The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-09-01
Vessels of Russian and Ger
 many Slip Inside Three-Mile Limit and Escape With Prize.
 TeutOnS Chief Offenders.

TeutOnS Chief Offenders.
 Stockholm, Sweden, Sept. 1-Tne Fear expressed in government circles here that belligerent naval operations In the Baltic this summer would place a heavy burden upon the neutrality of Sweden seems to have been amply Justified by the events of the last few weeks The Swedish navy, small put efficient. has worked night and day to keep the territorial waters free Of infringement, but despite this vigil ance submarines and stealthy des- troyers of the warning powers nave slipped into the three mile limit and stolen away with prize.
 Germany has been the chief offen- der of late, but the Russians were guilty of poaching earlier in the sum- r1ner and still hold two German steamers taken within the three mile limit despite the protests Of the Swedish government.
 The Germans seem to have adopted the practice of capturing a ship, talk ing off such supplies as they need, and then releasing the vessel with polite apology. Recently Swedish ship, the Oscar II.-not the ark or peace but tidy little white steamer belonging to the Evea line-was cap tured by German destroyer and talk en to a German Baltic port There every bit of lubricaring oil was re- moved from the steamer and she was allowed to proceed. The Germans na- turally expressed their willingness to nav for the oil. They would pay fortune, to anyone who could run cargo of oil past the British block ade.
 The incidents of sunk or captured ships have been many. but there have been far more unheralded 1n- stances where raids have been pre- vented by the presence of Swedish cruisers, destroyers and torpedo boats 1t is no easy task to patrol coast line which stretches from the northern crescent of the Gulf of Bothnia down through the entire length of the Bal lie and out into the Cattegat, nor is 1t always possible to "chaperone" all the merchants ships flying belligerent flags and seeking the neutral shelter of the three mile limit. 1t-ts no strange sight along the coast 10 see a German and Russian "lugger churning the waters side by side, or to see a German and an English ship pass in the night without the slightest sign of recognition. And it is always to assume that somewhere along this Jagged, rocky coast there is lurking spider-like destroyer of the "enemy" ready to bounce upon the steamer the moment it may stray "outs1de or sometimes through over-eagerness to step inside the limit and persuade" the richly laden tramp to steer "a lit tile wide" of the dangerous coast
 There have been numerous incl dents of late wherein the Swedish naval vessels. have been stripped TOT action against belligerent destroyers 9nd submarines, and some of the na- val officers here in Stockholm say they have rather regretted it has nev- Ger come to ''blows'' for they have had all the drudgery of war with none Of the glory.
 One of the newest Swedish torpedo ,boats, the Castor, Is commanded by Prince William, second son of the King, and a very popular young man. lThe prince Is a great favorite in Stockholm but the duties of the coast patrol have kept him away for long time and his slim litte gray vessel El,as been one of the schief defenders of Swedish neutrality.
 An English steamer recently was making her way out of the Baltic when accosted by a German destroyer. rKnowing he was within the protection of territorial waters the English cap tain paid no heed. Then the destroy CT slipped to the inside of the cargo vessel and in perfectly good English the German commander directed the Englishman to steer south. The or k7er was not answered, but soon the destroyer began to crowd the mer- chantman so it was necessary for him Ifo alter his course and he was grad tually approaching the open and un- lprotected waters of the Baltic when Fthe Castor. with Prince William full six feet three. on the bridge, hove in isight The Castor came daehine to hhe cene, white spray flying rom Iher clean cut bows.
 What is the matter here?" call ed out the Prince in even better Eng 1ish than the German had employed.
 The English captain megaphoned the reply that he was being ordered Iby the German to steer to the south Iso that he could be legally captured and taken as a prize to Swinnemunde.
 "You take orders from on one but me- directed the Prince. Keep to your original course and I will protect you"
 The German slunk away and the English ship, escorted by the Castor, proceeded in safety.
 Within the past week the greatest concern has been caused here by the sinking of several Swedish ships by Herman submarines. This practice has followed the declaration of the Berlin government that foodstuffs shall be considered contraband as well as certain classes of timber, princi- ipal1y pit props cut for use in the English coal mines. Other Swedish lships have been captured as prizes. A tsomewhat amusing incident recently was that of the "Themis'' which the Germans were trying to take to a home port in charge of prize crew when they discovered there was not sufficient coal aboard. The put into q Swedish port on Gothland Island and were greatly surprised when the Swedish government politely but firm fly refused to recognize the "Themis'' as a prize and unceremoniousIy hustled the prize crew off. Mean time outside the harbor two grim German destroyers stood glaring at three Swedish vessels of similar type hut inst little more Dowerftl