New-York tribune., 1919-11-15
Specifications Of Charges
Against Wetzel, Of Tcu-
ton Navy, Received;
Hearing 2 Weeks Hence
Explosives Alleged
Concealed i'm TOYS
Owing Allegiance to u. s..
Prisoner Is Accused as
Enemy's Chief Agent

Herman Wetzel. lieutenant com
mander of the German navy, who, Fed
eral authorities say, was the master
sNy of the German rropagandists in
North ana South America, will be
placed on trial for his life within two
weeks, charged with treason. The spec.
ifications Of charges against him were
received Yesterday at the Offices of the
judge advocate ut the Brooklyn navy
yard.
special military commission to Try
the prisoper soon will be appointed.
The government probably will be apre-
sented by Major r. Z. Adams, Of the
United States Marine Corps, the navy
judge advocate, Lieutenant Command
er &. D. l.angworthy. assistant judge
advocate, and ali agent o. Che Depart
mont of Justice
herman Wetzei, VINO is known un-
der various aliases. chief Of which are
herman Wesse s, Carl Rodiger and
kari Schrojers, is in the Tombs. He
soon will be transferred to the mill
ttary prison al the navy yard During
ms sixteen months stay in the local
prison, the .jailers say, the prisoner
had few visitors and kept to himself,
at no time discussing his case or
complaining Of his Imprisonment.
Explosives Concealed in TOYS
Ir June, 1918, Wetzel was arrested
with Albert Paul t'ricl<c, an America n
citizen, and indicted charged with con-
spiracy to violate Section Of the
espionage act, capital offence, and
conspiracy to commit treason The in
dlctment against the German naval Of
hcer was result of some remarkable
work on the part OF Charles f. De
ocdy, chief OF the Bureau oil Investi-
cation of the Department of Justice,
and his agents. They traced the move
ments of Wetzel for months, and found
ne had not only tried TO convey mini
tary information to the enemy, but
had attempted to bring explosives into
this country in toys made in Germany
The Indictment handed down by the
Federal Grand Jury charged that
Wctzel, or Vessels, from the time he
came to this Country on November H.
1916, to October 20, 1918, while resi-
dent Of the United States. and there
fore owing allegiance to this country
gave aid and comfort to the enemy.
Military Information Transmitted
~ Iurther charged that THIS naval
ctlcer had caused to have transmitted
10 the German government documents
containing valuable military informa-
ton, ard that he had received by spe-
cial messengers information of the
ways and means OF getting explosives
into the United States.
Detailed information Of the methods
to be used by the spies and plotters
was revealed by the Department Of
Justice findings. The high explosives
were to be shipped from Germany to
neutral country, and then forwarded
to this country concealed in toy build
ing blocks, thus escaping suspicion in
passing through neutral hands.
Numerous other revelations were
made about the intricate scheming of
the band OF spies.
Accused of Wide Plots
Federal authorities have said there
scarcely vas q plot of Importance
.gainst the United States during the
period Of Wetzel's activity that he
was not either u leader, adviser or
paymaster. Although an enemy alien
Wetzel was charged with treason, for
the United States Supreme Court had
asserted in several Of its decisions
tnat an alien owes temporary ale
glance to the United States while q
resident here.
Albert Paul FricXc was acquitted
last April. He was charged with con
spring with Wetzel in the plot o.
'0dling spy money and introducing
him to persons capable Of giving hiu.
r