New-York tribune., 1918-06-08
Death Sentence
Is the Penalty
Washington Expects
Further Revelations
in Scheme to In
wade Ireland

The Federal Grand Jury yesterday
returned indictments against nine per-
sons, charging conspiracy to violate
section 2 of the espionage act, which
is capital offence, and an attempt to
commit treason punishm ent for which
is two years imprisonment.
The alleged plotters are: The Baron
ess Maria Won Kretschman. alias Nine.
Maria X. de Victorica: Lieutenant
Commander Hermann Vessels, alias
Karl Rodiger, of the German navy;
jeremiah O'Leary, the anti-British
agitator whose publication "Bull" is
denied the use of the mails; Willard
]. Robinson, Sim Fein orator; AL
bert Paul Fricke, alleged to have been
the paymaster OF the group; John T.
Ryan, fugitive attorney from Buff
falo, Slnn Feiner who frequently was
mentioned in the proceedings follow
ing the plot to blow up the Welland
Canal; Emil Ripper, an American citi-
zen who is alleged to have materially
aided the band in their operations, and
hugo Schweitzer and Rudolph Binder,
the latter two now deao.
Two Accused as Spies
Nine. Victorica and Rodiger are
charged with being spies in the pay Of
the imperial German government,
being in this country on special mis-
sion for the German Foreign Office to
gain the active aid of Irish radicals in
starting revolt in Ireland and convey
ing information of military value con-
cernlng the United States army and
navy to Berlin. The others are charged
with assisting them in their operations.
When the indictments were handed
up to Judge Hand only four Of the de-
fsndants were in court and all pleaded
not guilty to the charges. They were
the Baroness Kretschman, Lieutenant
Vessels. Willard Robinson and Albert
Fricke.
While the clerk read the findings of
,,he grand jury the prisoners, under
neavy guard, stood at the bar and lis
tened with attention. At times when
the reading showed the knowledge the
government had of their operations
tney looked with scorn at the court.
baroness Kretschman was naughty
wnen the proceedings started, but as
tne evidence against her was revealed
>sAAs~A AS& CyCo AlOul uukC XldIQ
and stared straight ahead, leaning
neavlly on an umbrella she carried.
Judge Hand, after receiving pleas of
not guilty from the quartet, held them
without bail and placed all in the Gus
tody OF United States Marshal Thomas
mcCarthy to await trial. The baroness
IN response to a question by the court
asked that Dudley Field Malone be as
signed to her as counsel. This request
was granted, Judge Hand directing
mat the attorney be communicated
"ltn immediately to ascertain whether
or not not he would appear in the case.
gaiy, of 81 Broadway, a partner OF
sohn j. O'Leary, now in the Tombs
awaiting trial on the charge of OBJ
Ssrueting justice, would represent him
hobinson said he had sent word to his
attorney, and would not need the as
s'stance OF the court in obtaining coun.
Accused as Spies
The indictments charge that Baron.
Sss kertschman, or Victorica, anc
gained entrance into this country after
our entrance into the war by claiming
st'zenship of friendly countries anC
mat they came here for the purpose OF
promoting an espionage and propa
sanda ring in the interest OF the
saemy and were in the pay of the vii
aeimstrasse.
Inc indictments brand them as spie:
ana gives detailed information as te
!ne,r operations since they came here
~ January Of 1917. They are accused
VI assisting in the military and nava
speiations Of the German government
ssainst Great Britain and her allies il
nat they collected and recorded ans
sonseyed information of value ant
.sused others to aid them in this coun
say IN communicating this information
tne German Foreign Office
III Is specifically charged that the,
;sahstsd the aid of Irishmcn and other,
~;.t ~ sals country to cooperate activel,
t;.a persons in Ireland who were plot
cns lug 70 land German troops on the Irisl
sssst' and that they attempted t,
ssssad q dangerous and insidious prop
nsnaa In this country against Grea
Mtsin and the United States.
VINE. Victorica and Rodiger were ar
Wsted sYx weeks ago by Mr.. and Mrs
jr..y @entzer, of the Department o
fce. Who, acting under instruction.
no Caief Charles De Woody, tool
.-sm inS custody at fashionable hote
vo'sttansd on Page !, Column e