others
are expected 20 lp--0H QUICKLY. aC.Ee !.
state and city authorities Will prosecute
The search FOR violators Of ,he regis
ration law vigorously and no EFFORT
viii be spared 10 bring them 20 justice.
Wherr there i any suspicion. police
VIII promptly investigate It is the
intention OF the government 20 Let no
guilty men escape. and those sent 10
Jail for failing TO register viii be en-
rolled in spite of themselves.
The arrest Of Berger was the sac
ono in Richmond and the third in Iir-
ginia on Registration bay aaf Eester-
day. The first arres; was that q John
i. l-itz q Coeburn. wealthy lumber
man, who is charged with cursinE the
President. the administration and the
Tag. Litz was member of the House
OF Delegates from Wise County in 1910,
heins elected on the Republican ticket
lie Is ra'ed as millionaire and is
recognized for his philan,nroDy
The other Richmond arrest was
made on Tuesday when Israel Gerson.
native born Russian, bu, an American
citizen, was taken into custody after.
ne had registered for the second time.
He Is being held on $500 bona for =
hearing before Commissioner irl.ccn-
heimer on Wednesday morning