Evening star., 1915-10-24
Movements of Numerous Small
Craft in American Waters
Excite Distrust.
COUPLED WITH DEsERTlON
OF INTERNED GERMANS
Governments Secret Agents Making
an Investigation-Raid on Com
merce Is One Theory.

Mysterious movements of small craft
in American waters. coupled with the
departure, without the permission of
this government, of German commits
stoned and warrant officers interned at
Norfolk, is furnishing a perplexing
problem to officials here. 1t has served
to set in motion the secret fnvestigat-
ing machinery of three branches of the
government, the Departments of State,
Navy and Justice. The secret agents
have been working on the problem for
several weeks. but SO far they have
been unable to fathom the operations
of the small sea-going craft.
Two theories have suggested them
selves to those directing the investiga-
tions. One Is that the vessels are being
mobilized for the institution of a new
many in the Caribbean sea, and the
other that they will be used in a series
of filibustering expeditions against
Mexico.
None Able to Solve Mystery.
The operations have baffied not only
officials of the Washington government
who are anxious to prevent violations
Of neutrality through use of American
territory as a base of naval operations,
but also agents of the British govern
ment. who fear a commerce raiding
campaign is about to be begun against
the tank steamers which carry oil from
Mexican ports for use of the British
navy.
The circumstances, which officials be-
lieve are all connected in general
way. follow:
l. The sudden departure of six in
termed German warrant officers from
Norfolk. in the motor yacht Eclipse,
provisioned for several days voyage.
2. The arrival at Buena Ventura, Co
lombia, of an American ship, Academy,
from San Francisco, heavily provi-
stoned. One of the owners of the Acad-
emy telegraphed the government here
that the vessel had no instructions to
go to Colombia. The captain of the
vessel claimed that he put into the CO.
lombian port for repairs. Some doubt
exists as to the real identity of the
vessel and officials have sent to the
American consul at CaIlao the registry
number of the Academy and have ask
ed for a complete description.
Alleged Theft by Mexican Pirates.
8. Two yachts-the Alameda and the
ventura-have. been lying at Key West.
Fla. for several weeks. Louis Van
Horn of New York city. who owned
them originally, Is understood to have
sold the Alameda to a Gen. Pasquero.
The Ventura was recently stolen, it is
claimed. from Key West by Mexican
pirates" and recovered by an American
coast patrol
I. An American sailing vessel called
the Two Sisters went aground on an
island of the coast of Louisiana re-
Gently. claiming to have come from
Mexico for repairs. Her status is un-
der investigation.
s. The American ship Zealandia left
Pensacola, Fla, suddenly at night with
large stock of provisions on board
for Tampico. Mex, and with a num-
ber of Germans in her crew. The ar
rival of the vessel at Tampico has
been reported, where an investigation
will be made. An American flag paint
ed on the side of the vessel originally
had been painted out. 1t is claimed
the vessel flew the German flag at sea,
but this has been denied by the owners
6. An American yacht Ethel disap-
peared from Jacksonville, Fla, within
the last few weeks, and has not been
found.
Advance Two Theories.
as to the meaning of this series of hap
penings. One is that wealthy Mexicans
in the United States are financing f1li-
clustering expeditions that have some
connection with the raids in the vicin-
ity of Brownsville, Tex. and the other
Is that small boats putting out from
the United States are being met at sea
and armed with guns of medium cali
Der for raiding purposes.
The latter theory originated when a
British tank steamer arriving in a
South American port reported that on
her way from Tuxpam, Mexico. she had
been fred upon at sea by a small boat.
The belief exists in some quarters
hero that a base of operations has been
established on an island near the coast
OF Haiti. whore guns have been ac-
cumulated for use on small boats that
are brought there from the United
States.
Great Britain and Franco have main
tained a patrol of cruisers in the Car
ibbean and the seas are being secured
for suspicious craft.
One Missing Officer Located.
omcials said last night they believed
they had located ono Of the two MISS
rich. Navy officials are said to be on
his trail and expect TO take him into
custody and return him to his ship.
The missing officers are Lieut.. Koch
and DR.. Kroneck.
COMMITTED WITHOUT BOND.