The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-06
SEIZE 81 VESSELS
Continued from Page one)


of London, England signed it but new
er ratified it, and move by ex-Sec-
rotary of State Bryan at the start of
the war to have the treaty observed
by all nations, failed.
There are 27 German ships at New
York, five at Boston, three at Balti-
more, two at Philadelphia, three at
San Francisco, two at New Orleans,
two at Southport, n. C., two at Astoria,
Ore, one each at Portland, Ore, VIM
slow, Wash, Seattle, Norfolk, Va, Sa-
vannah, Charleston. Jacksonville, and
San Juan, Porto Rico. The total also
includes two German vessels which
have been interned.
The ships lying at their slips at the
Ham burg-American and North Ger
man-Lloyd docks at New York and
Hoboken include some of the flower
of the German merchant marine. The
Vaterland, one of the largest vessels
in the world, is by far the most val
liable. Next in size is the George
Washington, 25,570 tons. Others of
more than Is. 900 tons are the Presi-
dent Grant, President Lincoln and
Kaiser Wilhelm II Four Austrian
steamships also are tied up here
Didn't Seize Austrian Vessel.
Newport News, Va, April 6.-The
German steamer Arcadia, of the Ham
burg-American line, the only German
merchantmen at this port was taken in
charge today by federal officers
1t could not be learned whether
similar action would be taken in the
case of the Austrian steamer Buda-
pest tied up alongside the Arcadia.
Crews Taken Prisoner.
Baltimore, April 6.-Three German
steamships, the Rhein, Neckar and
Bulgaria were ordered seized at this
port this morning A United States
marshal, assisted by a company of
ards n h9
vessels.
No resistance was offered. The
crews of the three vessels numbering
sixty men, We're removed to a place,
of confinement.
Philadelphia, April 6.-The Intern
ed German steamers Prinz Oskar and
Rhaetia, owned by the Hamburg
American line were seized today by
federal officers.
Crews to Ellis Island.
The first vessels taken over here
were the Hamburg Koenig Wilhelm
II, Prinz Eitel Friedrich, Prinz Joa
chin and Allemannia in the Hudson
river at the foot of 135th street. There
are forty-one officers ana 173 men
in the crews.
The boarding party comprised dep
uty marshals and collectors. immigra-
ton agents and United States infantry.
When they took possession some OF
the Germans were disturbed but for
the most part they exchanged jokes
with their visitors.
The crews assembled personal eff
fects and were taken to Ellis island.
pending orders as to the disposition of
them.
Captain Leitner of the Koenig Will
helm II and several of the sailors pro-
tested against this procedure saying
they had American citizenship papers.
1t was decided to detain them until
their status was announced in Wash
ington A small guard of soldiers was
placed on each vessel
100 Women Aboard Ships.
New York, April 6.-The 1900 men
and officers aboard the 81 German
ships seized here were transferred un-
der military guard to the immigration
station on Ellis Island. There each
man will be subjected to the same eX-
animation given all immigrants and
future disposition of them will depend
upon regulations adopted by the gov
mans in this country.
A particular problem, for which in
structions from Washington have been
asked by the officials here, is what
shall be done with the 100 or more
women found aboard the seized ships.
They are wives and daughters of the
officers, who for the most part left
Germany after the war began to join
the men during their enforced stay IN
the United States.
5 at Boston Worth S23 100000.
Boston, April 6.-The five refugee
German steamers here were in the
nossession of United States officials to-
dav. Collector of the Port Edmund
Billings, seized the steamers an hour
and a half after the house of repre-
sentatives had declared for war. He
was assisted by a force of bluejackets.
customs guards and police. The
crews made no resistance and were
taken to the immigration station to be
held under guard pending the govern
ment's decision as to their disposition.
The purser of the Amerika clad in
pajamas objected to an order to go
on deck in the prevailing mixture of
snow and rain. When pressed to move
he threw up his hands and cried:
Purser Makes Scene.
kill me here, as well as send me
to be killed out there
No trace of explosive or incendiary
device was found on any of the YES
sells. Two shots were fired but in
| each instance it was said to have been
the accidental discharge of a sailor
gun.
The steamers seizeJ We're valued at
| s1S,OOO.0O0 when they tied up here
after the war started in 81, but are
now rated at S23, 100000 because of
the advancing value of tonnage. All
| aged by their crews since the rupture
of diplomatic relations With Germany.
AS result none is ready fer sea. Of
/ ficials estimate that repairs will take
at least six months.
|