New-York tribune., 1918-10-09
U. S. Troopship Torpedoed
After Wine-Plied Naval
Officer Told Secrets
Admits Receiving
Cash From Germany
Walter F. Loehmer in Hud-
son County Jail Follow
ing Examination

grenadier, who admits having received
money from Germany through the
Deutsche Bank of Berlin after this
country entered the war. is to-day un
der arrest, pending investigation of an
alleged spy plot which, it is believed,
resulted in the torpedoing Of g large
American troopship.
A nineteen-year-o American girl,
Miss Margaret O'Sullivan, of o2S
Washington Street, Hoboken. detained
with Loehmer and paroled, is to appear
this morning before United States Com
missioner Stanton, of Hoboken, to cX-
plain why she arranged wine parties"
at which Loehmer was able to obtain
vital information regarding the sailing
dates of transports, methods of CONVOY
and other data of the greatest value to
U-boat commanders from American
naval officers while they were under the
influence of liquor
Others Are Summoned
Two other German enemy aliens
have been summoned to Commissioner
Stanton's Office for hearing Friday.
Loehmer, a man of evident educa-
tlon, was arrested through Lieutenant
Emerson Murray, of the Naval Intelli-
gence, who swore that the German
piled a petty officer with drink until
the latter gave information about the
sailing OF his ship, transport, on the
dSU fS11oUircr bo
is being held pending the investigation
on a technical charge of having un-
lawfully supplied officers of the United
States army and navy with liquor. He
is in the Hudson County jail under
$500 bail.
Loehmer admitted to Commissioners
Stanton that he had given liquor to
this particular naval officer, with whom
he had had six interviews at various
times, but denied that he had been
seeking information from him. When
Commissioner Stanton asked Loehmer
why he displayed such great interest
n American troopship movement, how
ever, the German replied:
IL merely displayed the same interest
YOU would show IN case you came in
contact with a German naval or army
officer"
The Naval Intelligence agents work
ing on the case are investigating re-
ports that Loehmer has made one or
more trips from this country to Ger
many and back since America entered
the war. How he was able to do this,
If the information is correct, and the
manner in which he was able to obtain
German gold, as he admitted, is being
investigated.
Tells of "Wine PARTIES
According to Lieutenant Murray's
testimony, he was present at a party
given by Miss O'Sullivan on August
16, at which Loehmer and the chief
petty officer. now reported under de
tention in France, were among the
guests. Wine flowed, and the navy of
iicer partook freely of it. Lieutenant
Murray noticed. while Loehmer, pre-
tending to drink with him, did not
touch a drop.
Lieutenant Murray testified that
during the evening the petty officer
announced, in voice loud enough for
all TO hear, that the transport on which
he was stationed, the George Washing
ton, was to sail for France the next
day. 1t was few days after this,
while the troopship was on the high
seas, that another vessel of the convoy
was sunk by torpedo. with the loss
of fiftv-sevCn lives.
Lieutenant Murray said he noticed
Loehncr was asking the naval man nu-
merous questions about convoy meth
ods and other details of the transport,
and his suspicion was aroused. He
reported what he had seen to his su-
periors, and was assigned to the case.
He managed to sec Iochmcr at other
times, and the ALTERS arrest followed.
Girl Is Arrested.
Bliss Sullivan, a former Liberty Loan
worker ana singer was asked to ap-
pear as u witness against Loehmer.
She said she knew Loehmer about four
months, having met him at Liberty
Loan meeting.
"A petty officer was made drunk by
liquor supplied by YOU in your home,'
Commissioner Stanton said. SIN thae
condition he gave information regard
ing the movement of ships. One ship
was torpcdoed. viii not say it was
through the information so given. bus
Il you arc loyal American, as ycu
say you arc, you will understand thai
Il is your imperative duty to make
clean breast OF everything.
Lochmer, in his testimony. said nc
had served year in the German army
and had been IN the United States six
years. With no apparent income he
has maintained two homes ono ~
42S 1hirty-third Street. Woodclff,
y. j.. the other in Hobokcr