The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-04
COL. PIORKOWSKI,
KRUPP AGENT, DIES
Artillery Expert Fought
Against Prussians and
Later With Them.
WAS UNDER PAROLE HERE
Born in Leipsic Of Polish
Parents 70 Years Ago
In L. S. 80 Years.

Iieut.-Col. Arthur Y. Piorkowski. re-
tired, of the Germany army. VINO
fought against the Prussians at
Sadowa and with them at Gravelotte,
and became, as an agent OF Krupp OF
Essen, one Of the worlds experts on
artillery, died Monday in his home. 81
East Eighty-sixth street. He was ~
years old.
Col Piorkowski was seized in the
countrywide dragnet spread by the
Department OF Justice on the day the
United States became belligerent'
April 6, 1917. as a suspected dangerous
enemy alien. lie was parolled immedi-
.tely in the custody of Justice Henry
d. Hotchkiss Of the supreme Court a
friend OF many years. The Govern
ment held nothing against him except
a loose connection with Capt. Boy-tn'
the attache Of the German Embassy,
who was given his congo. His loro OF
the big guns had gone out Of date with
artillery developments In Europe
Born in Leipsic of Polish Family.
Col. Piorkowski was born in Leipsic
OF Polish ancestry. He was graduated
from the university in that city and
entered the Saxon army in the arti-
lery branch He fought with the
Saxons against the Prussians in the
brief campaign that ended VIII
Sadowa. After the defeat Of Austria
the Saxon army was absorbed In tnat
, of united Germany.
When the Franco Prussian war
started PiorIowski was a lieutenant
He was given the Iron Cross LOT
bravery at Gravelotte. After the war
he specialized on artillery. He was
assigned as n member Of the official
inspection hoard OF the Krupp works.
He showed ability as a designer OF
artillery Appliances and made several
inventions that became recognized as
distinctively Krupp improvements.
Piorkowsld was promoted II ne
Captain and procured retirement from
active service TO devote himself en-
clusivcly to artillery work. Promo
lions to Major and Lieutenant-Colonel
came to him while severed from the
active list.
He became connected with the
| Gruson works OF Magdehurg. for which
he travelled in Japan and China
where he acted in an advisory posi-
ton as an expert on coast defence
| works. He rode across Manchuria
! from China to Port Arthur on horse
back ana It was a matter OF pride
with him that he was the first white
man 10 do this.
Col. Piorkowski came TO this country
thirty years ago He was sent TO
negotiate for the sale OF krupp ma
terial to the American Government
His duties were apart from those OF
the commercial agency OF the Krupp
works in this country.
Made Many Friends Here.
In this country Col. Piorkowski be-
came friends with many officers OF
high rank in the army and navy. HIS
views commanded attention and he
was a frequent contributor TO the
United States MILITARY Journal, pub
lished at Fort Monroe. He was a
member OF the Metropolitan Club OF
Washington and the Century Club OF
this city.
| Col. Piorkowski failed in his efforts
to win the patronage OF the United
States, but remained here for the Ger
man company. He married Miss
| Nav Bryant Of Boston. III health COM
PEELED him to retire from connection
with the krupp Company in 1910. He
continued TO receive the pay due to his
rank as a retired officer in the German
army until the outbreak of the Euro
pean war. At that time he offered his
services to the German Ambassador
| TO act in whatever capacity his ad-
vanced age and i'll health fitted him
for
While Capt Boy-E was being fol
lowed by agents Of the Department
Of Justice in the search for proof OF
| German plots against the neutrality
Of this country, they learned he was
much in offices at II Broadway. II
was learned that these offices were
engaged by Col Piorkowski, who had
been introduced to the superintendent
of the building by the German Consul
| General. Boy-Eds recall by his Gov
! rrnment was requested by President
Wilson. The record of his case led tc
the short detention of Col. P!orkowskt
two years later.
Coz. PiorkowsN leaves a widow and
ne daughter, Mrs. Paul Thomas OF
this city.