Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-11-24

New York, Nov. 24.-How the Ham
burg American Line succeeded in
reaching German warships in the At
lantic, in August. 1914. with 1000 tons
of coal and large amounts OF food
stuffs, by the steamer Berwind, an
American boat, was told today on the
witness stand by the Berwinds cap
tain, Fritz Edward Falkenberg.
Captain Falkenberg was a govern
ment witness in the trial Of DR.. Karl
Buenz. George Kotter. Adolph Hoch-
meister and Joheph Poppinghaus. all
officials Of the Hamburg
line on trial on charges Of conspiring
to deceive and defraud the United
States.
The Berwind sailed from New York
at $3.50 at night, Aug. 5. supposedly for
Buenos Aires. with Poppinshaus as
supercargo and in charge.
Movemsnts Of esr~lnd.
Taking up Captain Falkenberg's 8
story there. her movements were as
follows: First Poppinghaus ordered
him to stay within the three-mile limit
after leaving Sandy Hook to avoid
British cruisers, but later instructed
him to steer for Cape Rogue. There
he was told to steam back and forth
as he might meet German ships. For
thirty-six hours the Berwind did
steam back ana forth over q sixty-mils
course ana finally on Aug. 8, sighted Z
German fleet Of nve ships.
She failed to reach Buenos Aires, the
port from which she cleared. Captain
Falksnbsrg said.
Befwind was tho only ono Of the six.
teen boats chartered by the defend.
ants 1t q cost Of s$2, 600, 900 to relieve
German cruisers, which succeeded n
her srrand. The others, it 10 believed
were all captured before they reached
GermanA
Captain Falkenberg said George
Kotter, superintendent Of the Ham.
burg-American line, made him a pres-
ent OF $500 in return for his services
when the Berwind got back to New
York.
Sixteen Days With Fleet.
The ships were the Cap Trafalgar.
~HAS = SAA$eSS sAAo GlSduOI "OGI1n0I. In0
Santa Lucia, and the tiny German gun.
boat Eber. The Cap Trafalgar hoisted
signal "B. NJ" meaning "come
nearer" after the Berwind, on Pom
pinghaus' order. had hoisted the same
letters Tho weather was stormy SO
the Berwind. unable to discharge her
cargo, stayed sixteen days with the
German fleet. When the elemsslts
nh4
visions, forty tons of foodstufls and
the Eleanor Woermer
On Sept. 10. or thereabout. three of
the fleet sailed away. leaving only the
Pontas and the Cap Trafalgar, to
which the Berwind was still dischars-
Ing her cargo. Before leaving, how
ever, the Eber gave up her guns-two
1our- Inch rifles and six one-pounders
Ito the Cap Trafalgar,
Surprised by British Warshipa
On the morning Of Sept IA, 1914,
Captain Falkenberg testified, the Can
Trafalgar and the Pontas were sur
prised by the British auxiliary cruiser
Carmania and another British boat
which came on fast. intending to give
battle.
The Germans turned to sea, and the
Berwind.. weighing anchor, trailed
slowly behind. steering out Of range.
The Carmania gained fast" Cap
tain Falkenberg said "The Cap Ira
falgar steamed south about a mile,
then turned right about and faced the
Carmania.
THE Carmania fired the first shot.
and then almost one before the Cap
Trafalgar replied. The Pontas kept
on her way leaving the Cap Trafalgar
to fight alone. In half an hour both
the Carmania and the Cap Trafalgar
were badly on fire and in two hours
the Cap Trafalgar was sunk.
"Poppinghaus was aboard the
Eleanor Woermer at this time" Cap
tain Falkenberg said. The Berwind
later rejoined the Woermer. went to
Rio Janeiro, got cargo and returned
home"