Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-03
SWEDEN WORKING HARD
TO MAINTAIN NEUTRALITY
Small hut Efficient Navy Strives to
Keep Waters Free of
= Infringement.
GERMANY is CHIEF OFFENDER
Has Adopted Practice Of Capturing
Ship, Taking OF Such Supplies
as Are Needed, Then Releasing
Vessel With Apology.

STOCKHOLM. SWEDEN. September
1.-The fear EXPRESSED i'll government
circles here that bclligcrent naval OPP
erations 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 past few weeks. The Swedish
navy. small. but efficient, has worked
night and day "a Keep the territorial
waters free OF infringement. but de-
spite this vigilance. submarines and
s,eaithy destroycrs OF the warning
powers have slipped into the three
mile limit and stolen away with a
prize.
Germany has been the chief offender
of late. but the Russians were guilty
of poachinE earlier i'll the summer, and
still hold TWO German steamers taken
within the three-nile limit. despite
the protests OF the Swedish govern
ment
The Germans seem 30 have adopted
the practice Of capturing ship. TAX
ing off such supplies as they need. and
then releasing the vessel with po-
lite apology. Recently Swedish ship.
the Oscar II.--not the ark of peace.
but a tidy little white steamer belong
ing to the Svea Line-was captured by
German destroyer and taken TO a
German Baltic port. There every bit
of lubricating oil WAS removed from
the steamer and she was allowed to
proceed. The Germans naturally eX
pressed their Willingness to pay for
the oil. They would pay fortune to
any one who could run a cargo OF oil
past the British blockade.
The incidents Of sunk or captured
ships have been many. but there have
been far more unhcralded instances
where raids have hacn prevented by
the presence OF Swedish cruisers de-
stroyers and torpedo boats II is no
easy task TO patrol coast line which
stretches from the northern crescent
OF the Gulf OF Bothuia down through
the entire length OF the Baltic and
out into the CattcGat. nor is al
ways possible to "chaperonc" all the
merchant ships flying hclliEercnt flags
and seeking the neutral shelter OF the
threc-mile limit. II is no strange sight
along the coast to see n German and
a Russian "iuE=cr'' burning the waters
side by side. or 20 see German and
an English ship pass in the night
without the slightest sign Of .ccoGni
tion.
There have been numerous incidents
OF late wherein the Swedish naval YES
sells have been stripped for action
against hclliScrcnt dcstroyers and sub
marines, and some OF the naval Off
GERS here say they have rather re-
GREETED II never has come to blows"
for they have had all the drudscry Of
war. with mono of the glory.
One OF the newest swedish torpedo
boats. the Castor, is commanded by
Prince William, second SON Of the King.
The prince lisa great favorite in stock
nolm. but thE duties OF the coast pa
troll have Kept him away for "a long
time. and his Slim little gray vessel
has been one OF the chief defenders
Of swedish neutrality.
An English steamer recently was
making her way out Of the Baltic
when accosted by a German DESTROYER
knowing he was within the protection
OF the territorial waters the English
captain a first paid no heed Then the
destroyer slipped TO the inside OF the
cargo vessel, and in perfectly good
English the German commander di-
rccted the EnGlishman TO steer south.
The order WaS not answered. hut soon
the DESTROYER began to crowd the mer-
chantman so II was necessary for linn
TO alter his course. and he was cradu-
ally approaching tho open and unpro-
tected waters OF the Baltic when the
Castor, with Prince William. full six
feet three on the bridge. hove in
sight. The Castor came dashing to
the scene. white spray flying from her
clean-cut bows
What is the matter here" called
than the ieKrYan had employed
The Egclis-l- captain mccaphoned
the reply that he was being ordered
by the German 10 steer to tho south.
so that he could he legally captured
and taken as a prize TO Swinncmunde
You take orders from no one but
me- directed the prince Keep to
your original course and | viii pro-
tect YOU"
The German skunk away and tho
English ship. escorted nv Inc Castor
proceeded in safety.
Within rhe past week tho greatest
concern has hecn caused hero by the
sinking % several swedish ships by
German submarines This practice has
followed the declaration of the Rer-
lin rrrernmcn, that foodsrufs shall
be considered conirahand. as we'll as
pit props cut for use in the English
coal mines Orher Swedish Ships have
been captured as prizes.
RUSSIAN SUBMARINES
TAKE GERMAN STEAMERS
The more recent outbreak Of trouble
for sweden tn the Baltic began sew
erai weeks ago. when two Russian sub
marines slipped inside the three-mile
limit and carried away IN. German
steamers Lissahon and worms Two
Swedish pilots We're cap,urcd bue re
leased after week or so The Rus
slams claimed the Germans we're ius,
outside the territorial waters. bu,
Sweden maintains they we're not and
is demanding their restoration
This incident MAS scare. two dsy.
old when German DESTROYER boldly
came into the southern territorial wa
tiers and captured the English stoanc,
Adam. The Adam was calmly living
at anchor-some say not more than 2or
yards from shore. several days later
in response to a Swedish protest, IN.
Adam was released aud escorted hacL
to the point Of capture. She was gh,
some hundreds Of gallons OF oil Tw,
other English ships, on their way on,
of the Baltic In the very teeth Of IN.
enemy, were captured "deoiied" an,
released.
AS q further means of stopping m
raids in territorial waters. The Swed
ish auth critics are placing many nav
mines, and the international game n
hide and Go-seek" Of "prison@rs base
which has been PLAYED 50 freely thi
summer. hereafter Will he fraugh, witi
Z the Eravest danger To the onendin,
, craft. The Swedish naval authorize
Nd -