Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-28
GERMAN WARSHIPS
TO LOOK ELSEWHERE
FOR THEIR SUPPLIES
Exposure of Destination of
Steamships Fran and
Sommerstand Cancels Sail
ings-Captains Tell Their
Suspicious.

German warships in South American
and West Indian waters which have been
coaled and provisioned by vessels ou:
sources for supplies. The dictograph
exposure of the destinations of the Nor
wegian steamships Fran and Sommer-
stad, now at anchor In the Delawars
River, has disclosed the system which
made the violation Of neutrality possi-
BILE. owners, agents and others are
now rushing to cover The expose was
due to the efforts of Christian Moe,
Norwegian Consul at this port, and
Ralph NJ. Bullowa, a New York attorney.
1t was in Mr.. Bullowas office the die
tograph was installed prior to con-
ference between the masters of the ves-
sells, representatives Of the Hamburg
American Line and officials of the lu.er-
American Company. Mr.. Bullowa de-
clares that the Inter-Amer can Com
pany had chartered the vessels and then
rechartered them to the Hamburg
American Company. This is denied by
Julius p. Meyer director of the latter
company, who asserts that his company
has chartered vessels at various times
to supply ships of the line, but never
German cruierS.
Upon the advice of Mr. Moe. Captain
Axelsen. of the Sommerstad, and Cap
tain Grlnhelm, OF the FRAN, consulted
Mr.. Bullowa, after notifying their own
ers. the A. +. klaverness & Co, of
Taugesend, Norway, and H. VI. Wrangell
& Co., of Christiania, Norway.
CONSUL GETS SUSPICIOUS.
Consul Noes suspicion was first aroused
by Captain Axelscn and Captain Grirheim.
They told him they We're to sail under
sealed orders and things didn't look just
right" They said that they Were in duty
bound to the steamship owners to carry
the cargoes to their destinations but they
did not believe the owners knew anything
about the shipment of supplies 10 Ger
man warshipS.
A few days later the captains told Mr.
Moe that agents of the Hamburg-Ameri-
can Line had sent them offers OF big
bonuses for immediate sailngs. This was
during the time the masters of the steam
ships were awaiting advice from home.
The advice came and told them to con-
suit an attorney. Then the conference
with the dictograph as a witness was ar
ranged.
Nothing could be learned of the trans
action at the Office Of William J. Grand
field and Company. 31S Walnut street. to-
day. They are the local agents for the
steamships. They declined TO give the
name or names of the persons for whom
they were acting and further refused 10
affirm or deny that they knew the car
goes were meant for German cruisers.
1--WE will not discuss the transaction In
anyway" was all that was said.
The Sommerstad and Fran are two OF
six vessels with similar Carsoes on board |
cleared from this port by the Grandtie!d
Company. The first one was the Heina, |
which left on August ostensibIy FOR La
Guayra. 1t was reported that she had
been captured in the acts Of delivering
Nepos sailed on August %, the John Lud- !
wig Nowinckel on september and the |
Cnita on September S. on their clearance |
papers their destinations We're given as |
Spanish or Brazilian ports.
CARRIED COFFEE FOR BRAZIL.
Like carrying Goals to Newcastle" was !
the carrying OF coffee to Brazil by these |
steamships Another suspicious incident |
was the large supply of fresh water |
taken on board These aroused the Nor |
wegian skippers fears. They did not /
care TO risk Imprisonment in English or /
French prisons, but both emphatcally !
declared they feared most for the prop |
erty OF their employees. Difficulty was 1
experienced in getting crews for these .
vessels despite the fact that hundreds /
OF sailors are out of employment
Arrangements are now being made for /
the discharge Of the Cargoes OF the FRAN
and Sommerstad and in a few davs I
15O,O 600 worth Of coal and ship supplies .
which were scheduled for German war |
ships will be dumped back on one OF the /
pier and later delivered 10 the con |
signOrs.