GERMAN SPY ON LINER

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15191, 11 April 1917, Page 3

GERMAN SPY ON LINER

A FATAL PRECAUTION. THE SPECTACLES. An interesting story of the detection of a captain of the" Imperial German Staff, who spied in America and was captured on a neutral boat at Falmouth, while on his way home, via Holland, is told in the Daily Express. His name is Boehm. Some months ago Boehm travelled by a neutral boat from Holland to New York. W«hen he arrived he adopted the guise of an American citizen and the name of Thrasher. As Mr Thrasher, he made a prolonged tour in North and South America, and gleaned much military and political information which he knew would be of great value to 4iis brother Huns. About a month ago he started on his return journey to Germany. First of all, with the aid of two friends, whom he employed to act as his guarantors, he obtained a false passport in the name of Thrasher, which described him ae an American citizen. With this passport and a considerable quantity of American and English monev, and with a most pronounced American accent, he hoped to steer his way through all difficulties. Matters went well for him until, by the power of the British Navy, the neutral vessel in which he travelled put into Falmouth to discharge those passengers whose destination was England and to allow the examination of those proceeding to Holland. The man who called himself Thrasher intended to go on to Holland. HIS MISTAKE. He prepared himself for the ordeal of examination. His accent was American of the finest brand. Hie clothes were also obviouslyp American. Apparently he thought these precautions were not all-sufficient, for developed shortsightedness and wore spectacles. This proved to be his undoing, for a far-sighted officer noticed that the shortsighted Thrasher did not appear altogether easy. His spectacles seemed to worry him. He wore t«bem as though they were strangers. A little thing like that excites suspicion in war time. Thrasher was questioned and cross-questioned. He was tested for his English, his German, and his American, and the suspicion grew into a certainty. Thra?*ier was asked to go ashore, and there he was put to such a severe cross-examination that he confessed his real name was Boehm.

The police then took possession of him, conducted <him to London, and, after various formalities had been erone through, he "was removed to an interment camp.