The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1917-06-08
SPY SUSPECTS IN
UNCLE SANS net
TWO WIRELESS OUTFITS SHIFT.
I'D By PARTS FROM NEW
YORK To MEXICO.
EMPLOYED BY GERMANY
Arrests for Conspiring to Send Mail
to Germany Brings Out Other
Plot.

New York. June evidence that
two complete high-powered wireless
installations. assembled here from
various sourcSs, were shipped piece
meal 10 Mexico, supposedly for use
of a German spy system in this
country. was unearthcd to-day in
connection with the arrest OF three
men on charges of conspiring TO send
mail, containing military informa-
tion surreptitiously from the United
States TO Germany through members
of Norwegian ship crews.
II was intimated by the United
States Commissioner before whom the
alleged plotters were arraigned that
u was through their instrumental
ity that advance news OF the i'm
pending arrival in England of the
American destroyer feet was sent to
Germany before IL even became gen
orally known in this country that II
had sailed.
With only scratching OF the sur.
face of the mass of evidence ia the
Governments hands, indications
have been found that the secret
mail system was operated both ways
between the United States, Germany
and Mexico. Several hundred let
tiers have been seized. written in
English. German and Spanish, and
some apparently in code. They are
being translated in expectation that
they will open the way to full reyei'
ations OF the alleged spy plot which
IL said tn point 10 other. persons be-
sides those under arrest.
The prisoners are Harry A. PERISH
and Irving Bonaparte, both said 70
he born, employed by q
German electrical company here, and
Axel Il. Melcher. said TO be nat
turaIized citizen from Sweden. They
are charged with conspiring to in
duce mem ers OF the crews OF the
steamships Bergensajord and Kris
tisniafiord, both Chartered to carry
regular United States mail, to take
letters and packages from his coun-
try destined for Germany. in viola
ton OF the law prohibiting ccmpeti-
ton with the United States mail.
The maximum penalties provided
by the statutes under which he
charges are brought are $4,000 fne
and two years Imprisonment for
conspiracy. and $50 fine and six
months Imprisonment for compel
ing with the mails, but il was said
by the Government authorities that
tho Investigation would continue
with a view OF determining whether
treason had been committed.
Hints Of Treason.
When the three were arraigncd be-
fore United States Commissioned
Hitchcock bail was fixed at $4,000
for PERISH and Bonaparte and $2O,-
goo for Melcher. Upon objection by
counsel for the men to these amounts
as excessive. Commissioner Hitch
cock said: ..
"These are unusual times. and
while people OF our own country did
not even know of the departure OF
our destroyers. IL Was published four
DAYS ahead of their arrival in Eng
land in the papers in Berlin. and IL
is my understanding that the Gov
erument has In mind that this case
is part aud parcel OF the same in
Iuiry." .
He held the men In the amounts
asked for examination Wednesday
morning. That others are implicit
ed and that the men under arrest
are willing to tell all they know was
indicated by counsel for Bonaparte,
who said his client was willing To
help the Government In every way In
his power. Persist. speaking In his
own behalf, said: 81 did not start this
conspiracy mail cameto me FIRST
from others. and had nothing TO do
with the crews of the ships" The
Com m issisaer told iri1 To make no
further statement until his case came
up for hearing. II is charged by the
Government that the conspiracy be-
gan last January and that mail was