Learning American Secrets

A naval oflicer today, ín speaking about the presence of foreigners in the navy, told the following story: "I was sent to Europe not long ago on an important errand, and it becanie niy duty to form the aoquaintance oí' foreign naval officers, in order to acconjplish certain ends I had in view. 1 met many of them at dinners, receptions and entertainmcnts, and was surprised to find out how well they were infornied on American naval affaire. I had qccasion to go to Kiel, Germany, for the purpose of visiting the dockyarda there. I feit sure that my credentiala would adniit me to inspect the place, but they did not. I tried a little game of getting the desired pass, by reaching the officials through the use of wines and fine dinners. One day a fine looking Germán officer met me as I was coming out of my hotel. 'Helio,' said he, slapping me on the shoulder, 'have you got in yet?' He spoke such pure English that for a moment or so I was nonplused. " 'No,' I replied, 'will you get me in?' " 'Ican't;'and thereupon heremarked: 'it is easier to get into your yards than ours.' "I looked at the officer intently and found by his uniform that he was tlio chief naval constructor, and the man of all men in the Germán navy that I wanted to meet. 'Will you take a glass of wino with me?' I asked. He consented, and we returned to the hotel. "Af ter a few minutes' conversation we became quite friendly, and I was surprised at the insiglit he had of our naval officers. Ho astonished me by inquiring about certain oflicers who were at the New York navy yard during the late war. I could not restrain my curiosity, and I asked him: 'How did you become acquainted with the officers?' 'The story is a short one,' he replied. 'When the war broke out in 1861 1 was in the German navy, and I got orders to go to America, and study your rnethods of building ships and getting guns ready for use. When I got to New York my dress was that of a plain Germán mechanic. I got work as a carpenter and ship joiner under a fictitious name, and in a short time I got used to the nickname '"Dutchy." Nobody knew me, and my curious questions were never suspected, and the workmen readily and in a good humored way answered them. I helped to build and repair ships, and in time got hold of much infomiation. I made plans of the vessel, machinery, guns, rigging, and, in fact, got on to everything. I worked hard at night in my room, and kept my government as well posted as I could. The more English I learned the better I understood things that the workmen said in my hearing. I worked on the big ship Dunderberg; also on the Merrimac, at Norfolk, and on some of the monitors. I sent much valuable information home. Now you see the reason why you can't get into our yard.' "The narrative was straightforward, and was so full of facts conceming men and aff airs that I readily saw how the Germán naval constructor got on to my visit, and, although I tried to convince him to the contrary, he was not to be hoodwinked. I know where Kiel is, and that it has a doek yard, but 111 have to f o to Kiel as a Qerman mechanic before can get inside of that place. This shows how nocessary it is to keep an eye on foreigners in our navy yards if we want to keep our secrets."