Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-05-26
us. PLANS TIPPED
BY GERMAN SPIES
TeutOnS Had Full Infor-
nation of Sending of
Fleet to Europe.
LAID MINES FOR SHIPS
Destroyers Luckily Picked
Way Thru Maze of
Ambushed Water.
HARSH STEPS TO BE TAKEN
Death on Gallows Threatened
If Informers Caught; Watch
Cables Closely.
HARSH STEPS TO BE TAKEN

WASHINGTON. May 2i.-FOur
days before the American de-
stroycr flotilla arrived abroad
Berlin knew il was on the way
and to what port ii was going
and the day before the little ycs-
sells steamed into Queenstown
German submarines had strewn
mines about the harbor entrance.
This startling information. re-
vcaling that German spies not
only still are at their work in this
country. but that they have
swift and sure means of Commu-
nicating Americas war secrets
to the fathcrland. came to the
navy department today in cable
gram from Rear Admiral sims
at London.
ADMIRAL CONVINCED.
The admiral said his information
was positive. His dispatch was not
made public and for obvious reasons
nothing will be given out concerning
how the news came into his posses
sion nor about the precautions which
defeated the German plans and en-
abled the flotilla to speed safely thru
the mine fields.
Immediate publicity was given the
salient fact, however. the department
making clear that its purpose was to
let the people know Of the activity
and success of Teuton spies and to
emphasize the necessity for absolute
secrecy in connection with naval oper-
ations or shipping movements. The
destroyers now aiding in the hunt for
submarines in European waters un-
der the direction of Admiral Sims, pu'
into port at Queenstown May l6 How
long they were in crossing the At
lantic or from what port they sailed
never has been announced and until
word of their arrival came by cable
only a few people in the United States
even knew of the governments deci-
sion to send warships to Europe.
No Comment Given.
No official would comment tonight
on the possible means by which the
news was conveyed to Germany. If
it did not go from secret wireless
piant il must have been carried in
some dispatch that the allied cable
censor passed as innocent.
The result Will be to redouble the
vigilance Of the censors and of every
agency of the government engaged
in roofing ont the spy system. Every
German known to have been connect
ed with the espionage work of his
government already is under arrest or
under surveillance. other arrests may
follow at any time, and now that the
country is at war and the revelation
of its secrets may mean death to its
sailors and soldiers, swift punishment
undoubtedly will be dealt out TO con-
victed spies.
The Gallows Mentioned
Men now in custody operated when
the United States was neutral. Spy
ing now is a very different thing and
is likely to lead to the gallows in
stead of to comfortable detention
quarters.
In announcing Admiral Sims dis
patch the navy department, thru the
committee on public information
said:
THE department calls attention T.
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 operations. The premature
publication of ship movements is par
ticularly a source of danger"