New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13
.asion of Germany's rights and an un-

vasion Of Germany's rights and an un-
friendly act.
German ships have never been
searched before by this government.
Only the word of their commanders
that no explosives were aboard was re-
ceived by the United States. Author,
ties OF this government, however, feel
that they can no longer place any faith
in the word Of the German ofhcers'
No one expects for moment that the
Teuton commanders will consent 70
search Of their vessels. An omeeI
aboard one Of the raiders IS reported
TO have voiced this threat;
Let the Yankees try 70 searcn on.
ships. We will throw them overheard.
IL is thought that the search OF the
ships will serve 10 better lh'erPIcs
certain documents and drawings iouhu
by Secret Service men IN the rlscheI
home. in Germantown. Papers iouhI
re- said 10 reveal that Schultz and
Koerting exercised great care 10 keep
rone but Germans i'm positions of au-
thority in the company. LCuls Doel-
ling. the vice president, and a relative
Of Fischer, is in charge OF the Ne"
York office. lie lives in New Rochelle.
II is also said that documents are re-
vealed that in their anxiety TO land
contracts on United States navy SHIPS
the firm sometimes submitted rydlcu-
lousy low bids.
Struggled ChronOmcters Examined
Fifteen ships chronometers. worth
$500 each. found in the Fischer home,
have been identified as instruments
smuggled from the Prinz Eitel. The
least sinister of several purposes
other than keeping time which they
might have been intended TO serve, rs
that of bearing cipher messages. Gov
eminent experts, familiar with tire
secret codes Of foreign powers are
scrutinizing the instruments. II IS
said that one Of Germany's most IN
scrutable ciphers is constructed on the
face Of clock.
Mrs. Helene Fischer. the wife of the
German army reserve othcer wro
makes machinery for United States
warships, is said TO have played an
active role in smuggling things of ana
on the interned ships. In this con-
nection. the bride of an officer of one
of the German boats also is beng
sought. She is a Philadelphia girl
and married the German last fall.
Made Friends with Officers
When the two herman SledIutIc were
brought to this port Fischer and his
wife Immediately established the
friendliest relations with the officers
on board. The manufacturer also
found time to interest himself in the
various branches of German propa-
ganda He was active in the move
ment which tried to place ban on mu-
milton shipments to the Allies. and
more recently he espoused the paciiist
cause.
During the winter the Fischer auto
mobile was frequent sight In the
navy yard. Before Won Bernstorff left
Fischer even had the privilege of issu-
ing passes TO friends who wished 10
visit the German boats. But the rup-
ture of diplomatic relations with Ger
many changed that. The big red Flsch-
or automobile was barred from League
Island. But Mrs Fischer found an
other way TO send potatoes and cakes
and German liverwurst TO the exiles.
She prevailed on Mr.. Rohner to donate
the use Of one Of his grocery wagons.
This is Rohner's only connection with
the conspiracy, officials believe.
League Island tonight is more close
ly guarded than since the Spanish
American War. SenIries dot the wall
which incloses the navy yard, and this
grim admonition frowns on observers
from the main gate: