Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-06-01
GERMANS WARNED
Of j. s. PLANS;
NINE FLEET BASE
Spies Being Hunted by the Navy
Department.
GREATER SECRECY is URGED
News of Departure of American Fleet
to War Zone Believed to Have
Been Sent Through Mexico
or South America.

Washington, May 26.-The German
spy system is in operation within the
United States army and fleet. Not only
are spies obtaining information they
want in this country, but they are able
to get it to Berlin in time for German
submarines to menace American war
ships and soldiers on the seas.
This was admitted by the navy de-
partment. Secretary Daniels announced
that word of the sailing of an Ameri-
can destroyer f1otilla for Europe had
been wired ahead to Germany and that
German submarines had succeeded in
scattering mines at the entrance of the
harbor for which the American war
ships were bound.
Two Sources Suspected.
Information involving even the des-
tination of the destroyer fleet could
have come only from two sources-the
navy department or the fleet. That
the German espionage system could
have extended its tentacles into the
very heart of the naval establishment
has been shock to officials.
The following statement was issued:
For days before the arrival of the
American destroyer fleet abroad Ber-
lin knew that the vessels were on the
way and to what port they were going,
according to advices from Admiral
Sims.
''He reports that he has positive in
formation that Germany was thus in
formed in advance, and sufficiently far
| in advance that the port of entrance
| of the destroyers was mined the day
| previous to their arrival.
Greater Secrecy Urged.
"The department calls attention to
this fact as proof that the German spy
| system is still at work in this country,
making imperative the need of secrecy
in connection with our naval opera
tions. The premature publication of
ship movements is particularly a
source of danger.
'"The department, while realizing
that the newspapers did not give this
information, would be pleased if the
| fact were brought to the attention of
editors by way of showing what ex.
treme care is required in shielding
military information from the enemy
whether it becomes public through the
press or otherwise.
"The fact that the information
reached Germany with little or no de
lay is expected to result in a thorough
investigation of the navy censorship
Only two methods were open to Ger
man operatives in sending the informa
ton home-wireless and cable. Boil
are under naval control. There arr
only two wireless stations in this coun
try from which the message could havt
been sent-Sayville and Tuckerton.
"It is quite impossible, in the viev
of officials, that the message coult
have gone over either the British O
French cables, the only other con
struction being open that it wen
first to Mexico or South Americi
and then was relayed by wireless
Dispatches from Buenos Aires tol,
of the erection of a new German
wireless station there.
''The navy, however, also has estat
lished a censorship over cables t
the South and issued strict regula
tions for their commercial use.
"The source of the leak however
will cause the deepest probe. 1t wa
ton of war that six persons sus
pected of spying had been discovere
in the state, war and navy builG
ing"
U. S. Officials Alarmed.
Gratifying as is the failure of th
Germans to sink or damage tn
American destroyers, their advanc
knowledge that the vessels were con
ing and of the exact destination of tn
craft is a matter that has cause
great alarm in official circles.
If the Geramns could learn so ea
lily the truth regarding the destro,
ers, it is apparent that it will be ju:
as easy for them to learn when MajC
General Pershing sails, and when sc
600 soldiers and marines will depar
1t will be just as easy for them I
know the route of the ships and the
destination, and, so informed, to mai
arrangements for an attempt to d
| stroy the transports, and, if successful
to drown many of the men they carr
AS soon as the first report was r
| ceived from Admiral Sims shown
: German knowledge of American pla1
an investigation was instituted.
l the several departments of the go
| and tho Cpcrpt SnrVjcp