Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-04
THE APPAM
Continued from Page One)
6erq's Compliance

0eF9S compliance
is this the decision of your govern
ment:" asked Lieut.. Berg
1T is said Mr.. Hamilton.
Very we'll, then | will comply with it,
the lieutenant responded
The ruling will mean the release of over
2n persons whom Lieut.. Berg planned to
hold on the Appam. including Capt. Har
rison and the entire crew of 155 OF the
Appam, Il of her passengers who belong
to the British army or navy. according
to the prize commanders contentious,
and 20 Germans who were found on the
Appam at the time of the capture.
When permission was given fer the 90
passengers on the Appam and the crews
of the British ships sunk by the raider
which captured the Appam, to land, it
was stated that the remaining POO persons
would remain aboard until the Washing
ton government passed upon the German
commanders contentious.
Near Serious Trouble
Trouble threatened for a time when
Collector Hamilton discussed the hand
ling of the baggage of the prizes prison.
ers and the mail aboard the vessel Lieut.
Berg insisted upon having a thorough
inspection by his own men of everything
carried off the ship.
Mr.. Hamilton announced that the Uni
ted States government would attend to
that matter: that the customs inSpec-
tors would see that no property right
fully belonging to the ship herself was
removed. but that no mail should be at
facbp1 that all onjns 81
ashore would carry all their personal
belongings. The lieutenant said he was
afraid the passengers might carry off
souvenirs. He insisted that the Appam
; now was a German ship and that he
was in full command Mr.. Hamilton
replied that Germany had nothing to do
with the administration of American
customs laws, and when FIVE uniformed
inspectors came alongside the German
officer offered no further objection
Weapons Returned
When the time came the Germans
were not inclined to bubble what the
passengers carried off. They even re-
| turned all weapons except some service
arms.
The customs inspectors did their
work quickly. Their task was eased by
a decision to send a large part of tn"
baggage to New York to be loaded there
for England.
After the Prize commander had &C
coded to the demand for the release of
all his prisoners, most IF the ship :
company EXCEPT tie prize crew gaiG"rei
IL the main saloon to hear Hamilton an
nounce the changed situation.
Germans Join Crew
Prince Hatfield had suggested that
any German wEo had not participate
in the handling of the prize commune
cate with him in order that arrangements
for leaving the vessel could be pr,fec cd
So far as could be learned, none of the
! II Germans who were prisoners of war or
the Appam at the time of her ca p:ure at
1t is understood that all of them a tua l.
joined the prize crew Three Of them
had their wives aboard and they at leas;
are at liberty to land if they desire
! Lieut.. Berg has been instructed By
Hamilton to keep his ship at anchor In
her present position off this port and tc
permit no one to go ashore except or
derlies carrying mail officials detailed
to arrange tor the purchase of food sup
plies The commander himself is at lib
erty to leave the ship only for the pur-
pose of visiting customs house Off
bal business He is at liberty to load
such stores as may be necessary