New-York tribune., 1921-06-03
Britain Aids
US. I'm Move to
Get Bergdoll
Negotiations for Extradition
of Fugitive Draft Dodger
Are Under Way Be-
tween London and Berlin
Passport Fraud Charged
Believed He Will Be Sent
to Canada, Then Over the
Border to Complete Term
From The Tribune's Washim oton Bureua

From The Tribune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, June 2.--The even
tual return to this country of Grover
Cleveland Bergdoll, the Philadelphia
fugitive draft dodger, to serve out the
balance of his term as a military pris-
oner, is expected by the War Depart
ment to be accomplished through the
British government, it became known
to-day.
Information has reached this govern
ment that the London Foreign Office
has interested itself in the Bergdoll
case, and it is likely that his extradi-
tion from Germany to British terri
tory, and thence to Canada may be ac-
complshed through negotiations that
are now understood to be under way.
Once in Canada it is believed that it
would not be difficult to have Berg
doll sent across the border and into
the hands of army officials.
Used Canadian Passport
The State Department some time ago
placed before the British Foreign Of
fee all details of Bergdoll's escape
into Canada and the illegal use by
him OF Canadian passport on which
he reached Europe. The contention
was made by this government that the
British authorities could make this
fact the basis of representations to the
German government for Bergdoll's
extradition. This view also is main
tanned by the Veterans Association Of
Canada, which recently urged the Do
mlnlon government to ask the London
Foreign Office to make all possible
efforts to gain custody of Bergdoll
The passports upon which Bergdoll
and Ike Stecher, his chauffeur, reached
Germany were issued in Winnipeg last
summer. Bergdoll's passport bears the
name of George Charles Riggs, who
claimed British citizenship on the
grounds that he was born thirty-five
years before at Milk River, and was
an agrculturalst. 1t was No. 64,493.
Stecher's passport is No. 64,7S7, and is
made out to Frank jeremiah johnson,
forty years old, born in New Dayton,
Alberta. The two men sailed from
July Is, stayed five days in London
and then proceeded to Holland. From
there they reached Germany.
Veterans Demanded Action
The negotiations under way with the
British government to obtain extradi-
tion, on the grounds of abusing pass
port privileges, were initiated several
weeks ago. The American Legion has
cooperated in this movement by enlist
ing the aid Of the veterans organiza-
ton in Canada, which in turn pressed
the Dominion government to intervene.
communication from the Canadian
Veterans May 90 said: att is not yet
clear what action can be taken through
the Canadian government, but if we can
be of any service to you our coopera-
tion may be relied upon"
General Peyton c. March, former
Chief of Staff, divulged to the Con-
gressional committee investigating
Rergdoll's escape, May 8, the diplomatic
steps being taken to obtain Bergdoll's
extraditon. He said the government
had decided "to get Bergdoll at any
price" 1t was brought out that if the
negotiations through Great Britain
were unavailing the slacker's extradi-
tion would be demanded by the United
States direct as soon as peace has been
declared with GERMANY