Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-09
SENSATION DEVELOPS WHEN
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
NAbS FaITzEN
DENIES COMPLETELY
SECRET SERVICE MEN HAVE
BEEN ON TRAIL SINCE VEL
LAND CANAL PLOTS WERE UN-
COVERED-TO STAND TRIAL IN
NEW YORK.

Los Angeles, Cal, Mar. 9.-Captain
Alfred Fritzen, 40, an officer of the
Germany navy, was arrested today at
the Alhambra home of Frank H. Hart
president of the Southern California
Music Company, and held for Com
plicity in the German spy plot in the
United States
Fritzen was arrested after a six
months search. He had returned here
from San Francisco only yesterday,
according to special agents Branford
and Buden, of the department of JUS
tice, and went Immediately to- the
home OF Hart. who some time ago en-
ployed him as common ranch hand.
Hart who had been Impressed by
the mans education and culture, in
yited him to remain all night II was
at | o'clock in the morning that the
federal officials routed the Harts out
of bed, ordered FritZen to dress and
took him to Jail.
The prisoner SAID today he returned
from Cuba few days ago and before
that was in Vera Cruz, Mexico. He
said he tried to reach Mexico City
but was unable to because the rail.
roads were torn up.
What ! know | can't telI,' was hts
laconic explanation. Banfor accuses
former German Consul Roedei Of plan.
ming to conceal Frtzen and Of help
Ing, him in the past.
At no time was | an agent of the
I German government while ! was in
the United States said Fritzen. Il
am not spy and never was one"
AT the outbreak of the European
war in August, 1914, was in New
York. | am a captain in the German
navy and made every effort to get
back to the fatherland, but was un.
successful.
Il remained in New York a few
weeks after war was declared and
then | went to Havana because |
thought it was better for German to
be there than in the United States.
at was not long after the outbreak
CT war in Europe that was shadowed
by United States secret service men.
In December, 1914, | returned to
New York and at the first OF 1915 |
came to California and worked for
Mr.. Hart | went back East after
few months visit here and later 10
Cuba again.
From Cuba | went to Vera Cruz.
In January, 1916, went to New Or
| leans and then came to California
again.
while have been in Los Angeles,
have m9de several trips to Tia Juana
In an effort to get to Mexico City.
AT the time Of the attempt to de-
stroy the Welland canal in December.
1915, ] was in New York and can
prove an aibi by German and Ameri-
can friends who saw me there.
Il do not know Wolf Won Igel, CAP
tain Franz Won tepen, Captain Boy,
Ed. Hans Taucher Paul Koenig. Rich
ard Emil G.eyendecker Fred Kessler
or George Fuchs"
Fritzen admitted he had received
money several times from Germany
but said ii came from his family, who
are wealthy. He declared he would
not fight extradition but would return
to New York Immediately
Il had nothing to do witt the Cuban
revolt he told reporters, but know
there was crooked work somewhere
in the elections and that was respou
sible for the uprising.
II know the department OF justice
was after me and thought | was 4
SPY On several occasions | was ae.
costed in New York as the German
ambassador"
Frtzen Gtoutly maintained that ne
ahad absolutely nothing to do with the
German plot in Mexico and Japan
50 far the authorities have been IN
able TO locate Fritzens trunks IN
, which they hope 20 find very lmport
ant evidence aeainsl him.
Washington. u. c., Mar. 9.--Capt
Alfred Fritzen. under arrest In Los
: Angeles as German plotter, mas peen
> sought by secret service agents eveI
/. since the exposure of the Welland
canal plot, it was learned here today
AT that time he and another mar
dropped from sight and II was though
:, they had left the country Whetnel
Frltzen Is wanted in connection witt
more recent activides OF uerm'i