The story
“Louise Wirth, a niece of Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the United States Navy, has the leading role in the forthcoming Thanhouser Mutual two-act drama For Uncle Sam’s Navy. Miss Wirth is a new recruit of the screen, but her work leaves the impression of a finished and practiced star. In the picture Miss Wirth plays a part that is similar to her station in every day life and she acquits herself admirably in many difficult and trying situations. Kathryn Adams and Edwin Stanley have the principal supporting roles in this thrilling and patriotic drama in which the intrigues and efforts of foreign spies come to naught through the bravery and courage of an American naval officer, who risks his life to aid his country.
“According to the story, an American admiral has invented a new kind of torpedo, which tests have shown to be the most deadly weapon yet devised. The head of a foreign secret service is ordered to obtain the plans of the invention. He, in turn, commissions Captain Rudolph, a trusted aide, to undertake the mission. Arriving in America the captain spreads the report that he is an American officer who had been reported killed in the Philippines, but had been held prisoner by the Moros. He is assigned to the admiral’s flagship. The captain has gained the confidence of his superiors, and the love of the admiral’s daughter but the one person who suspects him is the niece of the Secretary of the Navy. She feels certain that she met the man in a European country, but he insists that she is mistaken. The matter ends, until one day she catches him return the stiff salute to a man who had served in a foreign army, and had made no pretense of his nationality.
“She plans to watch the spy, tell him he is known and permit him to escape because of his sweetheart. That evening the plans of the invention are reported missing and the girl bitterly reproaches herself. She confides in the admiral’s daughter, and the two girls follow the captain and by a daring ruse manage to steal the plans from one of his subordinates. They are discovered and it is decided by the spies to put them on ship bound for South America. At this point the captain enters. A mysterious telephone call causes the spies to make their leader a prisoner. Then it is learned that the man was really what he represented himself to be, and that he had been serving his country all the time. Secret Service men break into the house and rescue the officer and the girls while arresting the spies.”
Summary from Reel Life · 20 May 1916
