The Washington times., 1917-07-06
WORLDSEARCH.
FORSPYRAD|O
PLANTS PART
Of PROGRAM
CONTINUED from First Page.)
cation, and the exercise OF greater
caution all along the line.

CONTINUED from First Page.)
cation, and the exercise OF greater
caution all along the line.
German Insurance Factor.
The Cabinet today is practically
ofrced 10 consideration OF the ques-
tion whether German insurance com.
panies, now allowed by Presidential
favor to continue in business, shall be
bauished. That the leaks to Ger.
many may be traced in part to Ger.
man insurance men was broadly init
mated today by a member of the
Cabinet. Secretary Redfield.
The Secretary of Commerce has
charge OF the licensing OF wireless
stations. and, with Secretary Oar.
iels, viii act for this Government
when the key Is closed to every mes
sage that might convey information
to the enemy. ~
AS long as they are. allowed to
operate in this country. we shall GER
tinly keep a close watch on them"
said Mr.. Redheld concerning German
insurance companies.
COnfers Broad Powers.
Before the beginning Of the Europ-
can war Congress passed a wireless
communication act for the licensing
By the Department OF Commerce OF
all radio stations.
This act contained the following
language, which clearly gives the
President power TO close the avenues
of wireless communication to spies
and others:
Every such license shall provide
that the President OF the United
States. in time OF war or public peril
or disaster, may cause the closing OF
any station for radio communication
and the removal therefrom OF all
radio apparatus, or may authorize the
use or control OF any such station or
apparatus for any department OF the
Government, upon just compensation
to the owners"
Marked Baggage Paraded.
It is disclosed here that not every
precaution has heretofore been taken
to make the job of the spy q nard
one. It appears that it is not neces-
sary for a spy to be in Washington
or the Government departments to
learn about the departure of troops.
Reliable information Is that when
General Pershing's stan sailed for
France their baggage was carried
Through the streets of New York. on
an uncovered truck Some of the
baggage was marked plainly ,ESith
the names OF its oxners-Majof a.
and Captain That 1t. WA
marked, according TO the ST
thoritatively told in connectic
the spy campaign, with the
the ship TO which It was conslG
This baggage-;runks. grips and
ing cases, was carried to the
where Il was dumped for the CA
persual Of its markings by any per
admitted to the piers. ~
An alien enemy did not require e1e
brains Of the chief OF the German spy
system TO make use Of such information.
A man genera ly travels with his bag
gage and il the baggage Of Pershing's
stan was to go on a certain ship. even
a German spy Of mediocre ability
might make a reasonable guess as TO
sailing date. route and personnel
LaxIty In Capital
1t develops there has also been q
certain laNity regarding the trans
mission of information here In Wash
ington about the prospective sailing
dates Of officers detailed to France.
1t was related that members of
patriotic organization here, desiring
to send along gifts of clothing, equip
ment, and toilet accessories for some
OF the officers SO detailed, were ad-
vised that their contributions must
be shipped TO catch such and such a
steamer.
This statement is without infer
ence that spies are in this patriotic
organization. but there is a serious
question whether this government,
unaccustomed as It is to the rami-
fications OF Berlin's system OF esplon-
age, can afford to take such a chance