Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-02-22
GERMANY PROTESTS
MARSHAL S PRESENCE
ABOARD THE APPAM
Formal Representations Are
Made to the State Depart
ment in Washington by the
German Embassy
by Associated Press. }

WASHINGTON, +eb Zl.-Representa-
tions against the presence of United
States deputy marsha1s on the cap
tured British liner Appam, German
prize in Hampton Roads, were made to-
day TO the state department by the Ger
man embassy.
Prince Won Hatfield, counsellor of the
German embassy, went over the matter
with Counsellor Folk. of the state de-
partment today.
1t was said that while the embassy
realized that the libel proceedings fea-
ture are out of the hands of the state
department and in the courts, 1t was
anxious to know when some decision
might be expected. E.s.
The presence of the marshals was OBJ
jected to, it was said, because it was
feared some friction might develop.
Counsellor Barclay, of the British em-
bassy, to the great dismay of officials,
was shown by mistake into the room
where Prince Hatzfeldt was waiting. IL
the British counsellor and the German
prince recognized one another as they
sat On opposite sides of the room, neither
betrayed that he felt he was in the
presence of an enemy, and the situation
was relieved by the departure of Coun-
sellor Barclay to Mr.. Poulk's office.
(By Associated Press.)
NORFOLK, Va, Feb. 21.-UnitcG,
States Marshal John G. Saunders, of the
Eastern district of Virginia, arrived at
Newport News Sunday morning from
Richmond and took personal charge of
the situation growing out of the federal
court libel proceedings which have been
instituted against the steamship Appam
by the British and African Steam Nav
igation company, Ltd, the Liverpool
owners of the vessel, which on Feb
ruary l was brought into Hampton Roads
by German naval prize crew.
Marshal Saunders following his ar
rival at Newport News, conferred with
Collector of the Port Norman r. Ham
ilton, the marshal having found Ger
man Commander Berg, of the Appam.
standing in opposition to practically his
every move, called and asked the assist
snce of Collector Hamilton, who alone
Commander Berg still personally held
out, was recognized by him as having
authority over the Appam.
In this connection Collector Hamil-
ton took the position that the private
action instituted in the federal court
by representatives of the British and
African Steam Navigation company, Ltd,
had involved the Appam in proceedings
not coming under the collectors juris-
diction.
The collector then explained to Com
mander Berg, who was ashore at the
customs house. that while the collector
of customs was the highest port author
fly having to do. with the Appam, the
Urited States court was the highest le-
gal authority in the land.
Marshal Saunders advised Commander
Berg that his intention was to keep
watchmen on the Appam, by keeping two
men aboard for twelve hours and then
relieving them bv sending two other men
aboard.
The commander protested, but subse-
quently yielded. under renewed protest,
and the marshals orders of the day
prevailed.
Collector Hamilton and Marshal Saun-
ders returned to Norfolk last night
The official relationship between Col
lector Hamilton and Marshal Saunders
was cordial, and continues cooperative
to the fullest extent possible under
the very unusual circumstances pre-
scented in the whole matter.