The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-02-03
PRIZE VESSEL
ANCHORS OFF
VIRGINIA CITY
Where It Discharges PaSsen-
gers Who Are Given Liber-
ty to Land in Country.

ASSOCIATED PeAkt'
NEWPORT NEWS, Feb. with
its German prize commander on the
bridge. the British liner Appan
moved up from Old Point early today
and anchored off this port to dis
charge the 245 persons on hoard.
given liberty TO land in the United
States. The ships legal status still
is undetermined. Lieutenant Berg,
the German officer, moved his craft
only on orders through Collector
Hamilton.
1--WE are treating II as an English
ship which has put into an American
port flying the German naval ensign,
is Mr.. Hamilton's explanation ol the
present attitude OF the United States.
Some of those who were messengers
on the Appam when 1t was captured
by the German raider. variously de-
scribed as the Ponder or the Moewe.
prepared TO land in Newport News
but most of them will be transferred
with crews Of other captured British
vessels to Norfolk, there to board a
steamer to New York on their way to
England.
Sir Edward Merewether and other
British colonial officers with large
quantities of baggage have arranged
to place their property in customs
bonds here and proceed directly to-
New York TO take the first available
ship for home.
Lieutenant Berg still maintains his
determination to permit no one on
board the liner except those who have
official business. Though studiously
polite. he extends no undue courtesles
even to American officials and insists
upon recognition of his absolute au-
thority over the ship and its company.
He is holding more than 200 people
aboard including his own prize crew
Of twenty-five men. some twenty Ger
mans, who were prisoners of war on
the Appam, Captain Harrison and the
entire crew of 155 Of the Appam and
twelve of its passengers. whom he
claims belong to the British army or
navy.
Until the Washington government
passes upon the German contention
all these persons will remain nthe
liner.
Prince Won Hatzfeldt, counsellor OF
the German embassy at Washington.
and Captain Gaunt. the British naval
attache, reached here from Old Point
Comfort soon after the ship anchored.
The prince is urging his claim that
the Appam Is a fair prize Of war en-
titled under an old Prussian-American
treaty TO remain in an American port
as long as a prize crew desires.
Captain Gaunt, assisted by the
British vice consul. is managing the
removal of English subjects and
awaiting the outcome of his embas-
sy's demands that all those held on
the liner be released.
There were fifteen women, inclu1-
ing Lady Merewether and 4 number
Of children aboard.
1t was shortly after Q O'Clock this
morning when the Appam got up an
Choir and steamed away from OLA
Point Comfort, where 1t had been ly'
ing under the guns of Fort Monroe
since Tuesday. 1t passed several
British merchantmen as it neared
Point Breeze, famous as the point
marking the scene Of the Merrimac
and Monitor fight
Loud cheers were exchanged by the
crews of the freighters and the
Englishmen on the Appam. The
freighter saluted with three resourd-
ing blasts of their whistles.
Lieutenant Berg on the bridge
made no response.
Rounding Point Breeze he turned
into James river and in few min
utes let go anchor near the great
shlpbuilding plant and almost with
in stones throw of the German trad
er Arcadia and the Austrian, Buda-
pest, which have been laid UP here
since the war began.
immigration Officer Williams
boarded the vessel to pass upon the
persons desiring to land. He was ac-
companied by British Vice Consul
Renworthy, prepared to guarantee
transportation and subsistence for all
British subjects, whose financial
troubles might otherwise prevent
them from landing.
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