Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-04-01
After Gagging Captain He
Opens Safe but Finds
1t Empty.
THEN ROBS ALL
CREW MEMBERS
After Getting Valuables He
Directs Ship Back
to Shore.

7 EWES. Del. March 80. -
IL lone German stowa-
way held UP the captain
and fifty-six members OF
the crew of the British
steamer Matoppo. compelling
them at the point of "A revolver
to change the course of the vessel
and land him at the Delaware
brcakwater after nc had rifled
the ships safes and taken their
valuables, was told here tonight
by Captain Bergner. master of
the Matoppo. The stowaway.
who says his name is Ernst Schil-
Ter and that he had lived in Iio-
boken. n. j., for the last eight
months. is now locked up in the
Jail here awaiting the arrival of
the United States district attorney
from Wilmington, Del, and the
British consul general from Phil
adelphia.
The holdup took place outside
the three-mile limit and federal
authorities here say that this
government under the circum-
stances probably will have moth
ing to do with the matter. Schl-
Ter, they say, will be returned to
the Matoppo and turned over to
British officials at st. Lucia,
where the vessel will stop for
coal.
Captain Is Bound.
The Matoppo sailed from New
York yesterday for Vladivostok
of barbed wire and farm imple-
ments. At o'clock in the eve
ming. upon entering his cabin,
Captain Bergner said he was con-
fronted by young man with
revolver in either hand. Hands
up and not a sound If you value
your life," was the command that
greeted him. The captain then
was bound hand and foot and
locked in his cabin, promising
under penalty Of death not to
raise an alarm.
Then cautiously making his way I
he wireless cabin the stowaway. VIII
IS about 26 years old. put the ipstru
ments out of commission and thre'
he ships guns. consisting of six rifle:
)vcrboard. He then returned to tn
captains cabin. rifled the sae and de
,troyed many important papers. ii
nod expected, he told Captain Berg
ner, to find at least 1000 lbs In Eng
ish money, but his hOres were shat
cred. There was not penny in tn
safe. Later, however. Schiller com
Delled the captain and the first Off
,er to hand over their pockettook:
a total of about 80 lbs.
Then Holds OF Crew.
With Captain Bergner still a pris
Dner in his own cabin Schiller round
ed up the crew of 56 men, all but
few of whom were in their hunks. IL
lined all hands up in one end of tn
ship and threatened to blow every
body to pieces with bombs he said h
had placed in the vessel If any on
made a move.
At o'clock this morning Schille
Captain Bergner and sti
gripping revolver in each hand. or
iered the steamer headed towar
shore. Other officers and member
Of the crew were likewise ordered I
their places and told to put on a
speed for the Delaware capes. Whe
the Matoppo came within sight q
land about noon. Schiller ordered
small boat lowered to take hiI
ashore. Meanwhile the steamers sig
nails asking for assistance had bee
sighted by the pilot boat Philadelphi
which Immediately responded to tn
call and took the small boat in tow
the threats of Schille
who still was in possession of hi
runs and threatened to shoot anybod
who laid hand on him.
Steaming for the Delaware break
water the Philadelphia was met of
Cape IIenlopen by coast guar
power boat which had put out fror
Lewes in answer to the Matoppo
signals. Captain John S. Lynch
coast guard keeper at this station
who was In command of the pOwe
boat, made short work of disarmln
Schiller who was placed in irons an
brought ashore. Later he was locke
up in the Jail here.
Believe Him Insane.
First reports today were that tn
Matoppo carried cargo of mum
tions for the entente allies and tina
Schiller was in the employ of the Gel
man government. These, howeve
were discredited. Government off
cials expressed the opinion that tn
mans mind is unbalanced.
The prisoner refused to discuss hi
alleged exploits. A partial investiga
lion failed to reveal any of the bomb
Schiller claimed to have conceale
about the boat.