Omaha daily bee., 1916-07-15
MERCHANT FLEET OF
ZEPPELINS TO COME
Deutschland Captain Says Ger
many Is Building Aerial
Squadron for Trade.
THEY ARE COMING SOON

Baltimore, July 14.-Count Won
Bernstorff, the German ambassador,
spent an hour aboard the German
submarine merchantmen Deutschland
today. He inspected the vessel from
stem to stern. had the intricate ma
chinery and instruments aboard ex-
planned to him anc personally con-
graduated Captain Koenig upon
bringing his vessel safely to America
through waters infested with hostile
war craft.
Two attaches OF the German en-
bassy, the German and Austrian con-
suls in Baltimore. and Mayor Preston
accompanied the ambassador on his
visit to the submarine. Intense heat
inside the hull of the vessel, generated
by the suns ray beating upon the deck
and sides, prevented thu party from
remaining aboard longer than an hour.
Will Send Documents. .-
The ambassador informed Capain
Koenig that he would send to him be-
fore the Deutschland starts on its re.
turn voyage several packets of official
papers which he desires to have de-
livered intact to the Berlin foreign
office. Some of these documents en-
bassy officials have been reluctant to
trust in the regular mails because it
was considered likely they would fall
into the hands of British censors.
The ambassador was enthusiastic as
he emery from the coming tower
of the Deutschland.
1T is wonderful boat, and with as
courageous a crew as ever sailed the
sea, has made wonderful voyage"
said he. II climbed up and down every
hatchway, looked into every compart-
ment and had my first experience with
periscope. ~
Koenig in Full Charge.
Captain Koenig did not tell me
just when he expects to leave for Ger
many, but | presume it will be soon
after he has his return cargo aboard.
He is in complete charge of the vessel
and has his orders from Berlin. His
craft is private one; just as much
as any North German Lloyd liner.
My visit was entirely unofficial"
The ambassador arrived in Balti-
more this afternoon from New York.
Prior to visiting the submarine he
attended luncheon at the Germania
club, given in honor of Captain
Koenig. Tonight he wa, present at
a dinner given by Mayor Preston to
the commander of the submarine. He
made reservations on a late train for
New York.
City officials who visited the sub
marine today, quoted Captain Koenig
as saying that Zeppelin arship
freighters are being built in Germany
for transatlantic service.
Bigger Surprise Coming.
ITO YOU" Captain Koenig is quoted
as saying, "the trip of the Deutschland
is a great achievement. You mustn't
be too enthusiastic over it, for big
ger surprise is coming. A. great Yep
pelin airship, or may be should
say airships, are being built in Ger
many. In the near future one or
more of them will sail to the United
States. Just as sure as the Deutsch-
land came tc America, so will the
come"
Henry G. Hilken of the Eastern
Forwarding company, the local
agency for the Deutschland, said the
project of forming a company in the
United States to construct merchant
submarines was being considered. The
line, it was said, will con-
sist of American-built vessels, manned
by American sailors and flying the
American flag, plying between Bre-
men and American ports.
Won't Tip Of Allies.
Washington, July l4.-State de-
partment officials said today that
while it would be impossible to pre-
vent dissemination of news regarding
the time of the merchant submarine |
Deutschlands departure on its return
trip, all possible steps would be taken
10 prevent violation of neutrality /