The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-06-24
HOW S. M. !. GAZELLE
CAPTURED RESTAURADOR.
German Officer Tells of Capture of
Venezuelan Prize.

German Officer Tells of Capture of
Venezuelan Prize.
The Gazelle, the swift second class
German cruiser, which was inspected
yesterday by thousands of Savannah
ians, is the same fighting craft which
for three months, last year, effectively
assisted in the blockade of Venezuelan
ports, and finally eliminated a remark
able campaign by the capture of the
Venezuelan cruiser Restaurador.
Capt. Turk. the first officer of the
Gazelle, has in his log book, as re-
membrane of the memorable engage
ment with the Restaurador, and the
sensational aftermath, most interesting
articles which impeaGh the good faith
and honor of Commandant Chalbaud of
the captured Venezuelan ship.
These interesting keepsakes We're
shown to a representative of the Morn
ing News by Capt. Turk in his quar-
ters aboard the German cruiser yester-
day. When Capt Turk desired the
Restaurader to surrender he sent a
communication to Capt. Chalbaud call
ing upon him to surrender. To this
the naughty reply was sent: 1--WE are
6CilllCliiCll VI uOlOT, SOIQlGfS ana pa
triots; If you will come, do so al your
peril"
At Guanto the Gazelle surprised the
Restaurado while her officers were at
quarters. Capt. Turk himself, point
ing pistol in the face of the Ven
ezuelan commandant, called upon him
to throw up his hands. The Venezuelan
quickly complied, al the same time
calculating: 1T was too quick for
mo- n Of bo
Capt. Turks sisters presented him with
a handsome souvenir representing, in
silver, the surrender of the ReStaura-
dor
The Venezuelan craft was kept by
the German government, in charge of
Capt. Turk until peace was declared
some three months later. When the
Restaurador was, according to the code
of warfare, returned to the Venezue-
Ian government, it happened that Capt
Chalbaud was the officer to receive his
former charge. At that time Capt.
Turk insisted on taking ap inventory
of all articles on board that it might
be ascertained that the vessel was re-
turned as she was captured
To this the Venezuelan commandant
objected, saying that it was useless
since he knew everything was safe and
secure, and just as he had left it, But
Capt. Turk insisted on an inspection
In company with Lieut. Won Rosen-
burg, the son of the famous German
cavalry general of that name, and of
Lieut.. Lorey and other of
ficers of the present crew,
and with Capt. Chalbaud and Off
GERS of the Venezuelan government, he
made thorough inspection of the ship.
At the conclusion of the inspection
the Venezuelan commander expressed
himself as highly pleased with the ex
cellent condition in which he found
everything, and, at the suggestion of
Capt. Turk. gave him a written state
ment to the effect that everything was
in its place and that the action of the
officers in the premises should be COM
mended.
This receipt, or acknowledgement, is
in Capt Turks log book On the OPP
posite page appears a clipping from
the Constitutional a Venezuelan paper
at Caracas, in which the commandment
of the Restaurador only a few days
afterwards. attacked the officers of the
Gazelle, calling them thieves and rob-
bers, and charging that they had prac-
tically Quilted his ship of its contents.
The article is of incendiary character,
the headline, "Ladrones!" extending
half across the page.
That shows you what these Venez-
uelans are" said Capt. Turk. as he
closed the book, which held the mute
Impeachment; land you Americans
took their part once, did you not?"