Glanders. My Kingdom for a Horse

By Simon Glyndwr John

This novel is inspired by the true events that occurred when war broke out in Europe during 1914. The economic powerhouse of the world, the USA, declared its neutrality immediately from the conflict. Britain began blockading the America’s eastern ports allowing it and its allies unlimited access to US trade but restricting German trade to only non-military items. To counter and undermine Britain’s position in the USA, German Intelligence began covert operations against her. This ranged from biological warfare on equines, putting firebombs on British ships, and transmitting anti-British propaganda in both English and German to Americans.
Every West European warring country in August 1914 was short of horses and mules. This animal shortage affected every army’s logistics and thus their initial performance on the battlefield. The best place for the belligerents to overcome this shortage was to buy equines in the USA. Britain had bought American equines during the Boer War, 1899-1902, when it had created a network of animal buying centres across the USA. Britain revived this network when war broke out.
As war broke out in Europe, Germany’s Military Intelligence Department in Berlin and its Secret Service Agency in New York implemented existing plans to combat British influence and its trade with the USA. Germany recognised that whatever they did might be interpreted as a hostile act by the American Government, if it was discovered, and might lead to the US joining the war on the Allied side. Biological warfare against the equines by spreading disease, was seen as an ideal way of attacking British animal purchases because the spread of diseases would appear natural and therefore hidden beneath American law enforcements prying eyes.
In the19th century huge numbers of German language immigrants arrived in the USA. Those immigrants and their descendants often still spoke and read German; many had the Kaiser’s photograph on their walls in 1914. The tens of thousands of German army reservists living in the US blockaded from returning to Europe became potential agents for spying purposes or for bombing factories producing ordnance for Britain and her allies. Americans from this diaspora, particularly scientists, took advantage of their background by studying or working in Germany. One such American citizen a scientist and a doctor then in the German army agrees to return to the USA and lead the biological warfare attack on Britain bound horses and mules. As an American citizen who would suspect what he was doing was for Germany?
New York’s Wall Street close financial connections to the City of London enabled Britain to borrow capital from US bankers easier than the Germans could. Britain had never had secret agents in the US before the war because it concentrated on Europe and the British Empire. The British Secret Service had nobody combatting or evaluating German threats to British interests anywhere between America’s east and west coasts.
Gareth Pugh, a writer of war propaganda in a secret British government, previously has worked in the USA. He was a financial journalist before the war is selected to be Britain’s Secret Service spy in the USA. Pugh plays a medieval game known as Real, Royal or Court tennis. A club near Wall Street, another outside New York, both have real tennis courts with ultra-exclusive membership but they both welcome players from overseas as guests.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon Glyndwr John
• Release date: Feb 3, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223804741

Simon Glyndwr John

London born with major interest in the First World War, Sport and Wales - where I now live.London League Publications have published on Amazon in October 2015, as an ebook, 'Go North, young man.' Set 1n 1961-2 against the background of the Cold War it tells the story of a Rugby Union player in Wales who must decide whether to play as a part-time professional in Rugby League.'My novel, a mystery, 'Death And The Hunter' is available on Smashwords. Set in the 1960s in a West Welsh industrial town it introduces Detective Sergeant Owen Jones as he investigates the body of an identified man washed ashore on a local beach. Meanwhile at home he and his wife also lock horns with their rebellious teenage daughter'Death in the Docks' is my latest novel. Again set in the 1960s Owen Jones investigates deaths in the town docks. The Cold War still rages for Britain as does the Hot War for Owen and his wife against their daughter.

Book preview

PART 1 AUGUST 1914 WAR

CHAPTER 1

As soon as his ship docked in Hamburg Count Braun went to see the Kaiser. Some bright spark suggested that the quickest way to Berlin was to fly. Count Braun replied that as his Imperial Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America he did not travel in some experimental contraption made of wood, wire and presumably sealing wax. Braun felt the train sent to take him to Berlin was adequate. He was looking forward to regaling the Kaiser his perceptions of the American President Wilson’s attitude to this new European War.

On the train Braun was briefed by a Wehrmacht colonel on the initial and resounding success of the German army against the French, Belgium and British armies in the west and the Russians in the east. People all over Germany were saying the war would be over by this Christmas. Glumly the officer added there was one problem interfering with a quicker victory - the lack of horses. The officer then described that the railheads, close to the Germany’s frontiers, were where the army held all its supplies.

The morose officer continued, ‘All ordinance and food is moved by horse or motor vehicles from the stations to the front lines. Horses’ limit for pulling a loaded wagons is set at fifteen miles a day. Our army has already advanced between sixty to ninety miles into France and Belgium, horses can’t cope with those distance increases. Motor vehicles could cope with such increased distances, but they break down easily. Already a third are inoperable, and they cannot travel on roads which had been fought over.’ The colonel paused, ‘The horse remains the backbone of the Wehrmacht – who’d have thought it in this century?’

‘A very faithful servant is the horse,’ responded Braun thinking that was what it was when he met the Kaiser.

When the train arrived in Berlin Braun was pulled off the train almost before it stopped, marched rather than escorted to a car, and shoved rather than shooed inside it. The vehicle roared off with an escort to the Imperial Palace. An impatient and hyper-active Kaiser Wilhelm II remarked as Braun arrived, breathless, that he had expected the Ambassador earlier and was not pleased to be kept waiting – he had a war to run.

The German Chancellor and the German Foreign Secretary were also in attendance at the meeting. Those two were parrots of or for the Kaiser. Wilhelm had appointed the pair specifically because he knew they’d agree with him, whatever he said. The pair’s mirroring of their ruler’s statements were however always more coherent, intellectual, and understandable than his majesty - Kaiser then had to be beyond earshot.

Braun had anticipated the meeting in which he, as Ambassador to the USA, would have an important role. He expected to tell the group that America was determinedly neutral. As a democracy though, the US might favour the French and Belgians because their countries had been invaded. Braun wanted to say how important it would be if he was to return to Washington as quickly as possible. His great knowledge of America and its people was paramount in not just keeping the USA neutral and out of the war but ensuring the US had as favourable view of Germany as possible.

The Kaiser began by praising Braun’s performance and longevity in his ambassadorial role. His majesty then said Braun would remain Ambassador for the immediate future and he must now remember there were new circumstances in his role, but he didn’t say what he thought they were. It didn’t matter to Braun he would work out his new role on his return to the USA exactly as he had done in previous years.

Finally, Braun got to speak. ‘Your Highness, I have a suggestion which I think will help us getting the American electorate on our side. The USA does not benefit from a ruler like yourself who is descended from a family noted for its gifted political and military prowess over centuries. The US, as you know, is governed by an elected person, currently President Wilson. President Wilson was only selected as the Democratic Party’s candidate after forty-six ballots had been held. President Wilson therefore was a compromise candidate over three other men perceived to be the front runners. President Wilson was even luckier in the national election. That election luck was the support he got from the large German American vote and the split in the Republican vote between Presidents Taft and Teddy Roosevelt, who polled between over fifty percent of the votes Wilson got elected President by only forty-one percent of the vote– so much for democracy.’

‘Democracy is so overrated – forty one percent! ’ scoffed the Kaiser waited a few seconds then, ‘Ambassador Braun I don’t need a lecture on President Wilson’s election. I control Germany’s military and foreign policy, so I have an immense work-load. Have you a point to make and if so,’ he frowned, ‘Kindly tell me what it is.’

Braun tentatively ‘Roosevelt may be a problem, sir. He is already a supporter of the US joining the allies in the war and critical of Wilson’s neutrality policy. Teddy Roosevelt whilst out of office remains popular in the US. Roosevelt may be a Presidential candidate again in two years’ time. We must keep a firm eye on him. We also need American voters to support Germany’s reasons for and aims in this war. Some Americans already support us, others need to be converted.’

‘How?’

‘Sir, I suggest we do that by buying American newspapers to use them to supply the American citizens with positive and uplifting information about Germany.’

‘Such as what?’ Responded the Kaiser.

‘German superiority over Britain. Germany has no Empire keeping people enslaved like the British do to the Irish. Those of Irish descent in America are, after that terrible famine of sixty to seventy years ago in Ireland, anti-British to everyman man, woman and child. I believe they are willing to do anything to achieve Ireland’s liberation. The Irish patriots who invaded Canada from the US in 1866 failed to achieve anything. With Germany behind them now, who knows? We can and should take advantage of the Irish in every way to our benefit.’

‘We will use the Irish,’ nodded the Kaiser, ‘We are talking to Irish Prisoners-of-War, to see if they will join the Wehrmacht to fight the British. Any other suggestions, Ambassador?’

‘We need to stress to all Americans with no German ties, our intellectual superiority over Britain and France by showing them that: we dominate world music through the compositions of Bach, Beethoven, Wagner and other composers too numerable to mention; we developed revolutionary educational advances in the teaching of technical subjects thus supporting our world leading engineers like von Zeppelin and Diesel; our scientific development has impacted the world through people like Robert Bunsen and Robert Koch; we introduced workers’ pensions – which the British under Lloyd George and Nowell copied; and the thinkers M…’

‘Don’t mention Marx or Engels to his majesty,’ commanded Zimmerman of the Foreign Office, ‘He doesn’t like to hear their names.’

The Kaiser remarked, ‘No I don’t. The British did produce Isaac Newton. Remember what inspired him to think?’ They all knew he didn’t want a reply, ‘An apple falling on his head! That’s the only thing that knocked sense into him.’ He started to guffaw with which everyone quickly joined.

Zimmerman chipped in, ‘Right, sir! We must remind everyone the British try to pull the wool over people’s eyes like when they claim Germans like Handel and von Holst as their own. The British made Holst drop the von from his name otherwise everyone would know he’s from German nobility and has no English blood.’

Zweig seized the moment to change back to the more important subject of the war, ‘You mentioned newspaper purchasing Ambassador. Why? There are scores of German newspapers, that support us, published in the USA like the New York Zeitung.’

Braun felt he was butting his head against a brick wall as he replied. ‘I agree there are many published magazines and newspapers supporting us. We estimate there are over five hundred German publications in the US. These range from, church news, to newspapers and journals and all support his Royal Highness and the direction he is taking Germany. We have some English language newspapers on our side. Most in that language support our enemies. As English is the language of the country which the majority of Americans either speak or if they are immigrants they learn. We should perhaps buy one or more English language newspapers to try and redress their English bias and reflect German views. I have one in mind. The Capitol Chronicle is owned by a good German, Dieter Marks. That English Language newspaper is based in Washington DC right at the heart of American Government.’

The Kaiser nodded this is the type of thing he wanted to hear, ‘Would he sell it?’

‘We could buy it, sir, and then agree sell it back to him after the war, at a slightly lower cost than we paid.’

Von Hollmann the German Chancellor pursed his lips, ‘Good idea. Anything else, Ambassador?’ He saw the Kaiser look at his watch.

‘Yes, Chancellor, your Highness. The Mexican Revolution is a cause of great concern to the US Government. US businesses are worried that they may lose control of the Mexican railways, banks and mines. If we can keep the Americans focused on Mexico, by encouraging Mexicans to raid across the US border to steal horses and cattle then that reduces the risk the US might join the Entente in a European war.’

Zimmerman snapped, ‘We tried that, Mr Ambassador. We used a German ship to carry arms from New York to Huerta’s army. Those weapons been legally bought by a man representing the Mexican Government – or one of the sides. What happened? The US Navy stopped us doing what we had been paid to do. I might add this by an American president who pleads non-violence. So, we are still in bad odour with the Americans for using one of our ships to carry arms to a country independent of the USA, and for us not kowtowing to the Monroe Doctrine.’

Von Hollmann added looking at the Kaiser, ‘That’s another problem with democracy, Your Highness. President Taft supported Diaz for Mexican President but lost the US election to President Wilson. Wilson supports Carranza who’s opposed to Diaz. Maybe the Americans don’t know what they’re doing so we can keep stirring the pot.’

Zweig joined in, ‘Ambassador, we tried to increase our influence in Mexico because Germany needs access to its oil and other raw materials we need now and after we’ve won the war. We sent the Wehrmacht Officer, Colonel Kapp to train General Pancho Villa in the military skills that would lead to his conquest of Mexico, assume the presidency, and to put him and his cohorts in Germany’s debt. Sadly, Villa’s moment in the sun has plummeted. Banditry, plundering, murder and thievery is now his modus operandi, not generalship and the conquest of Mexico. He turns out to have been the wrong horse. We’ll recall Colonel Kapp from Mexico as soon as we think he can extricate himself without being murdered by Villa.’

‘He’ll be stupid to do that,’ growled Kaiser Wilhelm. ‘If Villa murders a German he will pay for it - I’m not the Kaiser for nothing,’ he paused. ‘The money we spent on this Mexican imbroglio was a waste of money!’ He glared at the others in the room. ‘Money I now need for my army and my,’ proudly he thumped his chest, ‘Navy.’

Silence descended whilst the Kaiser gave the impression he was thinking. He might well have been. Eventually, ‘I need to see my army Chief of Staff immediately. Braun, I want you to go to the War Department Intelligence Office now. Talk to them about the USA. Good day to you all gentlemen.’

CHAPTER 2

Johann Braun arrived at the War Department’s Office. His earlier encounter with the German Head of State indicated his importance, here he was meeting a mere Lieutenant-Colonel – very demeaning. He pondered, what can I contribute militarily in, or to a War Department? His thinking moved on to Germany’s ally Austria-Hungary. Prussia on her way to becoming Germany, had beaten Austria in seven weeks fifty years ago. He smiled when he remembered the story of the Austrians hiding their army from Prussia in Bohemia. The Austrian Army was discovered only because someone in the German Military checked the prices of fodder in various Bohemian towns. Where fodder was the most expensive that’s where it was decided the Austrian army was. And it was there. The Austro-Hungarians then opened this war with a military defeat by tiny Serbia. Austria-Hungary’s military power had been in decline for a hundred years. Imagine what that giant Russia would do to it!

Braun shuddered as he then thought about the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador to the US, Ernst Ritter. Ritter only read detective novels - you don’t need a brain to do that. The day Austria declared war on Russia Ritter called on the German Embassy in Washington DC. The man was ecstatic believing that this would lead to the crushing of all the Slav nations and Austria’s chance to seize huge chunks of territory from the Russian Empire! Ritter’s gung-ho attitude to the war lasted a couple of weeks and Serbia’s crushing defeat of Austria. Everyone in Germany thought the war ‘d be over by Christmas. Maybe in the west but not in the east until Germany could switch its army there to rescue Austria – what an ally!

As Braun sat thinking he concluded maybe Germany’s war with Russia was a good idea. Germans needed land for its expansion and that was one commodity the Russians have plenty of. The chances of a successful German invasion he thought was good. The Tsar despite being the Kaiser’s cousin lacked the latter’s drive and vision. Russia’s army maybe big, but it was unwieldy, and it was led by men whose military rank depended solely on familial ties to the Tsar. Germans may slavishly support the Kaiser, but its army officers have first-class military brains and get promotions on merit not because of favouritism. Russia’s military was mauled ten years earlier by the Japan and that was not a European nation but Asiatic! What is the world coming to when that could happen? Whatever the Japanese can do, Germany would do even better.

Braun had also heard the Ottoman Empire might join the war on Germany’s side. He’d heard that on the train from Hamburg. He shut his eyes in despair – that was another waning empire even longer than Austria. He hoped the Kaiser and his advisors were getting their political decisions right.

In his mind’s eye he switched to the war with France. Germany had beaten the French in a few months forty years ago and it didn’t sound that any improvement had occurred in the French army since then. Indeed, the French seems to have spent more time recently over a Jewish officer’s, Dreyfuss, alleged spying for Germany than on preparing for an actual war with Germany. He laughed to himself the French had spent eons of time on Dreyfus only to find he was not the spy they sought - he was merely Jewish.

Britain with its tiny tinpot army wouldn’t be a problem. The Royal Navy threatened, but as the war would be over by Christmas that wouldn’t amount to much more than a string of beans. He looked at his watch, the man was late. Once I get into to see the colonel, I’ll give him short shrift about keeping me, the Ambassador to the United States, waiting.

A lieutenant opened the door and stiffly announced, ‘Lieutenant-Colonel Hoffman will see you now Ambassador Count von Bernstorff.’

Braun stood and stared at the clock. The meeting was ten minutes late so Braun frowned at the Lieutenant to indicate his displeasure. The officer stared back blankly – cheeky blighter thought Braun who’d expected an apology about the lateness.

Braun strode into the office and Hoffman stood and saluted before indicating the former sit. ‘I am sorry for the delay but in war,’ he threw up his hands. Braun went to say something, but the colonel continued, ‘It is an honour to meet you Mr Ambassador. You are someone who has represented both Kaiser and country so marvellously well in the United States these past seven years and maybe for another seven?’

‘I have and will if the Kaiser wants me to,’ Braun replied with a smug smile knowing Wilhelm had just done that.

‘Your knowledge of that great country I see as vital in this war. Many in the military think, unlike the general population, it will last beyond Christmas. Whether it does or does not the United States will be a vital cog in this war. TI doubt you need me to tell you that. Tell me about President Wilson.’

‘The President aims to keep the US neutral and out of the war. The general consensus amongst the population is to support his stand.’

Hoffman stared at Braun then, ‘Wilson’s intentions maybe so but events change things including important people’s minds - those who make the key decisions for a country. We believe the inhabitants of the USA are a gigantic mine of potential helpers to Germany’s war plans.’

Braun swayed back in his chair; his face wreathed in a frown. He didn’t like what he was hearing. ‘I’ve been seven years as ambassador in the USA. I pride myself by being open to ideas,’ he wanted to add, even from people who have never visited the country. ‘Exactly, colonel, what do you mean by a gigantic mine of potential helpers? I assume you mean German-Americans?’

‘It is thought that the German American vote put Wilson into office. America is also full of immigrants and their descendants from countries who loathe the British. For example, the Irish are seething that the Dublin Parliament scheduled for independence from the British House of Commons this year has been shelved because of the war. Most Irish Americans will see that for precisely what it is - an excuse for Britain’s continued hated occupation of their homeland.’

‘Ah,’ countered Braun ‘The Catholic Irish. May I remind you the Curragh incident, a mutiny by the British Army in Ulster was intended to stop that Irish independence from occurring this year. The incident nearly led to Civil War in Ireland and was caused by Protestants not Catholics.’ A knowing smile spread across Braun’s face. ‘Pity it didn’t. However, that Irish independence won’t happen whilst there is a war on – it’ll be set aside and promised to be implemented at the end of this war. Where we must make it clear, but surreptitiously, that we support Irish Home Rule. If we owned an English language newspaper, then we could support Irish freedom without people realising Germany is behind it. People often believe what they read however outlandish.’

Hoffman nodded, ‘We already have had discussions in Berlin, with Irish nationalists from both sides of the Atlantic. Those nationalists believe with German support an invasion of Canada by the Irish would succeed. Our response was, we’d help with money. We said we would not supply arms or military training to the potential invaders simply because both those are harder to keep secret than is money. If the US discovered that Germany was directly involved in the invasion of Canada that might force them into the war on the allied side.’

‘Yes,’ agreed Bernstorff. ‘Colonel, the USA has anti-German war-mongers like Roosevelt who would like nothing better than the US to declare war on us.’ He shook his head, ‘I don’t think we should give the Irish money.’ He hesitated for a moment, ‘However as Ambassador to the US, I cannot know anything about such a venture. As the official representative of the Kaiser and Fatherland in America one of my most important duties is to look after the welfare of German subjects now living in the USA. Those subjects would suffer if we were caught doing something which puts the US neutrality in danger. I must keep my distance from anything which endangers my position as ambassador.’ Again, he paused, frowned then continued, ‘In addition there’s a new institution called The Bureau of Investigation (BI). The BI was set up by President Teddy Roosevelt as a federal police agency. The BI is weak because it currently lacks political support. State politicians in the USA don’t want to have federal people invading their bailiwick – they usually have too much to hide. But if the BI heard a whisper of an invasion, they would investigate it and as a federal agency whatever they discovered Wilson would hear of it.’

‘I thought the US Secret Service performed that federal role?’

‘They did, colonel. Like the BI it lacks political clout. That lack of influence stopped the Service, under the Department of the Treasury, turning into a full federal police department. The BI was set up in the Department of Justice to rectify that position but hasn’t done so yet. The power of the two agencies may reside with how the president views either the two departments or who he appointed to manage them. Alternatively, this war may change either the BI’s or the Service’s role if we or the British are seen to be meddling in the US. ’

‘Does the US need such institutions?’

‘Colonel, there is uncontrolled lawlessness in many states. For example, there is the ability to escape justice merely by a felon crossing a state’s border into a different state and gets sanctuary. That sanctuary state may have a dissimilar judiciary system from the state where the crime was committed – they can get then get away with whatever they’ve done. Federal policing becomes a necessity in such cases - I think that was one of Roosevelt’s reasons for creating it. Another reason for the BI being created was specifically to stop the trafficking of women across US state borders for immoral purposes. It has begun to go further by concentrating on cross border activity not merely within the US but also their borders with Canada and Mexico. All the shenanigans along the US-Mexican border might lead to the growth of the BI – something we don’t want to encourage. I believe the US border with Canada is exactly the opposite of its Mexican one – as quiet as a grave.’

‘We could use the Irish in other ways than as an invasion army. Many Irish work in factories that produce war goods for Britain, France, and Russia and obviously we’d like to stop them manufacturing such items The Irish dominate labour in key ports on the East Coast through which those goods must travel. Perhaps we could encourage not just the Irish but German Americans to disrupt factory production and ship loading by strikes.’

‘I must warn you, colonel. The Irish groups in the USA are known to be penetrated by British intelligence.’

‘Yes, Mr Ambassador, we know that and what precautions we need to make. What we can encourage is just what the ordinary American citizen does.’

Braun looked puzzled, ‘Which is what?’

‘Blow things up. Italian criminals blow up their fellow Italian American’s shops in New York. They even blew up an investigative New York policemen from that force’s bomb squad when he was visiting Sicily! Then there are the anarchists, often also of Italian blood, who like to make bangs anywhere, anytime – apparently just to cause mayhem. Also fond of explosions are the Socialists! Socialists blew up an ex-governor of Idaho, the Los Angeles Times and engaged in gun battles with the very people who employ them. In Colorado the gun battles between Union and coal mine owners lasted a week and fifty people lost their lives. So, there is plenty of scope for our supporters to cause trouble whilst claiming they have no German connections whatsoever.’

‘Colonel,’ Braun wagged his head, ‘Maybe those are all plausible, but will they remain secret? If they don’t then I’m in trouble, not you!’

‘I appreciate that sir. We would be careful. May we now move on to somewhere else where your knowledge is important. Mexico! Our perspective is if the Mexican revolution was to rumble on then America’s eyes will be fixed on Mexico, and not Europe. A good thing from our point of view, Count Bernstorff?’

‘Absolutely.’

‘So, your perspective on that country and how we can take advantage of the revolution or anything else.’

Braun shifted in his seat, pleased that now he could demonstrate his vast knowledge. ‘I’ve kept a close eye about what has been happening on and across the Mexican border.’ He sat back in his chair. Time for a history lesson. ‘The Mexicans still resent the loss of land to the USA after their war in the 1840s. One major bone of contention for Mexicans living in those conquered lands like California, New Mexico, Arizona was that overnight they became American citizens. Those new American Mexican citizens were subsistence farmers and were unable to pay the swingeing taxes imposed by their new US state or the Federal Government. The farmers then either had to sell up, move to Mexico, or remained in poverty in the USA. When the railway arrived in those newly conquered land it brought with it white Americans. Some of the Americans had pots of money to buy farms from struggling Mexican farmers. Farms were turned into ranches – the bigger the better. This land acquisition is part of the relentless drive of Americans to conquer the continent – their destiny many call it.’

Hoffman interrupted, ‘Am I correct in hoping that those Mexicans trapped in the USA, would if they get the chance, cause America trouble?’

‘Absolutely. There are German businesses trading in Mexico who provide us in Washington DC with the intelligence that all Mexicans south of the border loathe the USA. Mexico wants their conquered lands back, governed by themselves and not by Gringos.’

‘Perhaps we can give them a push to start a border war? Something else?’

Braun looked stern. ‘There’s virtually a border war already alongside the revolution. It is not yet clear which revolutionary side is winning. We don’t want a Mexican democracy because it’s always easier to deal with an autocracy. I suspect it will be Carranza who will triumph because the US favours him and they think he’s a democrat,’ he sniggered. ‘Wilson allowed Carranza’s troops to move from one part of Mexico to another by train. A train which ran inside the US border. Inside the US is that a neutral act! So, if and when Carranza does become Mexican President, he would be beholden to Wilson because of his support. Mexico, I suspect colonel is unlikely to cause trouble for a few years whilst Carranza entrenches his position - then things may change. I am not hopeful that Germany can gain any benefit from the Mexican Revolution’s current situation. Anything else?’

‘Ambassador, money will be, or is, an issue for all countries. Britain and the New York bankers appear to work well together can we drive a wedge between them?’

‘Possibly. The crucial thing though is that almost to a man those bankers are Republicans. Republican bankers are no friend to a President who is trying to be even handed. Britain imports more than even we do from the USA which costs money. That money makes those bankers pro-British.’

‘It is clearly in your bailiwick, Ambassador, to see that the numerous German-American owned businesses and banks get behind the Fatherland albeit surreptitiously. Those organisations can do that by laying as many business traps for the British to fall into, as they can.’

‘I know my job, colonel.’

‘Of course, Mr Ambassador. Another point that we both know it was the German American vote which put President Wilson into power. So those voters too can have an important role to play in the war - admittedly in the future when he runs for a second term.’

Braun shook his head. ‘I doubt the German-American vote actually put Wilson into power, colonel. What put President Wilson on power was more the split Republican vote between Taft and Roosevelt. If the Republicans get themselves organised properly in two years’ time and the war is still going then the US may come in on the wrong side, particularly if Roosevelt again becomes the Republican candidate. The man’s a warmonger though I like him despite that. If the war does last another two years, then naturally I will encourage German-Americans to vote in elections for candidates who wish the USA to be neutral. In the meantime, I can and will encourage everyone with a connection to Germany to support our country with money. That seems all I can say as I must be leaving.’ Braun didn’t say why because he had no reason other than tiredness.

‘Of course.’

Braun stood, ‘Remember, colonel, we are lucky that Americans think that spying and intelligence operations are beneath them. We don’t want to do anything to change that perception. Don’t forget the rule of law is paramount in the US– except when it’s politically expedient to ignore it, just like anywhere else. So always give the impression you are abiding by it. American policing is territorial so ensure you or your agents do nothing which galvanizes the Bureau of Investigation and the Secret Service into acquiring new powers – remember if that happens, they will be federal ones – nobody wants that. Nobody!! Good day to you and all the best to your work for the fatherland.’

As soon as Braun had left the room Lieutenant Klein entered the room carrying a piece of paper. ‘This has just been de-coded, sir. I hope it’s good news.’

‘Thank you.’ Hoffman read the document and as he did a smile slowly wreathed his face.’ He looked up at Klein. ‘Yes, it is extremely good news.’ He wanted to burst out with the news, but secrecy was all important and as head of the department he had to lead by example. New York had found someone who was landing in England this week.

CHAPTER 3

Beck a German-American had met, unknowingly, Meyer a member of the German secret service, at a German language social in New Jersey on July 4th to celebrate both American Independence Day and the Germans’ role in its foundation. The assassination of the Austrian Archduke had occurred six days prior to American Independence Day. Beck mentioned in his conversation with Meyer that he was visiting Britain and Germany later that summer. One reason for his trip was to see the German villages where his parents were born. The British visit was purely to see London and Scotland - the latter always on an American tourist’s itinerary whatever their heritage. The two men discussed whether a war would result but neither thought one would. At the end of the evening Beck went home without giving Meyer another thought. Meyer thoughts about the meeting were the opposite.

As the European war clouds gathered through July and its possible eruption seemed likely to become a probability, Beck wondered if he should abandon his trip. The German agent, Mayer had told his superior Koch about Beck the day after the social. Mayer thought Beck’s enthusiasm for Germany and Kaiser could be used to gather information on the British part of his trip. Koch agreed and arranged to meet Beck informally.

The meeting was held in a restaurant in New Jersey where German was the premier language. ‘Mr Beck, we are setting up a tourist company for Americans who wish to tour Europe, the Mediterranean and Africa. You might think this an odd thing to do at the present moment but planning future tours takes time. Everyone tells us if the war erupts in Europe, it will clearly be over by Christmas. So, whatever happens we need to get our plans in order to take advantage of the 1915 holiday season. My subordinate, Meyer, thought of you as an intelligent man and as luck would have it you are going to Europe on vacation so who better than a tourist can evaluate countries and their facilities. Therefore, we would like to take advantage of you taking your trip to gather information. What do you think?’ Kock asked with smiling eyes.

‘I was thinking of cancelling my trip. Not now I’ll do anything to help.’ Sounded better than working for his father. ‘What would you want me to do?’

‘Nothing too difficult. What the company want you to do is evaluate hotels, places to visit, train services, food and any general information you think a tourist might need.’ He saw Beck’s questioning face. ‘Though you have no experience you’ll have an immediate understanding of what you like and dislike at what you do and see – the typical tourist. Learn as you go. You will be paid a