Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-02-02
GERMAN I NVOy IS.
On THE SCENE: Of
THE PRIZE APPAM

OLD POINT COMFORT, Va, Feb. 2.
Prince Won Hatzfeldt, personal rep
resentative of the German Ambassa-
dor at Washington, Count Won Bern
storff, arrived here today. The prince
came to Old Point direct from Norfolk,
having left Washington the night pre-
vious. His mission is to investigate
various circumstances surrounding
the capture of the British passenger
liner Appam by German sea raider.
Count Won Hatfield, who is accom-
panied only by his secretary, conferred
with German Consul Won Schilling at
Newport News before coming here.
These officials discussed the arrival of
the prize in Hampton Roads, and la
ter the count went directly to the Ap-
pam, where he held a lengthy confer.
ence with Lieut.. BERT, who is in COM
mand Of the prize crew. He discussed
certain features of the ships status
with newspaper men, while on others
the German diplomat maintained i'm
penetrable silence.
The Treaty of 1856.
Under the provisions of the treaty
of commerce trade signed by the Unit
ed States and the Kingdom of Prussia
in 1885, Prince Won Hatfield declared
the Appam will undoubtedly be de-
clared a prize Of war. This treaty
provides for disposition of such prizes
brought into either American or Prus-
sion ports by belligerent parties to
the convention. Under its stipulations
the Appam will be turned over to the
prize crew in charge, said Count Won
Bernstorff's representative. This crew
consists of Lieut.. Berg and twenty-five
German enlisted sailors. The value
o. the British Ship together with it's
cargo, is considerably greater than a
million dollars.
Before the Appam can be disposed
OF under the conditions of the ancient
Prussian-American treaty however, it's
status must first be defined by the
United States. Such disposition, there
fore, will be delayed some time. 1t is
even probable that lengthy hearings
will be held before action IS taken in
tie case by the Washington govern
ment. The attitude of official Wash
ington toward Lieut.. Berg's exploit re-
mains underlined today. That the Ap-
pam will remain in this port until the
close of the war, in any event, seems
clearly defined by events since the
ships arrival before Fortress Mon
roe early yesterday.
The passengers brought here on
beard the prize ship, it is stated, will
be liberated without further delay.
These will be sent to their destina-
tions, as far as possible on board neu-
trail steamers. The British govern
ment, in all probability, will provide
necessary transportation for those
coming here baoard the Appam, and
without sufficient funds to continue
their journey. immigration Officials |
have not passed upon the status of
these people, who probably will be re-
garded as "shipwrecked mariners" In
this event, they would be admitted to
the United States temporarily without
bond, pending opportunity to resume
their travels.
The same strict barrier against Wis
itors boarding the Appam which pre-
yo;lo5 ,yoetor5ovy ,,,o. ,,,o;n4o;pod 70
day. Lieut.. Berg this morning reiter-
ated to a representative of the Asso-
ciated Press his former declaration
that under no circumstances would
any one be permitted aboard his prize
unti' its status is defined by the Unit
ed States government. The passen-