New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-05
JATERLAND TO FLEE
AS GERMAN CRUISER

She ceased to be the property OF the
Hamburg-American Line.
While the coaling was being rushed
the provisioning was carried on with
equal energy. Desperate efforts were
made 70 keep all this secret. Heavy
guards were placed at the pier head.
Pick of Reservists Aboard.
During all this German agents quiet
~ selected from the lists of the avail
able reservists the pick OF them up to
the number of eight to ten thousand.
To these preliminary notices were sent.
In substance these notices read: BE
prepared TO embark on ship, which
will be later designated 10 you, on IN
slant notice
The plan. as outlined yesterday 70
The Tribune by officers Of the reserv-
lists. is this: The proper authorities
here will decide upon the most favor
able moment for sailing. They VIII
reach their decision as many hours m
advance as possible, but these hours
will necessarily be few enough. When
this decision is reached the reservists
10 whom the preliminary notices were
sent will be ordered 10 report at once
TO the Naterland's pier.
As fast as they arrive they will en-
bark. 1t is hoped that the machinery
will run smoothly and that when the
queen Of the sea" slips her moorlngs
she will have on board not fewer than
5000 men Of military experience, who
have signifed their eagerness to re-
turn and fight in defence OF their "a
therland.
Whether she has 5000 or 500 the
sailing hour will not be delayed, for
the German government has greater
present need of the Vaterland than she
has Of 10000 reservists. who would IN
any event be sent TO training camps or
t. garrison duCv instead of to the nrlng
line Her chances of reaching a nome
port in safety will not be Jeopardized
through any delay in the reporting and
embarkaticn Of reseryists, should any
occur.
Sailing Time Secret.
She will slip quietly. away IN the
darkness Of the night. probably be-
tween the hours OF 10 and 3. Whether
or not clearance papers will be asked
no one can say. The German govern
ment may prefer TO bear the penalties
which this government imposes rather
than get clearance papers and notify
tho world thereby that the Naterland
purposes to sail. secrecy as far as
secrecy is possible will be strictly
maintained. 81,
Commodore Hans Ruser himself will
probably be trusted TO steer the giant
safely through the Ambrose Channel
ard out 20 sea. A pilot would be an
embarrassment. Once outside tho
three-mile limit all pretenee VIII De
discarded.
The Stuttgart. the Dresden, the ksrls-
ruhe. all swift, powerful, armored
cruisers. will be right there to pick her
I'd. also to protect her from lurking
hostile cruisers. Nor Is II beyond the
realms of possibility that the sound OF
their guns in action may be heard by
New Workers lying safely IN their beds
for English cruisers last night were
within easy reach of this port, prowl-
INK along the coast line, lights out on
business OF their own
If peaceful conditions prevail, now
ever. the work Of transforming the
Vaterland into an armored cruiser VIII
be begun al once. Each of the three
cruisers carries special additional equip
ment Of rapid fire and machine guns
light 3-inch field pieces and torpedo
tubes. These can be transferred 70 the
liner with ease and quiekness. They
can be as easily and quickly mounted
on her decks, for the Vaterland was
built with such an emergency in mind,
and though a passenger ship, places
were prepared for the mounting OF
guns.
Shift Arms at Sea.
Ammunition and small arm equip
ment will be shifted from the cruisers
with all possible speed. and II is be-
lieved that within a few hours the
Vaterlsnd will be on her way across
with sufficient armament 10 permit her
to stand of small cruisers.
The secrecy with which everything
pertaining 20 the ship is being guarded
is shown by the fact that although in
farm tfon reached certain German Of