Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-09-07
NIAGARA MAY
Have been TAKEN
BY NUREMBERG

sian liner Niagara, flying the British
colors and carrying 900 passengers,
officials and crew, fan a prize to the
German cruiser Nurnberg when but q
few days out of Honolulu? Has this
investment of more than $4,000, 0n0 be-
come spoils of wa for Germany? Did
the Nurnberg. touching at this port
September l ostensibly for coal, come
TO secure Teservists rather than fuel
and provisions?
These are questions that today are
receiving serious consideration OF
friends of the passengers bound for
Australasia in the British liner which
stole out of Honolulu harbor August
IS after remaining off port for five
days awaiting Instructions from its
owners in New Zealand before pro-
ceeding.
Nurnbsrg's Visit Develops Mystery.
When the Nurnberg arrived here
her officers declared that the vessel
had not called at any port since de-
parting from Honolulu on July 26,
yet when federal officeTs boarded the
cruiser on the morning of its second
appearance off the harbor they found
a shortage of about 30 men in the
crew, while several officers, presum-
ably reseryists, had Joined the vessel.
Whence did these officers come?
What became of the. score of
seamen belonging to the complement
of the Nurnberg on the occasion of her
former visito to Honolulu Where
did the German cruiser secure her
big supply of fresh vegetables, kept
concealed in specially constructed
bins on the upper deck? Why was
about 40 tons of coal left in large
lighter in the hurried departure Of
the Nurnberg on the night of its
steaming from the harbor?
From reports received in this city ii
was stated that the Nurnberg was at
the Marshall islands, about 1000 miles
to the south and westward of Honolu,
lu August Il. s.-..
Niagara Now Much Delayed.
The Niagara, departing from Homo
lulu on August IS, should under ord
mary steaming conditions reach its
destination at Sydney, N. s. W., in Is
days. In following the schedule the
Niagara should have been reported
as arriving at the Australian port on
September 2. 1t has been remarked
in local shipping circles that the Nj.
agara has not been heard from
through wireless or cables since
steaming from Honolulu, no mention
Of the vessel at Suva, in the Fills, or
at Auckland, New Zealand, having
been made by the local representa-.
tives. Ill. a..:.~.II....
Inquiry at the agency of T.. H. Da.
yies Il Company this morning devel- |
oped the fact that no. word from the
Niagara had so far been received.
1t was pointed out. however, that
perhaps the vessel had been diverted
on its course to the southern CONT
nent. II such were the case local
maritime men believe that the liner
with its speed of between IL and 20i
knots, should have reached its des-
tination several days ago. i
Much speculation has followed the
absence of definite report from the
Niagara. Captain j. T. Rolls is rated
as careful navigator and he was
kept well informed concerning the
purported movements of the cruisers
of hostile powers.
Nurnbere Officers Spninxlike.
Sphinxlike was the silence maintain
ed by officers in the Nurnberg, under
instructions of Captain Won Schoen,
berg, during the stay of. that cruiser
In this port last week. That this YES
sci, steaming from the Marshall, or
some other nearby south sea island !
base, could easily have overhauled the
Niagara and taken 1t to some seclnd-
ed spot in the southern Pacific, isl
quite probable. Here number of
men might have been placed aboard
and a large portion of supplies and
the valuable cargo removed. 1t isl
also believed that several German pas
sengers in the Niagara, discovered to
be reservists, might have been taken
on board the Nurnberg. =.--. .
Several water-fronters today profes-
sed to recognize in the men who were
found to have joined the Nurnberg
since its former visit, the same Ger:
mans who some weeks ago were
among the passengers in the British
steamer Niagara. -, IT. "
If this Identification is later thor
oughly established the fate of the Nj
agara would appear to be sealed
Four German + officers. in civilian
clothes, who arrived in the Surnberg,
absolutely refused to state from
whence they came.
I'VE are here, you can guess the
rest" was all they would say in re-
ply to much quizzing caused by their
mysterious appearance.