Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-27
PROPERTY WORTH
|. MILLIONS WRECKED
I. ALONG SEABOARD
Secret Service Agents Scent
Plot of Wholesale De-
struction of Ports.
SHOTS FIRED AT MEN
SEEN LEAVING REGION
Oil Barges, Warehouses and
Freight Cars Burned at
Newark, N. ].
EXPLOSION KILLS TEN MEN
Naval Torpedo Station at Newport.
X. L., Is Shattered by
Huge Blast.
EXPLOSION KILLS TEN MEN
Naval Torpedo Station at Newport.
X. l., Is Shattered by
Huge Blast.

WASHINGTON. January 26.-With a
total of six fires. causing loss OF many
millions of dollars worth OF property.
Secret Service agents OF the United
States late to-day began an investisa-
ton which it is said will reveal whole
sale plot TO destroy various ports along
tho Atlantic Coast.
Many OF the fires are marked by
strong suspicious OF incendiarism In
several instances men were seen run
ming away from the blaze and in other.
shots were fired.
More than sl,ooo.0O0 loss was caused
at Newark. y. T.. early to-day when
fires, believed TO have been started by
German spies. burned up oil barges.
warehouses and freight cars at New
ark Bay. close to the plant OF the Sub
marine Boat Corporation and store
houses OF the quarterma ster's depart
ment OF the army.
The fire followed in the wake OF in
formation obtained by the naval intel
iigcnce bureau last week of 4 wide
spread German plot against American
piers and shipping. Spread OF the
names TO, adjoining structures, among
! t.hert sbui.aings. and 5waysSoe the Suh-
marine Boat Corporations shfpyardF Fass:
believed to have been prevented
through the precautions taken upon re-
ce;pt of this Information. Guards had
been doubled about the piers and neislr-
boring government property. This was
responsible for tho carly discovery of
the ilames and the quickness with
which they were brought under control
In roundup OF persons found in
the vicinity just after the discovery OF
the blaze. man who said hc was
Andrew EvanoT. was arrested. Evan
OFF said he had been employed as a
laborer at the quartermaster's stores.
near the scene OF the fire. hut had been
laid off yesterday.
When searched a blueprint or an en-
gine was found in his possession. In
explanation he said he was a mechan-
ical craftsman. Authorities profeSscd
inability TO understand why F;vanoft
sought employment as laborer noar
the scene OF the fire in view OF his
statement that he Is 4 mechanical
craftsman.
In addition to the Newar.; fire, the
Secret Service agents tonight were in
possession of information OF five otter
fires. III which the indications were
strong that the German spy movement
had hand III the perpctration The
list Includes:
New York - Former White Star
Liner Adriatic now engaged in war
rk.threatened when guard discoy-
cred fire on forward deck. Quick work
by two iireboats saved the vessel. :,
Bal N e-.tmcrican steamship
Deepwater caught fire while loading
grain Fircboats came 10 rescue. Two
war munition plants were partly de-
Stroval last
SAN Francsco-Thc Eagle Tannerv.
working on army harness contracts,
incendira% fire: loss, $4,000. Motor
ship Sela ndia damaged
c--Westinshouse Electric Com
ranF plant destroyed. Loss. s2o0,o0es
Lindsy. Ont.-Larsest business block
ci Peterborough destroyed
PETERBOROUGH is a port of entry ou,
the otonabee River. and has many
manufactures Of iron. woodenware,
Woo!ens. etc. II has a large export
trade In grain. pork and lumber. Tho
population is about $4,000