The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-15
FRICKE CONFESSION
TO BE READ TO JURY
Dealings With Vessels and
Nine. de Victorica Told i'm
"' Statement.
ALLEGED SPIES TRACED
No Promises Made to Obtain
Words From Prisoner, the
Prosecutor Says.

A detailed confession alleged to have
been made by Albert Paul Fricke,
naturalizod citizen, in regard to his re-
lations with Herman Vessels and Mime.
Marie de victorica, German SOY s,is-
poets, on June Is last. after he had
been indicted, will be read to the Jury
at the treason trial before Judge Julius
M Mayer in the Federal District Court
to-day.
The confession was submitted by
George W,nship Taylor. Assistant
United States Attorney. yesterday after
noon. Thomas ]. o'Neill, counsel for
Fricke. objected but was overruled. He
asked for an opportunity TO read It be-
fore 1t is read to the jury. The docu-
ment contains $500 words. Judge
Mayer ordered that a copy be given to
Mr.. O'Neill and adjourned court.
No Promises Made to Frfcke.
Mr. Taylor said F'ricke was not
threatened and no promises were made
to him. He said that he followed the
advice OF his counsel. Samuel Herehen-
stein. AT the time. F'ricke was in the
Tombs Prison following his indictment
with Jeremiah A. O'Leary and others
charged with conspiracy to commot es-
pionase. He was subsequently rein.
dicted. charged with treason.
Ben A. Matthews, Assistant United
States Attorney, who was in charge OF
spy Investigations, testified yesterda,
that mono of the several statements mad,
by Fricke TO officials was Induced b,
threats or promises. F'rickA was 8
Grand Jury witness on May "a, 1918.
Under cross-examination by Mr.
O'Neill. Mr.. Matthews said F'rfcke tried
to give the impression that he was tell.
ing all that he knew because of his re-
sentiment toward Adolph Richter. hi.
German employer. Fricke maintained
Richter had caused him to come in con
tact with Vessels. Richter was II
charge of bureau Of the German Nava
Intelligence service and sent Vessels t.
| this country.
Much of the information given b.
| F'ricke the witness said, was in relation
| tc money transmitted to the alleged spy
| from Germany through dummies here
M. Matthews said that Fricke changed
his story at different examinations.
Subpoena shown as Evidence.
Mr.. O'Neill put in evidence a sub
prna directing Fricke to appear befor
| Grand Jury on May 20. Mr.. Matthews
on direct examination. had testified tina
go far as he knew no subpoena had beer
served on Frcke to compel his appear
ance before a Grand Jury.
Mr.. O'Nelll tried to draw from tn,
witness testimony that would tend I,
| support the contention of the defenc,
| that Fricke was compelled to testify be
fore Grand Jury in violation of hi
constitutional rights. The answers in
variably were that Fricke was advised
| &c secure lawyer and never permitted
to talk until after he had been informed
that what he said might be used against
him.
Francis G. Caffey. United States At
torney, and Ralph W. Horne. former
Assistant United States Attorney. tes
titled in confederation OF Mr. Matthews
Mr.. Hershenstein, F'rickes former
counsel. gave similar testimony. He wa.
formerly an Assistant United States
Attorney. He refused to testify excep,
as to statements made 10y Fricke in the
- essence OF others