A WONDERFUL SECRET.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10403, 17 July 1912, Page 7

A WONDERFUL SECRET.

Ritter, an Aisaatian gardener, settled near Strasburg, who baa seen active service in the French army, is repenting his zeal in offering to reveal a wonderful secret to the Government in Paris. A month ago ho presented himself at the gate of the Elyses, and, being unablo to express ‘ imself with ease in French, simply uttered the words, “President," “espionage,” “Ministre de Ja Guerre," which he constantly repeated until he was taken into custody. A medical examination was Instituted, and the doctor stated in tils report that Ritter explained that he had simply wished to learn from tha porter how he could oommunSwith the President, The Alsatian told him that he had got hold of a great secret, which would be of iraportaaoa to Franca if war were to break out, aud that he had written to the War Office three monfeus ago, and, havlaa received no answer, had travelled to Paris. Oa baiag asked if he . had heard voices like Joanna d’Arc, Ritter had replied la the negative, aad when questioned on tha subject of payment had said : “I should prefer something else, but lam ready to accept . money if I am considered deserving of it. ” The report went on th statß?that an olfio'-u’ in uniform visited Ritter in his presence, and that the assarted that, as an Alsatian, who had been in the German army, he knew the country well, and was acquainted with the points at which pho concentration would be effected if mobilisation wore ordered The man’s story ap" neared plausible, and he told tha officer and tho doctor that he did not Intend to return to Alsace, bat wished to work in France as a gardener. The report concluded; “Ritter is not a lunatic; he Ja a good peasant, simple-minded and sincere, ’ The report wasiread out at tha Police Court, before which the Alsatian has just been brought, but it has not prevented his being sentenced to a fortnight's imprisonment as a vagabond, without the benefit of tha First Offenders’ Act.