New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-05
The German Spy Peril

that the German spy system in this coun-
try is still in working order The first
German attack, on June %, was made un-
der circumstances which leave no doubt as
10 German knowledge Of our military
plans.
When the destroyer squadron was sent
abroad a couple of months ago the Ger
mans spread mines at the entrance TO us
rort of destination. Yet the secret OF tha1
destination had been intrusted to only
few men high up in the Navy Department
II was impossible, of course, to conceal the
departure from this country Of an expedl-
ton as large as that which has just landed
in France. But the course to be taken
after leaving our shores and the high sea
mint at which the expeditionary fleet
was to meet the American destroyer
squadron now in European waters must
have been disclosed also snly to very few
insiders. Yet the German submarines
picked up the transport feet in the Allan
tic considerably to the west of the ap-
pointed rendezvous. For second time
the facts point to the accomplishment OF
clever feat of espionage.
The German spy system has been estab-
fishing itself here for years. Under Bern
storff and Boyd it penetrated every
where. 1t still maintains communications
with Germany through neutral countries.
Americans, having had little experience
with spy systems, are disposed to mini
mize their value-to treat them merely as
adiuncts TO the meodrama of the stage
and of best-seller fiction. We do rot yet
take the spy threat seriously, in spite OF
the many startling exposures of the rami-
6ca+ions here Of German subterranean
activity.
Il is time we should drop this attitude
Of skeptical indifference. AS The Tribune
has shown in its news columns from day
TO dav. German insurance companies are
allowed to reinsure American shipping and
TINS obtain full information as to the oper-
atoms OF our UeIClldilI H4dAiAlS' N'-'S
aliens are permitted to continue IN busi-
resses in which they have access to many
facts of military value. The President
recent proclamation barring enemy SUBJ
iects from areas in which military or
naval stations are situated or in which
shining operations are conducted has also
been treated as dead letter It's enforce
ment in this city, for instance, has been
practically abandoned Enemy subjects
who take the trouble to ask for licenses
exempting them from compliance with the
Presidents order are cheerfully accom-
modated. Those who do not take the
trouble to apply go on their way unmo-
Tested.
Possibly the collection here Of military
information for transmission to Germany
cannot be stopped at once or entirely. But
the present scheme of restriction on
espionage leaves much TO be desired. A
really stringent censorship of cable mes
sages and censorship Of all mail matter
going TO neutral countries would be wise
precautions. Apparently there is as YET
10 general censorship of the mails The
facilities allowed TO German insurance
companies in the reinsurance Of shipping
ought TO be revoked. And all enemy sub.
jects should be obliged to take out identi
fication cards and should be barred com.
pletely from the military areas described
ir the Presidents proclamation.
\ 1t would be better TO take these step;
now, calmly and firmly than to wait until
= some disaster to our troop ships, agar
disclosing the workings Of the German spy
system, leads TO a popular demand fol-
summary action. If the trap sprung il
the Atlantic by the German admiralty had
worked, the revulsion Of feeling here
against laxity in enforcing the anti
espionage laws would have been intense
almost hysterical.
At present we are trying TO avoid
trouble by treating the peril of German
! espionage as practically non-existent. That
is mistake in tactics for which we may
have 70 pay dearly We can hardly hope
10 eradicate the German spy system al
one stroke. But we can certainly reduce
the scope Of It's operations by adopting q
less complacent attitude toward it--by
thoroughly censoring all outgoing commu-
rications and by taking enemy subjects
here under genuine surveillance. The
longer VIC delay doing these necessary