The Washington times., 1917-04-09
GERMAN OFFICER
ONGELIVED HERE
Lieut.. Col. Piorkowski, Taken in
New York, Known to Officers
As Artillery Expert.

Lieut. Col. Arthur Z. Piorkowski,
of the German army, who was called
before the FederaI authorities in
New York on Saturday, but who was
released later under the custody OF
Justice Hotchkiss, OF the supreme
court for many years has been re-
garded by leading officers of the
United States army and navy as one
Of the foremost living authorities on
modern artillery development.
For several years Colonel Piorkow-
ski lived in Washington, and was
member of the Metropolitan Club. He
has resided in the United States for
the greater part of the last twenty
years, and until about 1910 was the
representative in the United States
of the Krupp Works, at Essen, Ger
many. Owing to advanced age and
declining health Colonel Piorkowski
was compelled, it is said to give up
his connections with the Krupp estab-
lishment and until the breaking out
of the war in 1914 lived on his pay
as q retired officer of the German
army.
Received Iron Cross.
Colonel Piorkowski was born in
Leipsic and at an early age was
graduated from the university Of that
city. Almost Immediately after grad
uation he entered the Saxon army, in
the artillery branch, and in that arm
of the service fought at Sadowa- Fol
lowing the close OF the Austro-Prus-
sian war the Saxon army was absorb
ed in the general German establish
ment, but the Saxon army maintained
its integrity as a distinct unit.
Piorkowski was a lieutenant when
the Franco-Prussian war broke out,
and at Gravellotte received the Iron
Cross for distinguished service.
After serving the Krupps in China
and Japan, Captain Pinkowsld was sent
to the United States with the object Of
for the sale of Krupp ma
terial to the American government His
duties in that connection were distinct
from the commercial department organ
lied here by Krupp representatives and
which latter had to do with the sale Of
Krupp steel 1t was during that period
Of service in the United States that Cap
tain Pinkowsh came in contact with
the leading army and navy officers of
the country and 1t was through him
LndL many OulCeTS OF tne TWO SeTNlCcS
had opportunity to see the Rrupp works. |
Views Sought By onIeers.
His views on military developments |
we're greatly sought by leading officers |
of the service, and he was a liberal con-
on technical subjects to the
United States Military Journal. pub
ished at Fort Monroe.
The failure of Captain Pinkowski TO |
BRING about the purchase of Krupp |
by the United States is said |
'y his friends to have been a great |
to him, but, notwith-
he was retained in America /
Is a representative OF Krupp until his
health and advancing years made 1t |
impossible for him to continue active
york. He undertook, however,, 70 re-
'ort on worthwhile patents, and in
crested himself in the introduction
4 lifeline firing guns. On the out
reak OF the war, in 1914. he offered
lis services, IT is said. to the German
and asked that he be as
igned to whatever duty his physical
ondition would permit of. As a re-
ired officer he has been advanced m
ank to major. and finally to Iieuten-
mt colonel. He is seventy-nine years
Id.