The Washington times., 1920-05-12
NYE GIVES Up
HIS j. S. POST
Famous Guard Of Kings and
Presidents Resigns for
j. Corporation Job.

J. M ("btH'D Nye. chief OF the
Secret Service OF the Department OF
State and internationally known as
one Of the most skilled investigators
connected with the American Govern
ment. has resigned to accept a conf
Dental position with a big New York
corporation.
II was with great reluctance that
Nye's resignation, which takes effect
May 81.
81 learn with a feeling almost OF
dtsmay that you are contemplating
the severance OF your long and effec-
tive relations with this department"
wrote Secretary Colby to Nye. ~
don't see how we can possibly let
you go just at the present mopent,
'and l say this Notwithstanding the
intense and almost affectionate desire
OF everybody In the department you
have served so faithfully that IL
should never be an obstacle TO your
advancement"
Originally Nye was with the Treas
ury Secret Service and In the early
most important cases and investiga-
.tions relating TO the wide-spresd
! German espionage and spy system In
this country. Among the big cases
was his penetration OF the most con-
Z fidential secrets of the German and
Austrian embassies which resulted In
the banishment OF Ambassadors Won
Bernstorff and Dumba.
Active In Zimmerman Case.
1t is no longer a secret that ne
played a most active role In the In
vestigation that resulted in the in
Perception of the famous Zimmerman
note to Won Eckhardt. the German
minister in Mexico. which was de-
signed to incite war between the
United States and Mexico.
When 1t became necessary to create
q secret service in the State Depart
ment to handle the momentous prob
lens during the war Nye was select.
ed as chief. He organized what Is
regarded by the Administration as
one Of the most effective agencies
of the Government and the tribute
paid BY Secretary Colby was roundly
echoed by other officials today.
Nye was in charge Of the various
allied war missions that visited this
country. and It was also his duty to
look after the detailed arrangements
for the protection ana entertainment
OF the many foreign celebrities who
were the guests OF this Government
during the past five years. His ef-
ficient efforts in safe guarding King
Albert and Queen Elizabeth of Bel
gium and the Prince of Wales won
for him the warm friendship Of each
and the decoration of the Order Of
Leopold and the Victoria Order.
Nye probably has a more extensive
acquaintanceship than any other
American. For years he was con-
nected with the Secret Service of the
United States, only leaving II when
called on by Secretary of State Lam
sing to handle the perpleXing PROB
lens affecting the Government DUR
ing the war. He is decidedly an
unique character. Probably because
his name Is Joe, he is "Bill'' to about
a million Americans and also to heads
of foreign states and Kingdoms.
The complete story Of Nyes' ac-
complishments prior to the United
States entering the war would be
wonderfully interesting IL II could be
told Some Of the things that he did
may have to be done again, however
and for the present, at least, they
must be referred to as "unwritten
history" But Count Johann Won
Bernstorff. the former German am
bassador here in Washington, and the
coterie of conspirators who operated
under his direction will bear witness
to the success of the Nye methods.
Guarded Taft and Wilson.
Prior to the world war Nye was
attached to the secret service guard
directly responsible for the safety of
former President Taft and President
Wilson. After the outbreak Of the
war he was detached and especially
assigned to look out for the interests
of the United States Government.
when President Wilson stepped on
the platform to tell Congress that he
had sent Count Won Bernstorff his
passports, Nye was in charge at the
German embassy. and he cared for
the dismissed envoy and his suite un-
til their steamer left Hoboken. And
there was a measure of protection
there that was conspicuously absent
q. narIi, ,ubap tho American mi