Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-17
{. KARL Victor,
GERMAN CONSUL,
is UNDER ARREST /.
kaiser's Agent at Richmond
to Be Interned Until
Close of War.
STEP TAKEN ON ORDER
OF Acknowledgement
Lodged in Henrico Jail, Pending
Receipt of Orders From
Washington.
WELL KNOWN TOBACCO MAN
Formerly Purchased Large QUAINT.
ties Of Weed Here for Ship
ment to Germany.
STEP TAKEN ON ORDER
OF ATT0RNEY-GE
WELL KNOWN TOBACCO MAN
Formerly Purchased Large QUAINT.
ties OF Weed Here for Ship
ment to Germany.

AS precautionary. rather than
punitive measure. L. Karl Victor, for
many years the Virginia representative
OF the imperial German government.
was taken into custody yesterday by
the United States authorities and will
be held until the end OF the war. The
arrest was made on orders from WASH
ington, the former consul having been
Under surveillance for several months.
Just when and where he will be In
termed has not been determined.
That there will be no criminal
'harges against Mr.. Victor at the pres-
ent time was stated yesterday after.
noon by District Attorney Richard H.
Mann. under whose supervision the ar.
rest was made. Government agents;
however. have noted every move made
by the suspected man since the declara-
ton of war. while an investigation into
his activities for several months prior
to that time was made. Whether any.
thing illegal had been unearthed ,rby
the government agents. Mr.. Mann de-
clined to state.
The arrest of Mr.. Victor was not q
surprise here. as veiled charges against
the former German consul had been
frequently made. Many OF these
charges were the result of vivid
imagination. but that he had been In
discreet in his talk, If not his acts.1
was we'll known. 1t had been ex-
pected that the government would take
action after the expiration of the
ninety days immunity granted peace
ful aliens by treaty.
ARREST IS MADE ON
ORDER FROM WASHINGTON
Ralph H. Daughton. of Norfolk. lspe-
cial- agent Of the Department..of~,Jus.c
tice, took Mr.. Victor into custody It
his offices in his big tobacco ware.
houses on Spring Hill. The order for
the arrest was issued by Attorney
General Gregory in the following tele-
gram to District Attorney Mann:
by order Of the President Of tho
United States, acting under the procla-
nation and regulations as to alien ene-
mics issued Alril 6. you are ordered to (
arrest and detain through the United
States Marshal at usual place OF deten-
ton the following alien enemy on the
ground that his presence ir your dis
trict ut large is to the danger of tho
public peace and safety Of the United
States-E. X. Victor. Such person shall
be held until further orders OF tho
President"
Mr.. Victor was taken to the Office OF
Marshal John G. Saunders, where he
was visited by his wife and two young
daughters, who came from their home
at Granite at once upon receipt of the
news of the arrest. Mrs. Victor and
children spent several hours at tho
Federal Building with the husband ana
parent and in consultation with gov
ernment officials
FAMILY AT LIBERTY
TO REMAIN AT THEIR HOME
There will be no change In the status
of the Victor family through the arrest
Mrs Victor and her children are at
perfect liberty to remain at their
home" said District Attorney Mann in
reply to a question regarding the ef-
rect OF the arrest upon them. There
is nothing against them. and as long
as they conduct themselves in accord
ance with the law they will not be mo.
Tested"
Mr.. Victor has been a resident OF
this country for the last thirty-fiye
years. He is a native German. and in
spite Of his lengthy residence here, has
never attempted to become an Ameri-
can citizen. While holding the rank
OF consul. the position was in no way
diplomatic one. Mr.. Victor merely
being business representative OF
Germany. He has been engaged in the
tobacco business for many years. and
before the war was one of the largest
exporters in this section OF the coun-
try. the bulk of the shipments being
to the German government. Mr.. Victor
has large warehouses and his offices
on Semmes Avenue at Twenty-second
Street. and his home at Haus Victor,
(Sranite CbeSfarHaJI hn,
two miles out OF Forest HILL
The Vietors have four children. three
daughters. Laura. Maria. johanna
Helene and Gertrud Elisabeth. and one
son. Frederick Martin. The son was
reserve officer in the German army.
and was called to the colors at the
outbreak Of the European war. He
Is now nerving as lieutenant In
the artillery, and has received the Iron
Cross for bravery on the field af
battle. The Victor children were all
born in this country and have been
educated here. All are popular among
their schoomates and neighbors-
Victor DECLINES To 80
COMMENT ON HIS ARREST
II thank you for your interest, but
I have no comments to make" afr.
Victor stated yesterday afternoons.
my. arrest was distinct surprise. all
/ though knew that government agents
had shadowed me to New York and
elsewhere. AS far as know. my
| family will remain In our home at
| Granite" 81 4 II.
Mr.. Victor was granted every cours8
tesy at tho Office of Marshal SsundcrS3
| He was not placed in the temporary
detention cell. but was. Eiven the frs4.
i { d d 4 n