The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-03-20
Letters To Both Houses Beg In
fluence In Getting Ships
Moved From Port
DOUBLE GUARDS PLACED
OVER MUTILATED VESSELS
Waterfront Confident That
Steamers Will Not Be Moved
BY Authorities

Following the advising Of The board
Of harbor commissioners yesterday
afternoon of the sinking Of three
American steamers of Fastnet, by the
Germans, that body Immediately met
and took what further precautions they
were able to, within the circumscribed
limit of their powers, with a view Of
safeguarding life and property along
the waterfront, Last night the guard
over the refugee German vessels was
doubled.
When the senate meets this after.
noon, action viii be taken on the follow.
ing communication which was received
by the senate and house Of representa-.
tives too late last Saturday for subfhis-
sion to those bodies:
Gentlemen; Herewith we respect
fully submit copy of action made,
seconded and readily carried at 0
special meeting of the board Of harbor
commissioners held this morning
wherein the Governor is requested to
forward despatch to Secretary Of the
Interior Lane at Washington, soliciting
necessary assistance whereby we may
obtain the removal of the German re,
fugce vessels now lying at the terri.
torial wharves. We would most earnest
ly and respectfully request that you
use your influence to obtain the desired
result. Awaiting your kindly eoopera
ton In this matter. - Hi4t "
The good ship Pommern, with her de-
hberately wrecked machinery and her
sea cocks ready to open in three min,
utes, is still at Pier Z, occupying siz
hundred feet Of good wharfage badly
needed by the territorial government
She is not only there now. In al
Likelihood she win remain there. The
Germans make no secret of it. q FL
't 1t is confidently believed along the
waterfront that the Pommern vii
never be moved until Captain Minssen
commander Of the ship, and the new
power behind the harbor throne, de
cides 70 move her up or down, accord
ing as to whether il pleases him TO sinh
her with dynamite or by opening the
sea cocks. ...l.. e. ~ -. FtF
The declaration from H. Hackfeld 4
Co. that they would sure enough su,
any towbOat owner that put line ;or
the Pommern if any accident happened
TO her for an indefinite number of year
looked just as good to the American
towboat owners yesterday as il did th,
day before. ttf& fE 4
There wasn't just exactly rush t,
be the first to put a line aboard her.
In view of their attitude on th
Hackfeld ultimatum, all the towboat
yesterday hauled up the Stars an,
Stripes over their sterRs. As the,
were afraid 10 risk lawsuit at tn
hands of the representatives of tn
Germans, this was the only thing +
do under the circumstances. 80
The officers OF the Pommern, and he
crew also occasionally, spend goo,
deal of time lined along the rail o
the ship. When a territorial official
or an ordinary American walk by on tn
wharf or on Allen Street under he
stern, they laugh. It's good laug
and well earned. a...- :. -,
II. Hackfeld & Co. is reported to b
perfectly satisfied with conditions a
they are at present and is willing i
let them continue as they are.
II was reported that in celebration
of the destruction Of three American
ships yesterday and the drowning 10
some Americans another banquet will
be ordered where the German officer
and their commercial representative
may enjoy menu similar TO that hilaI
ious one over which they fraternize,
the night the Lusitania was sunk an,
her women and children murdered &.