Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-04

alongside and while passengers crowd
cd the rail she carried the official
pnrty away
II was several hours later when the
steamer finally began transferring the
prisoners ashore 70 board ship for
New York
Collector Hamilton boarded the
liner with Prince Ilatzfoldt. OF the
German embassy at Washington. and
renewed his request of yesterday for
the release of all the British citizens
He presented the following official
memorandum from the state depart
ment;
"lou will release from the steam.
ship Appam all those persons who de-
sire to he released aud who came In
on the ship, except the przc officer
and prize crew. including any persons
who have been Incorporated into such
prlze crew, or acted as a part of said
prize crew in the navigation Of the
ship.
Lieutenant Berg, of the prize crew,
asked whether that was the decision
Of the state department and when
told 1t was, acquiesced,
Berg Becomes Troublesome.
Trouble threatened for a time when
the collector discussed the handling OF
the baggage Of the prizes prisoners
and the mail aboard the vessel. The
German insisted upon having thor
ough inspection by his own men of
everything carried off the ship Mr
Hamilton announced that the United
States government would attend to
that matter; that the customs in-
spcctors would see that no property
righQully belonging to the ship her
self was removed, but that no mail
should be attached. and that all per-
sons going ashore would carry all
their personal belongings The lieu
tenant said he was afraid the pnsscn-
gers might carry off souvenirs. He in
sisted that the Appam now was al
German ship and that he was in fun
command. Mr. Hamilton replied that
Germany had nothing to do with the
administration of American customs
laws ana when five uniformed in
spectors came alongside he offered no
further objection.
When the time came the Germans
were not inclined to quibble over what
the passengers carried off They even
returned all weapons except some SER
vice arms.
The customs inspectors did their
Ia a
by a decision TO send large part of
the baggage to New York to be loaded
there for England.
After the prize commander had ac-
ceded to the demand Tor the release OF
all his prisoners, most OF tho ships
company except the prize crew gath
cred In the main saloon to hear Mr
Hamilton announce the changed sltua-
ton.
Prince liat2feldt had suggested that
any German who had not participated
in the handling Of the prize eommun-
cate with him In order that arrange
ments for leaving the vessel could be
perfected. So far as could be learned,
mono Of the seventeen Germans who
were prisoners of war on the Appam
at the time of her capture attempted
TO communicate with the prince. It is
understood that all Of them actually
joined the prize crew. Three Of them
had their wives aboard and al least
are at liberty 10 land il they desire.
Lieutenant Berg has been instructed
by Hamilton to keep his ship mt an
chor In her present position off thisl
port, and to permit no one to go
ashore except oEderlies carrying mail
or Officers detailed to arrange for the
himself is Mt liberty TO leave |
the ship, for the purpose only OF vis-
ting the customs house officials on !
business He is at liberty to load such |
stores as may be necessary.