Grand Forks daily herald., 1914-09-28
READY TO DELIVER
COAL TO GERMANS:
sailings Of Two Norwegian
Steamers Cancelled at Phil
a;delphia:-6yii1s. Ell j, Offered.
Colonel Henry P. Mccain.

Philadelphia, Sept. 28.--Proof that
the immense coal, ship stores. and
food cargoes of two Norwegian tramp
steamships, the Somersad and Fran,
now lying in the Delaware river, were
to be delivered to German battleships
Off the coast of South America, re-
suited today in the cancellations of
the sailing of both vessels from this
port and the cargoes will be taken of
tomorrow. Dictagraph records of a
conference in New York city, which
1t Is said, was attended by representa-
and Hassler brothers, claimed to be
charterers of the two ships, brought
to light the secret destination of the
cargoes, although the port records
show that both the Somersad and
Fran intended to sail for Bahia, Bra
zil. %.
Huge Bonus.
The promise of a substantial bonus
running into four figures to Captain
Axelsons of the Somersad and Captain
Grimmel of the Fran. as we'll as a
guarantee to the owners to protect
them against loss of any kind made
by officials of the Hamburg g-American
line, were other points of evidence ad-
duced at the conference and recorded
by the dictagraph.
Suspicion first was aroused in the
minds of the owners in Norway by the
varied nature Of the cargoes. There
were large consignments of coffee
made to Brazil. but the owners failed
to see any reason for their ships to
carry, coffee to Brazil in view of the
fact that the greater part of the
worlds supply comes from there.
The two boats were loaded in the
early part. of September to sail for
the Caribbean sea.
The sailing orders were changed
September 20 to Bahia, Brazil, osten-
sibly to supply the German battleships
in the Caribbean sea.
Both ships were chartered original
lv from the Norwegian owners by
they were in turn leased to the Ham
line.
Deny Charter.
New York, Sept. '2s.-Frederick e.
Hassler said last night at his home
that it was untrue that Hassler broth
ers had ever chartered the two Nor
wegian steamers held at Philadelphia
after discovery that they bear contra
band.
1.-The story that our firm had any
part In such a transaction Is absolute
ly untrue" he said. 1.-The statement
that any member or representative OF
our firm took part In a conversation
about the chartering Of vessels by the
Hamburg-American line for the sup
ply of German cruisers is untrue. We
have not transacted any business of
any kind with the Hamburg-American
line We never have chartered at any
time the two N rwegian steamers
have not acted for their own
ers in any capacity, and know nothing
about them I have heard Of the af-
fair at Philadelphia and am at loss
to understand how our firm has been
dragged into 1t in any way"
Hamburg Denial.
Julius T. Meyer, director Of the
Hamburg-American line, denied last
night that the line has chartered any
ships to supply German cruisers: I'VE
have chartered number Of ships at
various times" he said, ito supply
ships of our own line, but have never
chartered any ships to supply German
cruisers. I know nothing Of the pres
ent incident. I don't know whether
we ever chartered the two Norwegian
ships named for any purpose
Carl Buenz, q director OF the Ham
burg American line, who, according to
the dictagraph. Is said to have ad-
mitted that the Hamburg-American
line had chartered the ships to sup
ply German cruisers. was at his home
last night, but would not answer the
burg american line, who does the
of coal and supplies, could
not be reached last niEht at hia home.