Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-03-25
GERMAN OFFICER
DROPsDEAD0N
SONOMA DECK

Lieut. l'arl KRtzer. an officer in the
German reserves. who had been a
prisoner at the Liverpool camp near
Sydney, y. s. w. dropped dead on
the deck Of the Oceanic liner Sonoma
before the vessel had left the hafbor
on it's voyage to Honolulu and San
Francisco. The-Soaoma arrived here
this morning. ~
Cant. J. II. Trask stopped the yes
sci and summoned police assistance.
A launch visited the ship and the body
Of the German officer was taken back
to Sydney.
Lieut.. KutZer was among officers
captured by the British when they
took possession of German New
Guinea. He had been kept at the
detention camp with hundreds, CT 9TH
er. prisoners. He. was reported miss
ing some days before the Sonoma
sailed for the United. States A gen.
eFal search was made by the Sydney
police ON board all vessels then in
the harbor II proved fruitless
When the Sonolna left the dock,
Capt. Trask ordered roundup of
stcwaways. In One of the lifeboats,
concealed under a tarpaulin, they
found the German. officer more dead
than alive Heswas completely ex-
hausted.., When lifted to the deck he
dropped unconscious and death fol-
lowed a few minutes later. ~
From two German, companions it
was learned thai Lieut.. Kutzer had
succeeded in efdding the guard sta
tened at the prison camp and had
boarded the vessel four days before
the Senoma steamed for San Francis
CO.. He had failed to provide himself
with food or water, and was unable
vigilance exercised by the police. The
excessive heat then prevailing attSyd-
ney is believed. to have been the d.
rect cause of his death.
On the clothing Of the dead officer
was found number Of papers and
war. maps, 1t was said Kutzer, had
repeatedly refused to- take the oath of
neutrality offered officers and civil
ans from German possessions after
their capture by the British. = Kutzer
was popular with the German reserves
stationed at New Guinea. q. He. ap-
peared to be- we'll provided with
money. More than 800 was found in
his clothing. 1t, is believed that he
intended to- leave, his hiding place
soon after the S0hpgna had cleared the
Australian headlands, and offer pas
sage money to the United States.
The Sonoma was favored by fine
weather for the greater part of the
trip from Sydney to Honolulu. Ont
GERS say the embargo on the exporta.
tion of meat to Hawaii is still being
threatened. The commonwealth atf-
thorities profess to be satisfied with
the present arrangement, which pro-
vides for the shipment Of a small
amount of beef e they are assured
that it is to be used by the United
States army The expectation Of wool
and hides is carefully; guarded. The
Soncma brought a large quantity of
onions and fertilizer to the islands.
Meat for the local army Quartermaster
department totaled 1899 quarters.
The Sonoma came to berth at Pier
10 at 8 o'clock Four cabin, two sec
ond class and one steerage passenger
will remain at Honolulu. The through
passengers include AZ cabin, 55 Sec
ond class and % steerage. The ves=
sci is carrying bigthrough cargo of
Australian produetsk G. Brewer. e. Co.
announce the Sonofia will carry no
mail from the local postoffice. ALI
correspondence enclosed in Stamped
envelopes and left at the office SQf
the agents will be forwarded to the
coast =
The Sonoma is seheduled to steam
to San Francisco at 5, o'clock this
evening. About so passengers will
join the vessel at this port. .-.,.