The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-25
Want BRITISH TO
co Get BERGD0LL'
Negotiations Now Going On,
Declares State Department.
Arch Stacker Used Forged
Canadian Passport.
U. S. TO FURNISH EVIDENCE
Cannot Demand Extradition
While Still Mt War.
Germans Worried Over failing
of American Sleuths.

Washington, March 25.-The RELEASE
soon of Carl Nuefe and Franz zin-
mer American detectives sentenced to
Jail in Germany as a result of their
efforts to capture Grover Cleveland
Bergdoll, American draft evader, ts
expected by the war department.
Officials intimated today that Brig.
Gen. Allen, commanding the American
forces on the Rhine had been in com
munication with the German author-
tiles on the subject and that favorable
action on the request for the release
of the men was to be expected. This
was the first intimation, from the war
department that negotiations for the
release of the men were under way.
Ask British To Help.
The United States has asked the
British government to demand of Ger
many the extradition of Grover CIeve-
land Bergdoll, wealthy Philadelphia
draft deserter, who is enjoying asylum
in the enemy country, it was learned
today.
This development today followed
closely the exclusive announcement by
the United Press of the American de-
mand for the surrender of Bergdoll
by Germany and the release from a
German prison of Franz thinner and
Carl Neuf. who attempted to capture
the draft deserter.
The request for Great Britain to de-
, mand Bergdoll's extradition was made
by the state department to the British
embassy here. This was some time
ago. but negotiations for British co..
operation are understood to be still
going on.
Violated British Passport.
Bergdolrs extradition could be de-
| manded by Great Britain or the
ground that the draft evader got to
Germany on a forged passport OBJ
tanned in Canada. The British eni-
| bassy investigated the case and replied
that the British government could not
demand the deserter's extradition
without evidence that he obtained
such forged passport.
| The American authorities are un-
derstood to be working to obtain this
evidence and it is expected that when
| this is completed. another and formal
request will be made that Great Rri-i
tain demand the extradition of Berg
doll
! State and war department officials
demand that such action by Great
; Britain is probably the most practical
means OF bringing BergdolI back to
TINS country to serve his jail term.
! They point out that Great Britain has
made peace with Germany and can
| negotiate with the latter country thru
| diplomatic channels on such a ques-
ton. =
The United States, however, is still
technically at war with Germany and
all treaties, including extradition con-
ventions with that country, still re-
main automatically abrogated
German TO 'Savc Face.o
Mosbach. Germany, March 25.-
Carl Neuf and Franz thinner, Ameri-
can detectives, serving prison sem
tences here and whose release has
been demanded by the United States,
probably will not serve their full
terms, it was stated today. The Ger-
mans plan to free them as soon az it
! is possible to do SO and at the SAND
time save Germany's face"
1t is intended to keep the men in
jail reasonable time and then turn
them loose with the explanation that
the Berlin government was going to
do SO anyway and that the American
governments demand had nothing to
do with it.
Meanwhile, the Germans fear an att
tempt will be made to liberate the
Americans by force. Officials were
worried by the towns proximity to
the allied lines and planned to remove
the prisoners toward the interior OF
Germany. There was special fear
that the French would release the men
IL the allies should decide to extend
the occupation soon.
The detectives who were attached
to the American army and were SEN
fenced after attempting to kidnap the
American Stacker, Grover Cleveland
} Bergdoll, were said to have no com-
plant as to their treatment. They
were reported well fed and permitted
to receive supplies from CobleDzs
American headquarters.
Reports circulated today were that
the Americans were surprised to re-
| ceive a prison sentence, believing that
arrangements had been made for their