CONFESSION OF A GERMAN SPY.

Waikato Times, Volume 87, Issue 13269, 26 August 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

CONFESSION OF A GERMAN SPY.

The dramatic and sensational coufeesion of Major Hoist von der Goltz, the German spy, who, under the direction of Captain von Patten, the military attache at the German Embassy in Washington, took part in the organisation'of plots to blow up,the Wolfand (.'anal and other, outrages against Canada, was- published recently in the 'form ol a White Paper. One ol the schemes was lor the invasion oi Canada by armed torces aided bv German warships then in the laci-

V,,.| der Goltz is now in America, under the charge ul Scotland Yard dei , tives\ lie went there under a, promise to the British Government to give evidence against his fellow-eonspira-,oi. Since In.- arrival there tbe f'ede- ,..,| .nand jury Ims returned indictments .against' Captain von Papon, Hans Tauscher, husltand of Mme. Gadski the operatic singer. Alfred 1- ritzen, ~,d Constantino Covani. These men ail play a prominent part in the story ' u ,lil bv von der Goltz in his confession. ' Unfortunately, the proceedings aeainst Oaptain von Papon will result. in nothing, as he is now sale in Ger-

manv. . ~ , The confession made by von der t.oitz -hows, however, how deeply Captain von Papen was implicated. He is described bv von der Goltz as the "gene-lal-.n-chiet." There is, indeed, lit .o .l.mhi that he wa« the head ol tlie \meiiean branch of the German Secret Service; that he issued the untruelions tor the carrying out ol the plots hatched at his initiation, and distributed the ixiymonts made to the men who were In.- tools. Tin- confession is preceded in the While Piper bv a bind memorandum i„ which the event- which led to v.m der Goltz making llls statement, with die object, of .savin- his own skin, are briellv recorded. This memorandum read-' as fellows:•I lew -t von dm (ioltz arrived ill Miglaml froni Holland on Nove.nher !th, IHt He offered information upon pro ice tod air raid-, the -mine where 1i,,.' r'.im'.mi derived her information as J,, British shipping, aud how the l,ei|>zi , r was obtaining her coal nipplus.

He oiirrt'il to <:o tv.u-K to Ceninun to nliuiiu tin> informal ion, and ait 1n,.,1 |or in tin- tirsi n:.-!an<v \\a* Ins t rjiM-liiirj. oxpoiiM's. . Ho was inti'iTo-ated. aii'l. ;o .liiti'inci.t- wort' rontli"!in ; -'lul nns itisl'arti'i v. la' was il« t :iinml. \ on. del (lull/, was. on NoviMiilvr 'tni! v. itli failing to iv-i-ier. and on N.,vi'tiil>'T -'ali In- w:o «.ont« :»ml to ■MX liioli'.lis' inipr'-onnuMit. Willi a iyee'll llll'llda. t i'lll t- !' dor 1"!' [ ;lt |o |l to -!V« i i,is I'. ■M-.HV.lle I tin' i-Mtiratmil lie wa- hold !T»t ai Hrixtt-u an.! then Uoadii-'.' I'i I on. lot- i loiter ta 1 ion. ■(>:■ .1 :• l i vi: i I'v -Jm.l. ;• ;■ " T |: • .... .... ho to t Ci-o l„ [ !t !.. iMiu.ii \ a.. .•< # Ini'.ntli.' A;i:• >ll t ''a- a ,!,'o'l |(i■ 11:' i , I-:. 1!' l!■ i" ! ' ! ' 1 ' ''' }_ r , i r |in in f.a oi r.:' l an I a'-- ; '"" - 11 I ~ .-1,;,tVn ,! !■ ovw 1 'tin'.:■On .l.imi >r\ oi . J o-.vn i., vi>ii <i. i Coin'.: ii>- • |», , , ;t,o ir I;: »!!:•! i'ip" . , H;oi •... i.;». i.v •;> i;, or (In !'. 1 <: u.« • \ '.'lal !.e v. • - n, ,i ■■ io \\ :is v. iii:ii 'y> a•' i,i ..;uii ..11 . all'. 11.' •• ; 'ad ' 'Von',l, !■ ilol:/'- a ! one. m i'lii'N ~!! on oi tl»' < iiotph . lako'i 1 ront ( ..; ,t-I ill Vol' I'a poll ;i- I' a! a iiuii. !11 f 11' Wll .oil 1 !'■ ' 1 • 'How 111 ■ ~ .ml,or - Kmiii'i, X > ■l' I lv, );o, i : or T.i> I.!'. H\aii. H'ltlaU... n,..|.,.'||!.: r _'J Kn.ii'tli. N " !i"d. aiol ! s : i|. i: o (i'i.r Hv;n Bii'Talt' 'J'lO t W,hr>. i lot ril.oi II ' K nan lii N aHiod. "rd i\ o; (i - . r I i ii/.rii 4iml • do'; Vi d-.liao. o, •_'! : Ta nsohor. Ni'W V>rlC <ll -il] I !row :i iim tor linrtlii. It dol»;r. oniv Dofoini'iT l>: H. Cla- . r. Prid' i noi l i T• >i oi> omits. •\M 1110-o nasms orvur in von (!• r Colt/'--' sratoii our. lit' cannct liavo known that those •'hi.. ;ho possessi<>n of the Rriti-h anth,.i i i ios •. indeed, the last two (IT. Tan- >• h"|-. .NovelllliP'' -J Ist .'111(1 1 le.'eni lie I '--th l Wol e pa id a! lor he hi' (I hft Anieriea. 'HI K CdNrK^ION

The following .worn statement was made In Horn \ o\) di r (biltz. - ■ The' Urd August. 101 1, licence was • i\ ~|| m me In my c')mn:.;indiug officer iMoxi-an army I I" separate myself Ik,in the service of tlie brigade to which 1 \\a-, attache;! for the term et six month;, said leave to he extended at ntv application. I hft directly for El I>:,mi, Texas, where I was fold by Mr Kuck. Gorman Consul at Chihuahua, Mexico, who stayed there, to put myself at the disposition of Captain von l'apen. •! left there for Washington, D.C., August IMtli. and received there a letter informing me that Captain von Papon would like to meet me at New York in about 10 or I'J days. I left, consequently, Washington, and went to stav for Mime ilays at .Vshbtiry Park (Augu.st lUth\ and arrived at New York idler about live or six days (date 1.1 arrival to be found in the book of the Midland House). I then paid a visit, to l>r Kra-ke. V ice-Consul at the (lerman Ceneral Consulate, and was told hv him that he would inform me by letter when von Papon would sec me, in order to enable me to avoid beoig -'.(ii too much at the Consulate. Two or three days afterwards I received a letter, written .by Dr Kraske in private paper, telling me that a gentleman who was interested in me wished to see me fit the Consailat-e at a certain hour. Tho letter was written in this manner by agreement-. A translation of this letter addressed to "Baron von dor Goltz" is given in nn appendix as follows: "New York. August 21. 1914. "Dear Horr von <\cv (Jolt/,. "1 am very- sorry not to have found you in to-day, when, after another engagement. I was able to come round and try to catch you. "1 had arranged a meeting for yesterday morning between von and a gentleman who is interested in you. ''lf you call on me to-morrow morning', at whatever time is convenient for you, 1 shall probably be able to arrange another interview. —T am. etc., "Dr Kraske."

Atteuding to the request, I had at first .some conversation with Captain von Papen about recent events in Mexico, and afterwards was asked to Lii\ • > my opinion about a proposal made to the German Embassy, the writer of which, a certain Schuhinaeher, asked for financial .support in order to carry (lit a scheme by which he thought he would be able to make raids on towns •situated on the coast of the Great Lakes. He proposed to use motor boats with machine guns. The proposal being rejected on account of the Embassy receiving unfavorable information about the writer, 1 was at first requested to givd my assistance to a scheme of invasion intended to be put in execution by entering Canada with armed forces recruited from the reservists in the United States of America, and aided' by German warships at that time in the Pacific. The scheme, which was proposed by Captain von Papen and Boy-Ed, was abandoned, objections having been made by Count Bernstorff. I was told so by Captain von Papen. TWO REBELS.

letter of introduction written by Captain von Pa pen, aud received, after tiier details about the matter, in addition to maps and diagrams showing the most vulnerable, points of the diilerent canals. These maps had been evidently cut out of book«, and 1 returned them afterwards to one of tlio gentlemen, who said that he had to put, the maps into the books again, ho having made use of those books at the insurance office at which he was employed. 1 then had to get some men to help me to put the scheme into execution, but engaged, before I went to 1 i;i 11imore, only one man, Charles linker, alias Tucsheimer, who luid al-so some, conversation with one of the men who proposed "t he scheme. FAKE I'ASS PORT. Receiving a letter of inroductiun to Mr Luederitz, Consul at Baltimore, who Wits to aid' me by hi 6 counsel, f went there, taking Tucker wuli me, and was received by Mr Luedeiitz at the Consulate in Baltimore, lie evidently had been informed about the matter beforehand, for he addressed me as Major von dor Goltz, although my 'letter of introduction was written in lavor of Mr Bridgoinan 11. Taylor. He .-bowed very much interest, and. besides nu' witn a revolver, m\ own being* out of order temporarily, suggested to furnish me with a passport- to bo obtiiined through t-lie State Department, Washington, DC-, pro\ - mg mo to be B. il. Taylor, in order thai 1 should bo able to travel safely. lie al-Mi proposed to mo to make use of part of the crew and one officer ot a (~ (Gorman) ship at that time in the harbor, .and furnished me with his visit, card, at the back of which he wrote recommending Major von dor Goltz, or something to that eflect, whieli I should give to the captain ol the ship. While I was still conversing with Mr Luedent'/. the captain of the ship was announced by a * lerk. and Mr LuederitK. telling the clerk to bring the gentleman in. introduced me to the captain persona I !v. One of the clerks, a notary, made out an application to the State Department. Washington, Da .. for a passport purporting to be desired by a certain li. 11. Taylor. All the information given in this passport was fictitious. It was arranged that this passport. to Ik* sriit to "'in**. New York, who was t<> deliver it to me. SELECTING MEN.

The followim: day. a Sunday, I paid, accompanied bv Tucker, a \ i.-n to the ■ hip. dmed there, and selected the men intended to ho used in the enterprise |.,. ; Mina'iU ■ 'I be men were acquainted wild the" duties demanded from them. I ,|-o listened for some time to wuei, -.. m w s received on beard, lead to llie hx the operator, the captain iliiofiun',, !i; ,. ;mit he bad been lorbiddeii by ,).'.'. huhor anthoiitie.s to use bis ap- . 'i'i. j ■, n p.iratus ler .sending purpu-es. Ihex ap- .;,;,, pram!,- d to pay oil the imm ..'|,,t,. 1 ai ilie Consulate in a lew days :.,,.! to send ilunt to New Verb ur.d.-r tlie ~upervi-ion of an ofiicer. Kverxthing ii"ccs-ar.\ hax nig been ;1 ~-,-ed on. I leii for Xew N ork to re- ,„„• there to Captain von Papen. \:- rived at New- York, i selected tblee m.n u .mn ended to me. acquaints' ! iliem ... ni, tlie main object of the -cbeii .•, a„d .: r:ei-l to pax them da.l.x wlnb in \,.., y,,; b. their einplox men; to ' ea-e ~v hen ll:.' ob'u ei o'\ our eUterpri-e .-lu.llld I - a ,, !,. „ achieved :in that ci-e the n'.eii .should til-o receive a bonii-. Kxpecting the arrival m the sa'lot - irom P.dlain.re, 1 -pen! : exeral ■' wait - .:■ -. n eaiiwhile mei ting von Pap. n ;n - ~,,, ntlv at the Ccrman Chib or at tin ' U 1 needed ney to fmin-ii ii;--' -aiiors with nooessario.-. Captain von Papon gave me a cheque payable to Brideeman Taylor, which cheque I had , ~..],,. i throuch the tigency ol an aeouaintni'ce, Mr Stalliord, memher m th-. (ii riiiiin Club. The 'men arrived, were qiiar'crc.l in -axaua! la'ieis: hul on my noticing wan mx nnueineiits- .xeie being v. .itched 1 sent them back to make the dcwtive'ihinls the enteipn-e abandoned 1 ton! Captain von Papen that n \um\<] be more easy for him to supply me with material.-, dynamite, and arms choaplv, on account of Ins connections, informing him that 1 could not get those materials except at a nrohibitive price. Von Papen then informed me that Captain TauscTTer. of Knipp s Agency, had agreed to furnish me with iiu,ee things, and told me to see 1- m at his office.

SKCTKIXG DYNAMITE. I saw Mr Tauschor, ati'l he gavo mo ;| . l.tirr of introduction to tho Dupont I'owdor Company, recommending H. ". Taylor and the coniptny supplied me with a" order to the bargee, in charge of tlio dvnamile barges lying on the Now Jersey side near the Statue of Liberty. Captain Tauschor told me he would'send tho automatic pistols by messenger to Kobokon, New York, to be delivered there to one of my agents at a certain restaurant, as ho would be liable to punishment it he delivered them in New York without having seen mv permit. The reasons why I did not apply to the police for a permit are obvious. In order to get the dynamite it was necessary tor me to hire a motor-boat ill ,-i place near 146 th street, Harlem, nnd to put the dynamite on board of the barge in suit-cases. After returnin" to the station, where I had hired the boat, I went in a taxieab, having two suit-cases with me. to the German Club to see von Papon, who told me t<> call for the generators and the wire again at the Club. I took the dynamite to my rooms, where I kept also a portion of the arms packed in email portmanteaus ready to be removed, the rest of the dynamite and arms being in the keeping of two of my agents, one of which was Mr Fritzen, discharged from a Russian steamer, where he had acted as* purser, the other one being Mr Busse. a commercial accent, who had lived for some time in En el and; the only other agent 1 employed besides C. Covani, who attended to me personally. Tucker not being entrusted with any of those tilings. Twi or three days afterwards I received from Caotain von Papon at his rooms at the club, in the presence of Fritzen and Covani, generators and wire, which I took to my rooms in a

tnxicab. After some days spent by conferring about the ways in which we would try to execute the orders given to mo. we started from Central Station. New York, ofr Buffalo, Fritezn, Busse,. and Tucker taking care of the dynamite and arms, Covani attending me. Arrived at Buffalo, I hired rooms at lflß, Delaware-avenue, had the dynamite brought there, and spent some days trying to get information about the precautions taken by the Canadian Government. Then I transported myself and three of the agents to Niagara Falls, New York, September 15. While still at Buffalo I received a telegram pent by von Papen and signed "Steffens," informing that John R-ypn. lawyer, had money and instructions. I went to see this man, but he told me he knew nothing whatever about the matter. I directly sent telegram to "Steffens" asking for explanation. September 16 received answer: "Ryan got money," On applying to the man again I received money, but no'instructions. HELD UP. Being thrown upon my own discretion, I determined to reconnoitre the terrain where I wanted to act first, hut to do nothing farther till I should toceive orders. On September 25 received notice from Ryan to come to Buffalo. _ Haying meantime"" received privately information that the Ist Canadian Contingent I thoui bJ recJ^^ohiect'oi.tke

necessary, and lotf with Covani for Now York l)y way of Buffalo. Raving arrived at New York I went to report to von Pa pen at the G. Club, and when asked by him why I had not acted on his instructions, replied that I h'ul not received any instructions from Ryan, and that I had temporised awaiting further orders. The matter having been explained to liis satisfaction, lie asked Nie if I was ready to go to Germany. Receiving a ivply. in the: affirmative, he said that lie would arrange with Count Bern.storff J'or my passage, and that J should present myself on my arrival at Berlin at the Department, ill. 8., General Staff. DANGER*) US 1 >KPOSITS.

Some days later 1 received from him L'utklols. to pay for my passage, although 1 had myself money enough, and 1 then paid off Covani, giving, order that he should remove from r. house in Fifteenth-street, New York. if 1 remember rightly, Nos. 113 or 115, two suit-cases, filled with GO per cent. dynamite. Whether he complied with the order f am unable to say, as 1 left the same day, October 8, for Italy. I received also from Captain von Papen a letter of introduction to tlie German Consul-General at Genoa, recommending me to him. This letter was written in favor of Horst von der Ooltz. Since that time I have had no communication with Captain von Papen. hollowing I will give some facts come to my knowledge connected with the enterprise, which I hjavo reserved because for some reason or other they do not properly belong to tlio narrative, but which, nevertheless, may prove of importance. Information, the accuracy of which 1 have no reason to doubt, has made me believe the United States Secret Service knew about the matter from beginning to end. 1 knew 1 wyis watched in Now York, Baltimore, and Buffalo, and telling Captain von Papen of this he replied that the man had on bus only to watch, but to interfere on no account.

His statement confirmed my suspicions, to which 1 arrived after careful deliberation. Before 1 left New York a messenger arrived at my rooms sent by Captain von Papen by previous arrangement, to rail for a portmanteau containing revolvers and automatics which were tc be used /igain when needed; among those arms was a revolver, "Colt's," having stamped on the holster "E\ Paso Arms Company," or something to that effect, properly 'belonging to me, and some other arms 1 put at his disposii it'll. There are still in the keeping of Mr Louderitz at Baltimore a box ol saddle, and a portmanteau belonging to me. ('. Covani is a private inquiry agon T ,

ami well acquainted with American >.b te< live ag nt.s. Hi> s|x-aks several la: guages fluently, and bus la en loriueri in the employ of Piiikertou's ami otln agencies. A'kires-. L'ol, Wis: Kit Mred. Ho eaiue U> nie Well recoil mended.

I received no remuneration for my sirvuvs, but the money 1 expended hotel lulls, travelling, and other private expenses was refunded to me. i'l course, all the money necessary for the, paynn tit of my men, expenses for them, etc., was paid to me b\ Captain von Tain n, in adx ance: only once pi' c|ie<|iie, all oilier payments being made to nie. in Pnitod Male- of America

I i eastiry not.es. xx ith Ihe exception - : ilie mo'ne.x I rec. ived through Byan xxhali consi.-iid <t ordinary banknoteBefore 1 I>. ft. New York i had soin. i-ouverMi.iiou with Captain von Papei ahull! the war. aud while speaking ■>

tbo i nd of the war, Captain von Papen -aid: "Should things start to bade bad lor ii-. there will be something happe i rver here.'' In eounceticn with other statements of his he speeiila'.t d oi. America, joining (lermany or on a possible uprising in the Pnited State.-.

Orders were 111 -"■*» sent t-y (|>t a m vnr l\:)K'ii to most/ of the Con-tils or innsulur agents in <-itu s near the Canadiao. liontier to assist me -with all mean- hi 11 leu* power. \<>N I'A PEN'S AYORK. I I'recpiently iva- present when Captaiu vo>n j'aucu reeeivcd inorniatio-i through men v,he came to see him about mailers connected with German. Irish and other .association.-., but I am unabi" to recall the exact topic ot the conversations. J was also present when von i'apen paid some of those men; at least, i saw Jinn giving them money. Captain von Pa pen informed me that he had been very short of money to bo used to gain information, till Dernberg had arranged matters.

The facts given above are all I am so far able to remember, my memory having suffered much through my eonlinement, but it Js quite possible that I shall later on be able to supplement the information i have now .given. 1 have made those statements on the distinct understanding that the state, mrtittf 1 have made, or should make : r, future, will not be used against me: that L am not t 0 be proceeded against for participation in any enterprise directed against the United Kingdom or her allies I engaged in at. the direction, of Captain von Rupert or other representatives of the German Government; and that the promise made to nie by am not to be extradited or sent to any country where 1 am liable to punishment for political offences, is made yu behalf of his Majesty's Government. Written by myself and signed 1 . Jl. v. uOLTZ. THE srv ORGANISATION. The following table of the names of the persons implicated was written by von del* Goltz and attached by him to his confession:

Buck, N.Y. —Received passport, recommended 1 Covani. Fritzen, N.Y. —Received and transported dynamite; tried to blackmail me.

Tucker, N.Y. —Acquainted with general scheme as proposed by Tuite. JBusse, N.Y. —Wont to Dupont's and

Tau seller. Covani, N.Y. —Acted as secretary; present when 1 received money from Ryan for distribution. Can identify

telegrams. Hausemunn (Erag. Co., N.Y.). —Knew of general scheme; offered to supply

guns. Leuderitz.— Hroposed passport; paid off men from steamer; introduced! me to

captain of same under my name—not nom-de-guerre. Tauscber. —Acquainted with scheme; friend of Papen; supplied automatic; pistols and orders far dynamite. Papen. —Supplied money, generators, and connecting wires. Instigator and generaLin-chief." Consul, St. Paiii. —Names not known to me. Had been informed 1 of plans and

ordered to assist me. Consul, Chicago.—Same. Had] been informed) of plans and ordered to assistme. U.S.&S. —Knew all about it.

Tnite, N.Y. —Made proposals, supplied maps and diagrams of canals, etc. xSemon, Buffalo.—Knew of scheme: assisted by putting at our.disposition 1119 knowledge of terrain. John ttyans Buffalo.—Received money and full instructions from Papen. Paid out money, but had no

instructions. Captain Hecker, N.Y., America. —Released by British authorities on parole to stay in New York; knew of whole scheme and assisted. Emipilioyeeg of Tauscher, of- Leuderitz. officers of ship.—Mostly 1 acquainted

with scheme. A translation of the letter of introduction by Captain;' von Papen to the Consuls at Baltimore and St. Paul is-given as follows: New York, 27,; VIII, 14. 1 request to Consuls in Baltimore and St. Paul to •give the hearer of this letter—Mr Bjidgeman Taylor—all the asusXanoe he may ask for. j- . YON *APfN> J