Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-25
SCOUR HIGH SEAS
FOR MYSTERY SHIP
Every Available U. S. Cutter Sent
to Search for Pirate Vessel
Zealandia.
SOME HOSTILE ACT FEARED
It's Mission Believed to Be to Prev
Upon Cargoes Destined
to Allies.
SOME HOSTILE ACT FEARED
Especial to The Times Dispatch.


WASHINGTON. October 2a.--The cur
tain Of mystery behind which the al
legged pirate ship zealandia is hiding
was more impenctrablc Tonight than
ever. officials Of the government are
said to know the vessel which they be-
lieve was fitted out in American waters
to prey upon the oil l-ladcn ships bound
from Mexico for the use Of the uavies
Of the allies.
Somewhere in the waters OF the West
Indies the Zealandia is believed TO he
lying in wait for it's victims \ hos
tile act Will plunge this government
into international complications that
will cause no end of trouble
Every United States revenue cutter
available has been sent to sea TO search
for and apprehcnd this ship Of mystery.
British and French warshps stationed
in the West Indies also are securing
the high seas for her.
FOUR SWIFT CUTTERS
IN SOUTHERN WATERS
Four of the swiftest revenue cutters
III the service arc operating in south :
crn waters. The Miami is cruising to-
night between Key West and Havana.
The Tallapoosa is piowing the Gulf in
and out Of Mobile in all directions to
ascertain if the Zealanda may have
put into some quiet nook until her
further safety seems assured The
Yamacraw with it's headquarters at
Savannah. is cruising in the vicinity of
Bahamas ana along that portion OF the
South Atlantic coast The Onondaea
port.
Through these four fast steaming
vessels, the ports of Galveston, pcnsa- :
cola. Mobile. Key West Havana.
Savannah aud Norfolk are under
scrutiny, and the intervening waters
are being combed for signs OF the
fugitive ship. Revenue cutters of the
North Atlantic have been instructed to
watch tho ports of Philadelphia. New
York and Boston. not SO much for the
Healandia. which is not expected there.
but for other vessels that may attempt
to put to sea on illegal missions.
CONsUEs INSTRUCTED TO 49, e,
KEEP SHARP LOOKOUT
The department believes that IL the
Zealandia or other flbusters are
caught at all. i, will be in the Gulf or
department. American consuls have
been instructed 10 keep sharp look
out in ports on the north coast of
South America and at Colombian.
Chilean and Peruvian ports on the
Pacific.
1t was learned tonight that the
unusual activity OF this government is
due TO suggestions from the British
Foreign. Office. British authorities say
there il a constant effort AT all large
Atlantic ports TO tit out mosquito
fleet. armed with small guns. to prey
on British ships carrying fuel oil.
This suggestion has not been con-
veycd TO the State Department official
ly or in writing, but Ambassador
Spring Rice has conferred frequently
within the past ten days with Secre-
tary Lansing, and is understood TO have
emphasized the fears OF tho British
Foreign Office. Neither III. secretary
nor the ambassador would discuss the
subject tonight.
FEAR OTHER SHIPS
ALSO FITTED OUT
Officials OF the government privately
admit their fears that the Zcalandia is
not the only ship that has been fitted
out and sailed without authority from
United states ports. The supposed
presence on board the Zealandia of
escaped interned commissioned and
warrant officers OF the German in
termed warships makes that case one
of unusual Importance. Several other
vessels Of much smaller size that have
also recently sailed from various ports
under suspicious circumstances are
now believed to have evil designs upon
the commerce of the allies.
The duty of the United States III
such cases is so obvious. under inter
national law, that officials say this
government cannot acquit itself OF
neglect in the enforcement Of its obli-
cations to bclligcrents.
ONDC Mn MOT WpITC IikIH