A GERMAN ROMANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 156, 1 July 1916, Page 17

A GERMAN ROMANCE.

AI/LEGED L.IHDTENAOT'S TALE OF TORTCKE. Hβ old saying; "Show mc a liar and I'll show you a thief," seems to fit tie case of one Etchard yon Flader, who has been ■pitching a tale of moving adventure to over-credulous Americano. His story Is .intrinsically a piece of fiction, and his reference to ■•Vallamalon" (WooUoomooloc?) 33 an Island In. the South Seas ■ makes one doubt whether lie has ever been in Australia. Flander was w-niie on his honeymoon on a charge of stealing the purse of his landlady the day before his marriase. The prisoner has told an am-aiing story of modern adventure. Upon one occasion Flader speni two months In Japan. "They can say what they want to about "Germany preparing for wax years in. advance of the present conflict," he said, "tint to live in J*pan and "see what they are doing preparatory to war wonld i>e astounding. These Japs are better prepared for war than, people generally think. Their power Is not apparent on the surface." Flader says he left his native land just previous to the war. His adventurous spirit led JiSm to Australia., where he was seized by the British authorities. I>TBKNED TWO iIOSTHS. "For two months we were Interned on the ships In Sydney harbour," he said. "One day some of the other prisoners and myself attempted to escape. I was shoe Jon- times in the le; an! because of my wounds was recaptured and taken to Wallamelou Island, a British possession In the South Sea. "The conditions in which we were snSJected were frightful, and for nearly a month I suffered tae tortures of aa outlaw at the hands of the Australian guards. But I never lost heart. "Gathering all the corks I .could find, I carefully buried them in the gronnd, and when not under close surveillance bound mem into a life belt. "Having always heeded tae commands of the sentrie3 who watdied over our little band nf prisoners. I was granted numerous privileges nr.d with other*"trustlra tattled Iα the fcay, wiiidi reactei Into

:he island frojm tie ocean. Dense fogs rrerian; the Island at night, and one day ive other priioners and myself planned mother escape. T.RAPED INTO WATER. "It was about 3 o'clock on the morning it January 27. the Kaijer's birthday, teat i lons-sought opportunity came. Waiting an til all was still we stole .cautiously from the litile campe and reached the water's edgf. ,"I made tie lifebelt fast around my waist, and plnnged eighteen feet into the bay. It Mi some time afterwards that I heard the others jump in. Presently voices arose on the shore, and bullets showered about mc. "One of them tore the fiesiL on my head, v bnt I swam right along, part of the time I under water to escape detection. I knew that sooner or later I would reach the point, and if fortune was with mc I could go into hiding until a chance to leave tie island presented itself. PICKED UP BY U.S. SHIP. "After slowly drifting -with the tide for nearly eight tooars I sighted a ship flying j the American flag. I £ad passed through, j tie Channel, and -was now adrift in the ■ ocean. Although my strength was nearly j jone from being in the . water so many lours, and the wound In my head smarted j [rom the salt water, I paddled my ■way to j ±c ship. j "I tried to cry for help, but my voice vas gone. Finally a deefchand on the good j Up spied mc, and I was taien aboard. I ihall never forget the treatment I reeived at the hands -of the Americans, rhey doctored my wounds and provided :omfortable quarters for mc. '■Because of the possibility" of the Brilish demanding search, it was not lons jefore I was put In hiding. Only onoe In !orty-two days on tie voyage back to America dild I breathe fresh air. That was when iwe paree<l Honolulu. I was landed at Seattle, and after gaining my release I -went to San Francisco. WORKED AC3EOSS COTJMTE.T. Being a man of varied trades, the young lieutenant iworked his way across country md finally landed hi New Tork. Eager'to shoulder a. gun to defend the honour of his fatherliind, he then made two attempts to return to Germany, and, failing, went to the town of ■ Erie, in Pennsylvania, where he secured employment. Through a friend he was introduced to. the landlady. Els thrilling tales of confinejuent ia the dungeons of Europe and his experiences on the torture posts in India and the Orient, aroused her sympathies. He soon became the star boarder. She introdnced Mm to her friends, and la this manner le met BerCha. Fisher. After a courtship of two weeks they were ""• ried. In his confession Lieutenant Flader says he saw tHe landlady's purse lying on 9 table, amil, needing the money for his ■wedding tlip, took it When the landladj discovered her loss her friendship changed to anger. Forthwith ehe went before s magistrate and swore ont a "warrant foi his arrest.