New-York tribune., 1915-03-23
Even Flag of International
Relief Commission Not
Respected.
STEAMER ESCAPES
BY ZIG-ZAG COURSE
Woman on Seized Vessel Tells
of Brutal Treatment-HOl-
land May Protest.
[By Cable to The Tribune ]

Rotterdam, March 22.-The week end
has seen the tsginping Of a genera
aeropane attack by Germans on all
shipping in the North Sea. Operating
aviators ignored all neutral flags, even
that of the international Relief Com
mission, or, following instructions
from the German Admiralty chiefs,
have deliberately attacked them all.
Yesterday an aeroplane hovered around
the vicinity of the North Hinder Light
ship, attacking every vessel that came
along, including neutrals, but so far as
is known succeeding in damaging none.
The outrageous attack on the relief
ship Elfland, of London, while flying
the flag of the International Commits
sion for Relief for the Belgians, was
tn, most remarkable incident Of the
day yet reported. The Elfland, which
was carrying cargo of food for the
commission, arrived at Maassluis last
night, and the captain stated that on
Sunday afternoon, four miles north
west of the North Hinder Lightship, the
vessel was attacked by ali aeroplane. A
Taube descended till it was only about
1000 feet above the ship and dropped
five bombs. Fragments struck the deck,
but no damage was done and no one
was hurt. 1t was only by zig-zag
maneuvring that the vessel escaped,
the aircraft disappearing as a Dutch
torpedo destroyer came into sight. The
Elfland belongs to Y. Drughorn, of Lon
don.
Woman Passenger Tells Story.
Only two English passengers were
aboard the Batavier V. which was capt
ured by Germans and taken into Zee
brugge. OF these Miss Platts, of Lon
don. tells a remarkable story OF the
oallous treatment meted out TO women
and children, the Germans allowing
them to travel a whole day without
food or drink, even though there were
babies in the party only three months
old She said:
"When we arrived near Zeebrugge
we were met by three armed steam
pinnaces, and sailors were sent aboard
TO. guard us. As We neared the har0or
we were sent below. but / noticed that
the boat circled TO avoid mines. There
were crowds of marines at Ieebrugge
Men passengers were taken from their
wives and marched off amid the
ha n.
who were kept on board, but although
we pleaded no one would tell where we
were going. 40 lights were allowed, as
en- aeroplane attack was feared.
"The next day another submarine
rame into the harbor. All Friday we
waited and Saturday morning after
breakfast of bread and jam we were
nut into trains, but waited hours before
starting. Armed sailors still guarded
US.
"Neither the women nor children were
given food or drink although the capt
ured ships were full OF food.
The Hague (via London). March 90.
The Netherlands government to-day.
after a meeting of the State Council,
forwarded a telegram TO Berlin ask
ing for an explanation of the proceed
ings of the German submarine in tax
ing forcible possession of the Dutch
steamers Batavier V and Zaan3troOm,
conveying them 20 Zeebrugge and con-
fiscating their cargoes. The question
whether a protest shall be sent to Ger
many will, il is said, depend upon the
answer of the Berlin government.
II is pointed out in the same quar-
ters that the cargoes of the Batayier
V and the Zaanstroom probably are
composed of conditional contraband.
and therefore liable to seizure. in the
same way as the British have taken
possession of similar freight which it
was suggested was consigned TO Ger
many.