Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-09
Captain Fritzen, Sought For
Nearly a Year, Arrested
In Los Angeles.
INDICTED FOR PART
IN WELLAND PLOT
Fritzsn Said to Have Been One Of
conspirators Who Sought to Destroy
Canal - Declares Charges Against
Him Are Absurd - Admits Having
Been Dodgins U. S. Officers For
Some Time.

LOS AHSeieS, MdTCu S.-Sapt' ailiSu
Fritzen, said to be German naval
officer, was arrested at Hattwood, near
here, late last night by e. NJ. Blan-
ford, special agent Of the department
of justice, and held In the city jail on
suspicion of felony. The authorities
said he was wanted in connection with
the alleged plot to destroy the Welland
canal.
The arrest was made upon orders
from Washington. Federal authorities
here said they had no knowledge OF
possible operations Of Fritzen
The arrested man was found in bed.
His only statement was What know
I can not tell now
Sought For Six Months.
Federal agents here had been on the
watch for him six months, they said.
They learned that he returned to Cali
fornla three days ago arriving at San
Diego and coming here yesterday. Sew
eral months ago he was here, it Is al
legged. under the name of Piper" He
worked for a time as farm hand, 1t
was said. At that time he was en-
ployed by Frank S. Hart, wealthy
music dealer on one of his ranches,
and so impressed the family that when
he returned yesterday he was taken
into the Hart home as a guest.
F'ritzen said he recently had been
touring Cuba. Nothing of an incrimi-
mating nature was found on F'rltzen or
in his room. An effort is being made
to locate his baggage.
Emil Roedel. formerly German con-
sular agent here. federal authorities
said, had aided Fritzen, but whether be-
cause Of nationality or for other rea-
sons was not stated.
Says Charge 10 Absurd.
Captain Fritzen talked more freely
after the few hours in jail, a place
which c9used him to express. disgust.
s'It is absurd. he said, referring to
the charge against him. He said he
was in New York City at the time OF
the attempt to wreck the Welland
canal. Altho he had not worked here
for several months he said he had
plenty Of money, "and I can get more
at any time. am not supplied by the
German government. My people are
wealthy. AS to bail I can furnish s10,-
900 or $4,000 or any reasonable sum. I
will not fight extradition. I have no
fear Of a trial I will return to New
York. It will be no worse than the
city jail"
On Leave Of Absence.
Captain Fritzen said he was an Of
ficer in the German navy for twenty
years.-He was in New York City, he
said, on leave of absence when the war
began. II tried to get back to Ger
many to fight for the fatherland,' he
edded. "but I couldn't" He went TO
Havana a few weeks later, he said, be-
cause the feeling in New York, even at
that time, was strong against Ger
many.
II learned that government officers
has been trailing me-"
Soon. he said he returned to the
United States, went to New Orleans,
then came to Los. Angeles, worked for
Mr. Hart, and then went east. thence
to, Cuba, and from there to Vera Cruz
in an attempt to reach Mexico City,
but falling he returned here JAM Is.
Later he went to San Diego and Tia
Juana, Lower California, in another
attempt to get to Mexico City. Fail
ing to find means Of transportation,
he returned here.
He denied acquaintance with other
Germans connected with the Welland
canal plot and other officials except
consuls to whom he had reported on
his travels.