The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-05-31
GERMANS WARNED
!, DE- THE j. S. PLANS
Il
SPIES BEING HUNTED BY THE
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
GREATER SECRECY is URGED
News of Departure of American Fleet
to War Zone Believed to Have
Been Sent Through Mexico
Is or South America.

K or Soutn AIneTlCd. J.
Washington, May 26.-The German
spy system is in operation within the
United States army and feet. Not only
are spies obtaining information they
want in this country, but they are able
to get it to Berlin in time for German
submarines to menace American war
ships and soldiers on the seas.
This was admitted by the navy de-
partment. Secretary Daniels announced
that word of the sailing of an Ameri-
can destroyer fiotilla for Europe had
been wired ahead TO Germany and that
German submarines had succeeded in
scattering mines at the entrance of the
hnrbOr for which the American war
ships We're bound,
.. Two Sources Suspected.
Information involving even the des-
tination of the destroyer fleet could
have come only from two sOurces-the
nivy department or the fleet. That
the German espionage system could
have extended its tentacles into the
very heart of the naval establishment
has been shock to officials.
The following statement was issued:
"For days before the arrival of the
American destroyer fleet abroad Ber-
liz knew that the vessels were on the
way and to what port they were going,
according to advices from Admiral
Sims. ....
HE reports that he has positive in
formation that Germany was thus in
formed in advance and sufficiently far
In advance that the port Of entrance
of the deStrOyers was mined the day
previous to their arrival.
Greater Secrecy Urged.
"The 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
lions. The premature publication of
ship movements is particularly a
source of danger t'1s @'' fFitEft = b
The department, while realizing
that the newspapers did not give this
information, would be pleased if the
fact were brought TO the attention of
editors by way of showing what eX-
IRENE care is required In shielding
military information from the enemy,
whether, it becomes public through the
press or otherwise.
t"The fact that the information
reached Germany with little or no de.
lay Is expected to result in thorough
investigation of the navy censorship.
Only two methods were open to Ger
man operatives in sending the informal
ton home-wireIeSs and cable. Both
are under naval control. There are
only two wireless stations in thi& cOun-
try from which the message could have
been sent-Sayville and Tuckerton.
ut is quite impossible, in the view
of officials, that the message could
have gone over either the British or
French cables tile only other con-
structiOn being open that it went
first TO Mexico or South America
and then was relayed by wireless.
Dispatches from Buenos Aires told
of the erection Of a new German
wireless station there.
1.-THE navy, however, also has estab-
lished a censorship over cables to
the South and issued strict regula-
tiCns for their commercial use.
1.-THE source of the leak however,
will cause the deepest probe. 1t was
admitted shortly after the declara-
ton of war that six persons sus-
pected of spying had been discovered
in the state, war and navy build
ing" ..... ... ...
U. S. Officials Alarmed.
Gratifying as is the failure of the
Germans to sink or damage the
American destroyers, their advance
knowledge that the vessels were com
ing and of the exact destination of the
craft is a matter that has caused
great alarm in official circles.
If the Geramns could learn so cas-
lily the truth regarding the destroy
ers, it is apparent that it will be just
as easy for them to learn when Majo
General Pershing sails, and when 80
600 soldiers and marines will depart.
1t will be just as easy for them to
know the route of the ships and their
destination, and, so informed, to make
arrangements for an attempt to de-
stroy the transports. and, If successful,
to drown many of the men they carry.
9mAs soon as the first report was re-
ceived fromiQAIlmiral Sims showing
German knowledge of American plans
an Investigation was instituted by
the several departments of the gov
eminent and the secret service.
LARGE Attendance