The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-02-03
PRIZE VESSEL
ANCHORS OFF
VIRGINIA CITY
Where 1t Discharges Passen-
gers Who Are Given Liber-
ty to Land in Country.

y thf AtAoGNArtu FHtFtl
NEWPORT NEWS, Feb. 3-With
its German prize commander on the
bridge, the British liner Appam
moved up from Old Point early today
and anchored off this port to dis
charge the 2i5 persons on board.
given liberty 10 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.
I'VE are treating II MS an English
ship which has put into an American
port flying the German naval ensign"
is Mr.. Hamiltons explanation OF the
present attitude of the United States.
Some Of those who we're passengers
on the Appam when II was captured
by the German raider yariously de-
scribed as the Ponder or the Moewe,
prepared to land in Newport News.
but most of them will be transferred
with crews o. other captured British
vessels to Norfolk. there to board 4
steamer to New York on their way to
England.
Sir Edward Merewcher 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 courtesies
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 1855 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 Hatfield, counsellor Of
1 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 fair prize OF war en-
titled under an old Prlssian- American
/ treaty to remain in an American port
as long as 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 number
OF children aboard.
1t was shortly after o'clock this
morning when the Appam got up an
Choir and steamed away from Ola
Point Comfort, where It had been "
ing under the guns OF Fort Monroe
SlhNN IL puO0tu SCNVl III
British merchantmen as it nearef
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 Tie
Englishmen on the Appam. The
freighter saluted with three resound-
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
shipbuilding 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-
--~-->-------------'->- ---s.-- ->-----.----.
I