The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-07-15
WILL TAKE SUBMARINE BACK,
CAPT. KOENIG OF DEUTSCHLAND
SAYS HE WILL LEAVE IN
TEN DAYS.
Examination of United States Naval
Officers Confirms Statement OF Sub
marine Commander That Vessel is
Purely Commercial Craft.

Purely Commercial Craft.
Baltimore, July 11.-Confident that
the efforts of the diplomatic repre-
sentatives Of the entente allies to have
his vessel classed as a warship, and
interned will prove unavailing, Capt.
Paul Koenig. master of the German
submarine Deutschland, is preparing
to leave port on his return voyage
within ten days.
Capt. Koenig expressed satisfaction
tonight but no surprise when inform
ed that three American officers who
inspected the Deutschland today had
reported that not only was she an
unarmed merchant vessel now, but
was so constructed that she could not
be converted into a warcraft without
virtually being rebuilt. Capt. Koenig
said he could only reiterate that the
Deutschland, like other submarines
built or building for Gcrmany's new
undersea merchant feet, was designed
solely as a freight carrier.
At least eight Of these vessels, it
was authoritatively learned here to-
day, now are building at Kiel, and
with these in addition to the Deutsch-
land and the Bremen, already enroute
for an American port, Germany ex-
poets In a measure to reestablish her
lost commerce and mail communica-
ton with the rest of the world.
The torpedo being a submarines
essential weapon to make her effective
as warcraft, 1t was the possibility
that the Deutschland might be pierced
for torpedo tubes that was the chief
concern of the American naval Of
ficers. headed by Capt. c. F. Hughes,
who inspected the vessel today. Not
only were none found. but AN exami-
nation of the forward part of the
vessels hull where torpedo tubes nat
urally would be located. revealed, it
was learned, that the structure was
not substantial enough to contain
them.
Before the Deutschland could be
lerRed IKE q German naval subma-
~ entirS, recenstfpction forward
Sdfds sd = faSiS fscy vas
sufficient in the minds Of the Amer
lean experts. to warrant their decision
that the vessel could in no wise be
considered war vessel.
The possibility that guns could be
mounted on her superstructure was
understood to have been considerd
also. But there were neither guns
nor emplacements in evidence.
Capt. Hughes and his associates
were given the entire freedom of the
ship and there was no space within
the interior that they did not explore
The Deutschland's commander was
not present during the examination as
he was not notified that the navy Of
ficers were coming.
Capt. Hughes and his associates
Lieut.. Fisher of the bureau of steam
engineering and Naval Constructor
Howard, spent more than two hours
In the vessel. Capt. Hughes declined
to discuss what he had seen, but said
that not only did the young officer
who escorted them through the boat
freely answer questions but even vol
unteered information.
HE is proud of his vessel and
do not blame him." said Capt. Hughes.
1T Is wonderful piece of mechanism
and a, monument to the German in
ventive genius
If the Deutschland has any new
devices or mechanism which are new
in submarine construction, Capt.
Hughes now knows them. He would
not say If any such existed, but made
1t clear in this connection that every
thing he wanted to know was frankly
explained. He had no instructions or
intention. he said, to report any
knowledge he may have gained.
Deputy Surveyor Hayward, who also
was one Of the party, said that the
American experts were highly enthu-
siastic and were continually ejaculat-
ing"
Capt. Koenig meanwhile was taking
luncheon at hotel with a party of
officials of the North German Lloyd
line.
The Deutschland today began un-
loading her cargo Of dyestuffs. This
task probably will be completed on
Thursday, after which she will begin
to take on her return cargo of nickel
and rubber The interned German
steamship Neckar was tOwed up close
to the Deutschland today and will
serve as quarters for the crew of the