Evening star., 1915-03-22
Hamburg-American Steamer
Attempts to Leave Porto Rico
Without Clearance.
SAID TO BEAR SUPPLIES
TO BELLIGERENT AT SEA
Authority for Holding Vessel Given
in Congressional Resolution-In-
vestigation Is in Progress.

The Hamburg American liner Oden-
wald, stopped from leaving San Juan.
Porto Rico. yesterday by shots across
her bow. is being held under the re
cent congressional resolution empow
ering the President to prevent sup
plies going from American ports to
ships OF the European belligerents at
sea.
Secretary Garrison is making a
thorough Investigation Of the Oden-
wald,s case in connection with the
Treasury Department officials and the
White House.
Under the resolution the President
was authorized to direct collectors e
customs under tho Jurisdiction of the
United states to withhold clearance
from any vessel, American or foreign.
which he has reasonable cause to be-
1ieve to be about to carry fuel. arms.
ammunition. men or supplies to any
warship or tender or supply ship of a
telligerent na.ions in violation OF the
obligations OF the United States as
neutral nation"
Further Clause in Resolution.
II further provides that 'in case any
such vessel shall depart or attempt to
depart from the jurisdiction of the
United states without clearance for
any OF the purposes set forth, the own
er or master or person or persons hav-
ing charge or command OF such vessel
shall severally be liable to a fine OF
not less than $4,000. or moro than
$4,000, or to Imprisonment not to ex-
csed two years, or both, and, in addi-
tion, such vessel shall be forfeited to
the United States"
officials would not disclose what
grounds they had for believing that the
Ddenwald came under the terms OF the
resolution.
This report was received today from
Lieut.. Col. Burnham. commanding the
Porto Rican regiment:
Hamburg American commercial
steamer Odenwald attempted to leave
this port about this afternoon March
Ell without clearance papers. At re-
uuest Of collector of customs to pre-
vent departure and In compliance with
Instructions In your telegram March
80, warning shots were fired with ma
chine guns and shot across her bows
with five-inch rifle from FL MORO. She
then came to anchor under Ell MORO.
None were injured. Ship returned to
hcr anchorage in the haroor.
In presence of collector OF customs
March 10, I personally informed and
warned German consul and commander
Of Odenwald that force would be used
lf necessary to prevent vessel leaving
without clearance.
Inspection Is Refused.
II was learned here. however. that
the Odenwald was warned that she
could not leave San Juan until the port
pfficers had an opportunity for a thor
pugh inspection. Permission for that
was refused.
Onicials here feel convinced that the
odenwald, while not loaded with sup
plies of coal and food that are usually
carried by merchantmen. may have n
tended TO At out on the high seas with
guns and ammunition. as an auxiliary
cruiser, like the Prinz Eitel Friedrich
now lying at Newport News.
Local officials II Porto Rico suspected
that the Odenwald was planning to
take that course and had the United
states consented to her departure un-
der the circumstances, it was held by
the State Department. that 1t thereby
might have created another Aiabaroa
case.
Assistant Secretary Peters of the
Treasury Department, who is looking
suitation today with State Department
officials.
Reasons for Suspicious.
FIRST reports from san Juan did not
show any unusual Quantities OF coal
or provisions aboard the Odenwald.
recording to Information in the posses
Eion of the State Department but there
eere many circumstances accompany
ing her preparations for sea which
sroused the suspicion of the American
authorities. The fact that the Oden-
gald had been in port since August.
vas slow boat and apparently will
Ing to sail for German port that is
tlockaded. all led to the conclusion
n an AZ fgvz tnF Na...
IT was believed in some Official quar-.
t.rs that If she got to she might
transfer some Of her stores to the cor
Verted cruiser Kronprinz Wilhelm, re-
Gently reported of the east coast of
South America, and more recently re-
ported by rumor not far from Porto Rico
When the odenwald began to take on
provisions customs inspector was put
aboard her. Just before she made her
unsuccessful dash out Of San Juan har-
Dor the inspector was told to go ashore
and when he refused was put over the
side into small boat.
Vessel Fails to Heed Warning.
SAN JUAN. p. r., March c2-The
German merchant steamer Odenwald
which attempted to leave port ye.ter.
day afternoon without obtaining clear.
ance papers. was stopped as she was
passing out the entrance to the harbor
u
five-inch gun and direct shots from q
maxim She then returned and wa.
taken in charge by the collector OF
customs.
Permission to sail was refused the
Odenwa by the collector pending in
s,ructions from Washington Tn.
steamer has been at San Juan since
august q. She was bound for Euro
iesin ports from the West Indies Will
freight and passengers. and sought
refuge mere. Three lIEk she OeYar
coaiing and taking on provisions.
Failing TO obtain the necessar,
clearance papers, her commander ap
parently decided to risk the attempt tS
put TO sea. heavy gun on Morrt
Castle sent two shots across her bow
I'm way OF warning. but it was not unit
The machine gun opened direct fire tina
the steamer stopped and headed bacl
TO port
Pone Henedicf praua foz noaa>