Its purpose is to let the American people know the danger that lurks within; to sound the alarm so that every man may be on his guard; to show the grave necessity for preparedness against a foreign foe, and particularly numerous alien enemies within our borders.
If it serves in a small measure to accomplish its high aim, its author will be amply repaid because he will have rendered a great service to humanity, and above all to our country, which we love more than all else, save God.
Roger B. Wood.
CONTENTS
| CHAP. | PAGE | |
|---|---|---|
| I. | —America: The Background of the War | [13] |
| II. | —Captain Franz von Papen, Director of Germany’s Military Enterprises on the American Front | [27] |
| III. | —Captain von Papen, Buyer of Passports and Promoter of Sedition | [70] |
| IV. | —Von Igel and Koenig, Two of the Kaiser’s Faithful Workers | [88] |
| V. | —Captain Karl Boy-Ed, the Emperor’s Social Dandy and von Tirpitz’s Tool | [113] |
| VI. | —Captain Franz von Rintelen, German Arch-Plotter | [144] |
| VII. | —Captain Franz von Rintelen (concluded) | [168] |
| VIII. | —The Story of the “Lusitania” | [186] |
| IX. | —Dr. Heinrich F. Albert, Germany’s Bagman and Blockade Runner | [204] |
| X. | —Ambassador Dumba, Germany’s co-Conspirator | [229] |
| XI. | —Germany’s Lobby in Congress | [242] |
| XII. | —Changing the System | [252] |
THE GERMAN SPY IN AMERICA
CHAPTER I
AMERICA: THE BACKGROUND OF THE WAR
America has been the great background of the European War. Though far removed from the trenches with the play of artillery and the heroic charges, this country has been the scene of an equally dramatic, though silent struggle—a battle not visible to the eye. It has been a conflict of wits, of statesman pitted against statesman, of secret agent striving to outdo his opponent of a belligerent nation; for in America, agents of Germany have been striving for a two-fold aim. They have sought to enmesh the United States in an international conspiracy and to use this country as the means of a rear attack on the Entente Allies.
And New York has been the centre of it all. In several of the huge office buildings that make the thoroughfares of the city seem like canyons, Germany had, and still has, the headquarters of a vast nerve-like system radiating throughout the country. The nerve coils are composed of thousands of secret agents located in every city and town. These men have worked under orders from Berlin in the execution of a series of campaigns designed to be of service to the Teutonic Allies. Against these men have been pitted agents of the American government, all aiming to detect the schemes and frustrate any plans for the violation of our neutrality laws.
A diplomat, famed for his finesse and grace of manner, was at a reception given to distinguished statesmen, talented business men and attractive women. The conversation was turned to the topic of spies. One woman wished to know if the diplomat had encountered any spies.