New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-21
Clearance Papers of Ger
man Collier Found in
Fish Off PernambucO.
WALLET DROPPED
HASTILY OVER SIDE
Ship Had Coal for Won Spec,
Ayers Prosecutor In Case
Against Hamburg Line:

The trial OF Karl -Buenz, managing
director OF the HamburgAmerican
Line, and other officials Of the line for
an alleged conspiracy TO supply Ger
man warships in the North and South
Atlantic with coal and food may be
enlivened by the story Of shark that
was caught in Pernsmbuco Bay and
what was found inside the shark.
This is the story:
The Maria Quesads sailed from New
port News early in December OF last
wear with a cargo of coal. Her clear
ance papers stated Valparaiso TO be
the Golfers destination. But the
charge is made that the coal on the
Maria Quesada was really intended for
one OF the German warships under Ad-
miral Won Spec, then cruising about
the South Atlantic, seeking merchant
men of Great Britain and France. For
some reason best known TO The ships
captain. the steamer put into the port
of Pernambuco. Brazil. Il IS there the
story really begins.
Some one on the Maria Quesada
who did not want the Brazilian au-
thorities 10 come aboard and demand
TO see the clearance papers conceived
the idea Of painting UP one OF the
crew to resemble man stricken with
smallpox. 1t had the desired effect
But only for time.
Later boat filed with customs obi
cials from the Custom House move
alongside the Maria Qaesada. The
chief inspector said that smallpox or
no smallpox the inspectors were go
ing aboard to look at the ships clear
ance papers.
Papers Go To Feed Fishes.
"We have mislad them said one
of the officers Of the Maria Quesada.
"Wel. we will looh for them said
the Brazilian customs men and they
began climbing aboard.
Before the FIRST ono Of them reached
the ships deck some one Oh the other
side of the vessel dropped leather
wallet overheard. Some sharks Of the
man-eating variety were swimming
around the snip. One of them boited
the wallet. The search of the customs
men was in vain.
Three days later one OF the crew OF
e Brazilian warsh,p IL the haroor was
amusing himself angllnc Cor sharks.
He caught one eight feet long. He
ripped the fish open. and found inside
the b)dy leather wallet. In It were
the clearance papers OF the Maria
Quesada
If this IS doubted. II. Snowden Mar
shall. United States District Attorney,
who will prosecute Buenz and his as
sociates when they are srraigned be
fore Judge Howe in the United States
Circuit Court tomorrow. will tell you
that one of the government witnesses
is prepared to tell this story under
oath. But whether he will be called to
the stand remains &c be seen.
Ready for Sea Fight.
The government is prepared 70 show
az the trial that Germany had stationed
its fee of sea raiders in South Amer
icar waters before Austria declared
war on Serbia-the beginning Of the
Furopean conflict II is also prepared
TO show that the dav before Er gland
Jumped into the fight the Thor, O. e OF
tho vessels alleged TO have been sent
an. 20 coal the German warships. n
Newport News TO supply one o. u
German ships.
Two DAYS later. August 3. 1914. the
Lorenzo and the Berwind left Newport
News on a similar errand. IL is charged,
and on August the Fran and the
Sommerstad left port, with fraudulent
clearance papers. ii is alleged. Other
ships were chartered b. Germany be-
fore the declaration of war TO leave
Pensacola and San Francisco. All OF
which also goes 20 show the extent OF
German preparedness.
The only unusual happening yester-
dey was the breaking OF front tooth
of Walter A. Scholz. brother-in-law OF
Lieutenant Robert Fay. How Scholz
broke the tooth he did not know, but
dentist was required. John c. Knox,
Assistant United States District At
torney. had 10 give his permission be
fore dentist could visit Soholz. who is
under Indictment in the Tomhs.