The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-06-18
GERMAN OPERATIONS IN.
STATE OF FLORIDA

ATLANTA, Ga.,-That the German
government through the medium of q
bogus lumber company, had, in recent
years, purchased the best strategic
point on St. Andrews bay. Florida, with
a view to establishing a naval or sub
marine base, as well as all tracts OF
land on both sides Of the bay which
control that point, Is clearly indicated
In recent disclosures which have been
brought out since the United States
government took over all enemy-alien-
owned property in this country.
St. Andrews bay has long been re-
garded as one of the finest harbors on
the entire gulf coast, and, besides being
able to provide anchorage for the COM
bined navfes of the world, with ample
protection from all storms and hurri-
canes, also occupies a splendid tactical
position In regard to South America
and the Panama canal, being the near
est important harbor to the latter
place.
The German-owned company, while
purchasing these various tracts of land
on the bay, ostensibly as part of their
lumber enterprise, nevertheless selected
sites which were OF little or no value,
from a lumber mans viewpoint. but
military view.
Albanian New Director.
These facts have recently been dis
closed in statement made by Hollins
~ Randolph, prominent Atlanta attor-
ney, who is one of five directors ap-
pointed by the United States Govern
ment to take charge OF this business.
when it was taken out of the hands OF
its enemy-alien owners and the resident
Germans informed at Fort Oglethorpe
for the duration of the war.
Mr.. Randolph Had the Following TO
Say,
They not only located their plant on
the most strategic position on the bay
itself, but likewise obtained tracts of
land on all sides of the bay so located
as to completely control It. These out
lying tracts of land have no apparent
relation to the lumber propositions
they were supposed to be conducting.
1t begins 10 appear, as If the lumber
business was a secondary matter with
the Germans, and they had some other
scheme afoot. The secretary and treas
urer Of the company was the German
consul, and one or more, of its presi-
dents have been Germans who held
high positions under the German for
eign Office in South and Central Amer
lea The president Of an associated
shipping company was very closely re-
lated to the lumber company, and was
himself ''globetrotter" Of an ordi-
nary kind He, too. seems to have held
important positions directly under the
German foreign office all over South
and Central America.
Disreqarded Lumber Plant.
They do not appear to have pate
much attention to the lumber business.
and whether they made money out of il
or not did not seem to matter. They
turned that over to a manager and let
him conduct it practically as he saw
TT. They made very infrequent visits
to the place, notwithstanding the fact
that they had more than two million
dollars actually invested. 1t was p.,t
uncommon for the officers to take sud
den and unexpected trips to Germany.
although nothing connected with the
lumber and shipping enterprises seemed
TO warrant or justify any such trips.
When it is remembered that the Ger
mans built tennis courts in France with
concrete bases to serve subsequently as
gun emplaeements when war was de-
eiared it would not be at all surprising