Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-26
SPY SYSTEM TELLS
Of j. S. FL0T|LLA
Berlin Knows of Sailing of De-
stroyers Four Days Before
They Reach Queenstown.
MINES PLANTED IN HARBOR
Startling Information of German
Activities Comes in Cable
gram From Sims.
MINES PLANTED IN HARBOR
tBy Associated prcs..1

WASHINGTON. May 25.-Four days
before the American destroyer fotiIla
arrived abroad. Rerliu knew 4, was on
the way and to what port it was going.
and the day before the little vessels
steamed into Queenstown. the Germans
had Strcwn mines about the harbor en-
trance.
The startling information. revealing
that German spies not only still arc al
their work in this country, but that
they have swift and sure means or
communicating Americas war secrets
to the Fathcrland came TO the Navy
Department to-day in "A cabicrram from
Rear Admiral Sims at London
Tho admiral said his information was
positive. His dispatch was not made
public. and for obvious reasons nothing
vii! bc given qut concerning how tho
news came into his possession. nor
about tho precautions which defeated
the German plans and enabled the 10
tilla TO speed safely through the minc
fields
Immediate publicity was given tho
salient fact. however. the department
making it clear that it's purpose WAS
to lc, the people know of the activity
and success of Tcutonic spies. and 10
emphasize the necessity for absolute
secrecy in connection with naval opera
tons or shipping movements.
The destroycrs now aiding in the
hunt for submarines In European
waters under the direction of Admiral
Sims. put into port at Queenstown on
May 10. How long they were i'm cross
ing tho Atlantic 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
decision to send warships to Europe,
OFFICIALS REFUSE COMMENT
on MEANS or SENDING NEWS
No official would comment tonight
on the possible means by which the
news was conveyed TO Germany. II
It did not 20 from secret wireless
plant i, must have been carried in
some code dispatch that the allied cable
ccnsors passed innocent.
The result will be to rcdoublc the,
vigilance both OF the ccnsors and of
every agency Of the government en-
gaced il roofing out the spy systom.
Every German known to have been
connected with the espionage work Of
or under surveillance. Other arrests
may follow at any time, and now that
the country is az war and the rcaliza-
ton of its secrets may mean death to
its sailors and soldiers. swift punish
mcnt undoubtcdly Will be dealt out 10
any convicted spy. Men now in GUS
tody operated when the United States
was a neutral. Spying now is very
81, 4
TO the Sallows instead of the COM
Portable detention quarters.
In announcing Admiral Sims's dis
patch. the Navy department, through
the committee on public information.
said:
Tho department calls attention to
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 opera
tions The premature publication Of
ship movements is particularly "A source
Of danger.
DANIELS DENIES Loss
OF AMERICAN VESSELS
y categorical dcniar that any Amer
lean naval vessels have been sunk in
the war Was issued tonight by Secre-
tary Daniels to counteract Campaign
OF vicious rumors that Is being carried
on so industriously by persons nm
known" II was the first official notice
TO he taken OF food Of reports or
naval disasters that started almost as
soon as il was known that American
dcstroyers were in the war zonc.
1T is with deep regret" the sccre-
tary said in formal statement that,
note the daily stream Of false reports
with regard to the sinking of American
ships. BROKERAGE wires arc a particu-
lar source OF these baseless rumors that
cannot but be the cause or needless
distress to every true American as we'll
as to the mothers and fathers Of the
nation who have sons at sea.
The department has given repeated
assurance that its policy is to he one
OF absolute frankness with respect to
disaster. IT il should be that ships
are sunk. full information will be
given out officially and quickly
Although only in remote cases have
the sensational rumors found their way
into print. their distribution has been
widespread and i'm some cases their
influence has been marked by wide
fluctuations in grain. cotton and stock
exchanges. The Washington corre-
spondents and news services have hpd
innumcrable queries about reported
disasters 10 one or another destroyer
nr battlcShin. and one rumor widely
circulated told OF a mythical engage
ment of lIelgoland. in which large
numher Of American ships were sup
"ne"d 20 have been lost
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