The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-07
Declares That Ship Had Been
Searched and Had Been Pro-
missed Clearance Papers
Lodges Charges
Against Americans
Makes Grave Implication
Against Honesty. Fairness
and Neutrality of United
States Authorities

Washington, April 6.-Oficials
here were asioundcd today by the
publication by the German En-
b;lssy of serious charges against
the United States Government In
connection with the German
steamship OdenwaId, which WIS
forcibly prevented from leaving
san Juan. +. r., without clear
ancc papers These charges
constitute grave implication
against the honesty, Fairness and
neutrality of the United States.
Not the least amazing feature Of
the action Of the Germany EN- bassy
was the publication OF these charges
before the Department of State had
had opportunity to consider them and
make reply. The announcement by
the Embassy was accompanied with
the statement that the State Depart
ment had been requested to investi-
gate the case OF the Odenwald.
The veraeity OF the United States Of
ticials at San Juan. who reported on
the 0denwald case. is called into Ques-
ton by tho German Embassy's state
ment The German account OF the
incident varies in several important
particulars from that In the official
records.
Seek Explanation of Conduct.
The only explanation suggested for
the extraordinary character Of the
German statement was that IL must
have been predicated on belief in Of
fetal German quarters that the United
States Is not honestly endeavortng TO
be absolutely fair TO German in.erefts
wherever met with IA the affairs OF
this Government. IN view OF the eff
forts which the Wilson administra-
ton has made tn maintain the strictest
neutrality, officials here consider II
remarkable that charges should be
made and given publicity by German
representatives which would indicate
a lack OF faith in the integrity OF the
United States and It's officers. II has
been expected that the neutrality Of
the United States would win Il friends
among the belligerents. and Il has
been hoped that credit would be given
for fair intentions.
The embassy charges that the Oder-
waid WAS twice searched by customs
officers AT San Juan following its re-
quest for clearance papers for Ham
burg, and that the results were salts
factory. Reports from San Juan
stated that American officials were re-
fused permission to make the kind OF
search desired and that n customs Of
ficer was put Off the German ship lust
as she started ont Of the harbor.
Claim Papers Were Promised.
The embassy states that the Oden-
wali was promised clearance papers
officials reports received here indicate
that no such promise WINS ever made,
and Lieutenant Colonel Burnham. Y.
s. a. reported that ne had personally
notified the commander OF the Oden-
valid three days before she left that
force would be used If necessary to
prevent vessels leaving without clear
ance.
The embassy states that the captain
OF the Odenwald felt compelled to dis
regard the port rules after being kept
waiting three days for clearance
papers as otherwise the destruction
of his vessel would have become in
evitable through enemy vessels learn
ing OF his intention TO depart
The embassy states that no warn
ing shots were fired at the Odenwald
when she steamed out The official
reports state that warning shots were
fired with a machine gun. and one
shot across her bow with a five-inch
rifle" The embassy states that the