Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-12-29

al Honolulu Will snow Laat ice 49,
including the above named % park
ages, on board the S. S. 'Holsatia was
specified in every particular, nothing
whatsoever being omitted, and every.
thing vas done to handle the transfer
in a proper manner. notwithstanding
the arduous work 1t required to CT
feet such transfer. As explained
above, the only point which did arise
at the time was a difference OF opin-
ion as to whether these cases con-
tanning shotguns. empty cartridges.
etc.. should be considered as contra
band cargo, as claimed by the captain
Of the vessel and his consulate, or as
general merchandise, to be tran.
shipped at a neutral port, as claime1
by myself
HANDLING OF GERMAN STEAM.
ERS
A few facts concerning the handling
of the German steamers at Honolulu
and the transaction Of business COLI
nected with them through my medium.
we'll known to United States and ter
ritorial officials, are, believe, proper
at this time to be mentioned.
After the arrest Of the crews of TWO
Of the steamers on February 4, 1917,
and the receipt Of orders for the in
ternment of the crews of the balance
of the vessels ! assisted the United
States officials in every way possible
in order to bring about the transfer OF
the crews from the vessels to the immi-
grafton station with the least delay and
annoyance to all parties concerned,
which assistance was rendered by me,
as l found out afterward, apparently
so efficiently that complaints were
filed by some of the members OF the
crews with the German consulate in
dicating that was the one RESPONSE
BILE for their internment at the immi'
grafton station at Honolulu.
TELLS OF GRAssHoF INTERVIEW
also remember having gone aboard
the Geier, accompanied by Mr.. Sehroe.
der, one day, / believe in February,
1916, to interview Captain Grasshof
about the following matter: Several OF
the captains of the German merchant
vessels reported TO me that Grasshof
had sent instructions to them not to
hoist the flags oVertop on their vessels
(dress ship in participation Of the
celebration Of certain holiday, and
asked my advice. Being unable to I'M
derstand the reason for such message
from him, took the matter up with
the consulate, who, not having heard
about il, suggested that had better
interview Captain Grasshof myself.
On arriving on board the Geier and
laying the matter before him he In
formed me that he had sent an officer
to the German interned vessels with
the notification that the Geier would
not hoist the flags over top (dress
ship) on that particular day on dc.
count Of a misunderstanding which
had not been cleared up. immedi.
ately informed MIN that whatever
personal grievances existed between
him and others should In my opinion
not be extended 70 the German nier.
chant vessels, az the latter had, ever
since their arrival at honolulu, been
treated BY everybody concerned Ii the
most eonsiderate manner, and that
would have to advise the masters OF
the various vessels to join in the cele
bration of the holiday by hosting the
flags on the vessels, which was &C.
tually done. +
HAS PLACED CARDS ON TABLE
In the transaction of any and all
business connected with the German
steamers during their internment at
Honolulu, from date of arrival until
their being taken over by the United
States government, I have placed my
cards openly on the table and have not
withheld anything from anybody:
have been a resident of this COM.
munity for nearly twenty years, dur.
Ing seventeen OF which / have had
charge OF shipping matters. In this
time and business / may have made
some enemies, but feel confident that
/ have made many friends. Respect.
fully yours, =.
-. F. WIN. KLEBAHN.