The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-01-20
english HASTEN INSPECTION.
CLEARING AMERICAN VESSELS
OF CONTRABiND.
Work Overtime to Prevent Vcxatious
Delays in Search OF Detained YES
scis--Sct Suspects Free.

London, Jan. 1G.-There is every in
dication that the foreign office and
admiralty are inaugurating a vigorous
policy for immediate search and re-
lease of foreign ships suspected OF
carrying contraband. In many cases
custom officials have been instructed
to work overtime in getting the con-
traband unloaded so the detained YES
sells may proceed.
While the Washington protest
against detention Of American vessels
doubtless had some effect. the better
ment in the situation probably is due
IN large measure to recent perfection
or the contraband department OF the
foreign office and to improvements in
the machinery for handling ques-
TONED cargoes. Delays to ships re-
Gently detained are being measured
now in days rather than in weeks.
The Associated Press is able to give
from official sources the British ex-
PLANTATION concerning the II ships
carrying American cargoes whose de-
tentirr gave rise to the representa-
tions to Great Britain from Washing
ton.
The Arkansas, a Danish snip, was
detained for complete examination
because it was held her papers were
not satisfactory. She carries con-
slgnments believed to be destined to
the enemies of Great Britain.
The Canton, Swedish, had on board
copper for the agent Of German
firm. Rubber she carried was re-
leased as a courtesy to Sweden al
though England was satisfied it would
have been condemned by a prize
court. The copper was held for rul-
ing by the prize court The Canton
reached KirkWall Dec. 2, was TAX
en- to another port for examination
and cleared that port December %.
The Virginia, Danish, arrived at
kirkwall December 2i and proceeded
to Newcastle, where she discharged
her consignments of rubber. These
were placed before the prize court.
She cleared port January Z.
The Augusta, Swedish, was detained
on December 20, carrying rubber and
aluminium. The aluminium was thrown
into the prize court, but the vessel was
peimiue" 80 ~ "c.od wiz. Jho "r.0vr.
The New Sweden. -H,d.su. arrived
AZ NWkwau pccouoer -. rarsj.
aluminium, nickel ana coup,, shc 80.
scn- 70 NeWc@4lc, Whcrc rGr custom.
service was directed to hasten her de-
parture. Portions OF her cargo under
suspicion were unloaded and The
ship proceeded January 9.
The Kentucky, Danish, arrived at
Kirkwall december Is, and was au-
thorized to proceed December % TO
Leith to discharge her cargo Of meat
known to be intended for an enemy of
Great Britain. The Kentucky strand
ed in Fraserburgh bay and Was re-
iloatcd December IS. Because Of the
accident and the position Of the meat
in the hold, a delay WAS unavoidable.
The Brindilla, American, formerly q
German tank ship, loaded cargo of
the interned German ship Excelsior
in the Azores in December. She was
not detained, but appears suhsequcnt-
ly to have encountered navigation .dif-
fculties and put into St. Heiens for
pilot.
The John ID. Rockefeller arrived at
the Downs December I6 with naptLa
and 0enZoin for Scandinavian ports
She was permitted TO proceed Decem-
Der "a.
The Joseph W. Fordney pet in at
Falmouth November % and cleared
two days later. No part Of her cargo
was detained
The Edward Pierce arrived at Fal-
mouth December . with 5000 ga!!u:e;
OF vaselinc consigned to Copenhagen.
The ultimate destination OF the Vase
line was under question. The vessel
was permitted to proceed Dcccm.
ber IL.
The George llawley arrived at i'al-
mouth December /, with a lar%c con-
siSnment of lubriCating oil, the de5tl-
nation Of which was called into qucs-
zion. Iecausc Of the unWilIinGnCe5 oi
the captain or owners 90 DISCHARGE the
OIL the ship was held until the end Of
the month. Then il was permitted tu
proceed With The oil as a courtesy 10
! the American embassy.
HUNTER MET TRAGIC DEfTi;