The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-03-13
KAISER'S AID IN
US. NAVY PLOT
A. h. Fischer. German Reser-
visit. Got Plans and Data
at Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA, March l2-Startlins
revelations were made today concern
ing the navy yard plotters arrested on
the technical charge OF smuggling goods
from and TO the interned German raid
ers. Some of the facts brought on,
were:
That the firm OF Schultz & Koerting
Company, manufacturing machlnists,
Of which Adelbert X. Fischer, now un-
der arrest, was the head. is only an
American branch of one OF the largest
German marine engineering companies,
said to be located at Hamburg, Ger
many.
THAT this arm has made a spe-
cialty OF contracts for the American
navy, some under direct contract with
the Government and some as sub
contractor for American s.Iipbuilding
concerns.
THAT in this manner this German
firm has secured information about
the American navy. including plans.
specifications and blue prints concern
ing their oil burning steam plants and
the location Of oil tanks on warships
Reservist In German Army.
THAT Fischer came here only a
few years ago to take charge of the
American branch OF the German COM
pany controlled by A. Koerting. the
German iron master and his father-in-
law. and that Fischer himself is a
reserve officer in the German army.
THAT this American branch Of a
German marine engineering company,
In charge Of German reserve officer
working pu
contracts. Is equipped with machinery
which can be used for the manufac-
ture OF shells, bombs and mines
THAT the plot to snuggle chronoine-
ters ashore from the interned raiders
was engineered almost exclusively by
Ffsoher's wife. and that 1t may have
mad for It's object the equipment Of
the chronometers with wires which
would have made 1t possible TO have
used them as time clocks on sub
merged mines under the interned raid
ers to wreck them in case Of war and
their seizure by the United States.
Fischer even got representatives of his
firm on board United States naval ves-
sells on the trial trips
In the absence OF instructions from
Washington search Of the interned Ger
man commerce raiders kronprinz VIII
helm and Prince Eitel Friedrich at the
Philadelphia navy yard for explosives re.
ported TO have been smuggled to the ves-
sells from outside sources. an investigation
of which has resulted In the ayrestof five
persons, was deferred today By local
agents Of the Department OF Justice The
orders authorizing an examination OF the
ships were expected to-day, but up to a
late hour had not arrived. Additional ar
rests IN the alleged plot, which may an.
proach a status international In aspect,
are contemplated, Federal agents ad.
mitted tonight
According to naval officers al the local
yard, search Of the raiders cannot he
made without international complica.
tons arising therefrom. unless the Gov.
ernment actually seizes the ships, "and
that in Itself would be declaration Of
war"
Wants Interned Germans Removed.
WAsHINGroN. March la.-Formal re-
quest for the removal from the LEAGUE
Island Navy Yard Of the in.erned Ger
man commerce raiders Prinz E!tel
Friedrich and Kronpr!nz Wilhelm and
the 700 men comprising their crews was
made personally 10 Secretary Daniels
to-day by Mayor Smith Of Phi!adelph!a
on the ground that they constitute a
menace to the safety OF the city. The
Mayor was told that transfer of the
German crews already was under consid-
GRAFTON and that suitable place for
them was being sought. He also was
assured that every precaution was be-
ing taken by the authorities to guard
against the possibility OF any disturb
ance by the German sailors, and that
they were under constant surveillance
by the navy yard authorities.