Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1918 — Nab German Officer In Act Of Applying Match. [ARTICLE]

Nab German Officer In Act Of Applying Match.

' Norfolk, Va., Jan. 14. —Government detectives arrested today Lieutenant Spoorman of the German army as he was trying to apply a match to the magazine in the navy rard at Portsmouth, which would lave caused a disastrous explosion that might have wrecked the city and many war vessels. • Spoorman wore the uniform of an American naval officer. A letter was found on him from Captain Boy-Ed, former naval attache to the German embassy in Washington, showing that he had received $95,000 for spy work.

Spoorman came to America on the German submarine U-53, which caused so much excitement when she turned up suddenly at Newport in 1916 before the United States was at war with Germany. The object of the submarine’s visit at the time was not disclosed. It was supposed that she merely brought messages for Ambassador von Bernstorff.' Her commander, Captain Hans Rose ,and some of his officers went ashore at Newport. It was not known that she landed any persons to remain. The capture of Spoorman reveals now that she had put ashore at least one spy. The attempt of Spoorman to blow up the magazine is reported as part of a widespread plot. Eight confederates are known and will be rounded ijp. A wealthy cit-‘ izen of Baltimore is said to be concerned.