New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Suspected Spy
Taken on Liner;
Had Aero Plans
Filler Thought To Be in
the Kaiser's Navy Ar
rested Here

A few hours before the Norwegian
American liner Bergensfjord sailed for
Bergen, Norway, yesterday, Edward R.
Norwood, DEPUTY Surveyor of Customs,
in charge of the searching squad, ar
rested Kasper Wrede, an aviator, be-
lieved by Federal authorities to be en-
ployed by the German imperial navy.
He asserted he was Finn, twenty
ssven years old.
Federal authorities described him as
a walking arsenal" He had in his
possession many drawings and specifi-
cations, with notations written in Ger
man, and large quantity of aeroplane
parts. In his travelling bag and in
his pockets were found 500 rounds of
Colts cartridges. A Savage automatic
pistol of .38 calibre was in his over
coat pocket.
Near Collapse When Searched
Wredc almost collapsed when he was
suddenly whisked into stateroom and
searched, but his nerve came back
presently, and he affected the bravado
he had previously exhibited when
strolling around the deck half-hour
before, witness of the examination
Of others who were about to depart on
the Bergensfjord.
Wrede was under observation the
moment he arrived at the pier. HIS
hand baggage was examined yesterday
nv the customs officials on the pier and
marked. The traveller was permitted
20 carry il aboard. Wrede started Tor
the gangplank with large leather
handbag weighing about htty pounGs.
He had evaded examination on the
r;ar but was unaware that TINS over
light was part of the programme q,
eP;gbt this way, Mr. Wrede,' said
nenptv Surveyor Heffernan, as ne LED
The astonished Finn TO stateroom'
Wrede treated the act rs a joke
when the cartridges were found IN
his nockets. Hcffernan asked for the
gun that went with them.
"YouTl probably find IL somewhere
IN nv nants." replied Wrede. Instant
lv Hcfernan jumped 20 the prisoner
overcoat, that had been thrown on inc
he'd In a special inside pocket ne
found the Savage automatic ana an
extra magazine.
Cane Is Part Of Aeroplane
In the heavily laden grip were the
plans and specifications OF aeropIahes
and about fifty parts of aeropiane
mechanism. Examination Of walking
stick that the prisoner had been car
rvinp showed that II was part oil the
motor shaft Of an aeroPlane.
When questioned about his other
baggage. Wrede confessed that he had
three pieces IN the hold and that one
of them contained an aeroplane motor
This was later produced, ana IT was
found that IL had been smuggled
aboard without examination.
The prisoner said he was on his way
20 Norway TO give exhibition flights,
but made no answer when asked why
nc had bought q pistol end ammuni-
tion.
A large quantity of personal CORE
gpondencc was also taken from Wrede,
and this will be examined to-day. After
his arrest he was taken 10 the Green
wich Street police station, in Manhat-
tan, where he displayed large roll
OF bills Of high denomination and
boasted that he had plenty Of money
in New York banks.
The Bergensfjord had been desig-
mated in safe conducts issued by the
French and British governments as the
shin which should carry sixty-eight
German and Austrian diplomats, who
are returning from their posts in
China and Central and South America.
Among them were DR.. A. Won Rosthorn,
who was Austrian Minister TO China;
Baron Won Babo and his wife. Consul
General Hubert Knipping, Vlee-Consul
Kurt Won Tippelskirseh ana Iegsuon
and consular Office attaches
while the Representatives. Of the
.nemv countries were in the city they
wers under surveillance, whieh did not
end until they were safely aboard the
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