A SUSPECT DENOUNCED.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 278, 25 May 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

A SUSPECT DENOUNCED.

MAX WHO WORKED AT FRENCH EMBASSY. Mr James W. Gerard, former United States Ambassador to Germany, personally denounced a member of his party to'the French authorities as a suspect when his colleagues of the withdrawing embassy entered France at Pontarlier. Oscar Pflug, who obtained employment on the embassy staff in Mr Gerard's absence in the United States, is now held at the border for investigation. Pflug's case tad been carefully considered when he was employed. He is of American birth, but of German descent. His papers appeared to be correct. To Mr Gerard he was virtually unknown, as the Ambassador yas not thrown in direct contact with him. When the time came for the departure from Berlin, Fflug went along as a member of the embassy staff, Mr Gerard not being cognizant of all tie arrangements or of the fact that several persons who wore but nominal members of his staff, had boarded his special train. SUSPICION'S AROUSED. On the journey to Switzerland, rflug was unpleasantly conspicuous by his association with the German officer in charge of the train. By iris officiousness he gave his fellow travellers the impression that somehow he had something to do with the conducting of t»he train. At Berne lie was less conspicuous and at the French border he was one of the most retiring individuals in the party. On account of the schemes of outsiders to Ih> regarded as part of the Ambassadorial circle, the French at Pontalier were rather alert, rflug had ru.-hed his luggage on board the special train, which he had no right to do, and when it came to the notice of Mr Gerard, the young man was ordered off GERAHD TAKES A HAND. rflug was in the crowd of American-, some of whom had shadv titles to citizenship. when Mr Gerard suddenly became interested in him and took the examination out of the hands of the French authorities. Under questions Tflug became confused and presently was raii"'it in contradictions and statement-! that were known to lie untrue. Mr Gerard ended it by turning to the authorities and exclaiming, 'This man is a suspect." There was an immediate slump in Pflug's chances of getting anv further for some time.