New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-11
Sprague Advises
lnternnent for
Guido Won Steer
Head of Enemy Alien Bu-
reau Makes Recommends
ton on Austrian Agent

Dr.. Guido Won Steer, who was
schooled in the methods of Teutonic
intrigue while secretary in the Cab
met of Francis Joseph and who kept
open lines of communication between
the United States and the Central
Powers after we had declared war on
Germany, was recommended for intern
ment yesterday by Rufus w. Spraguc,
jr., director of the New York Enemy
Alien Bureau.
DR.. Won Steer was taken in custody
by agents of the Department of Justice
three weeks ago, when the Trans
atlantic Trust Company was seized by
A. Mitchell Palmer, Alien Property
Custodian. He was employed by the
trust company as director of it's con-
fidential agents since 1912, when he
came to this country
The man is thirty-nine years old and
has the rank of lieutenant colonel in
the Austrian army. He was educated
at the University of Budapest and,
according to the information of the
Federal authorities, has been sent on
by the Austrian government.
Organist at Bethlehem, Penn.
Investigation of Won Steer revealed
the fact that he has for some time
been an organist in a small church at
bethlehem. Penn. a position which the
authorities believe enabled him to
learn what 'was going on at the Bethle-
hem Steel Works there.
Chief De Woody's agents discovered
that since our declaration of war on
Germany Won Steer was in charge of
the mail of the Transatlantic Trust
Company in addition to his work as d
rector of confidential agents. In this
position he gathered communications
addressed to Austrian officials and de-
livered them to the Austrian Consul
veycd across the sea could not be as
certaned yesterday, but it was init
mated that they found their way to
Germany and Austria via Sweden and
Norway.
Among the effects of Won Steer
were several letters sent by Count
Dumba after the latter had been with
drawn from this country. When the
submarine Deutschland arrived in
America Won Steer, as an official of the
Transatlantic concern, was active in
SGlHcllIlS man anu VdludUltS W De SCHl
to Austria.
Since his arrest Won Steer has been
detained at the Ludlow Street Jail and
mas been examined frequently by the
Federal authorities. What information
he might have given could not be
learned.
Three Others Arrested
Charles Hartmann, an enemy alien
who was arrested by agents of the
Military Intelligence Department at
Camp Upton, where ne was acting in a
suspicious manner was brought to the
Enemy Alien Bureau yesterday and en-
amined by Perry NJ Armstrong, chief
examiner. He was unable to explain
his actions and was sent to Bellevue
for observation as to his mental con-
diton
Charles Scronlam, 46 Ridge Street,
was also examined by Mr. Armstrong
yesterday. He was arrested in Brook
Ign for failing to notify the authorities
that he had changed his residence. At
one time Scrc nham was employed by
the r. Hoe Company as a gunmaker.
Pending further investigation he was
sent to the Tombs.
Wilhelm Schef!old, 1872 Brown Place
The Bronx, was given thirty days in
the Raymond Street Jail yesterday by
Mr.. Armstrong for being in the zone
forbidden to. enemy aliens and for
failing to notify the authorities when
he moved. He studied law in Switzer-
land and after coming to this country
IN 1891 opened u saloon in New York