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

self at a conference held with the
Masters of the German vessels. that
no attempt TO further damage any Of
the vessels would be made, which as
surance Was readily given to ne by all
Of the Masters. Later developments
have proven that such promise was
not only given TO bridge over the thea
delicate situation but was also meant
to be kept.
ASKED CAPTAINS SOURCE OF
INFORMATION
While in my opinion IL was futile TO
ask the captains as to the source and
through what medium orders for the
Gripping OF their vessels were re-
eeiVed by them, nevertheless did SO,
and although mostly an evasiVe an
swer was given. some of the captains
stated to me after the meeting that
orders were received by them direct
through cable. ~,... II
AS to the position which was taken
by me in connection with these yes
sells, beg to quote you the following
remarks from the stenographic report
OF the same conversation held with
Superintendent Forbes on March s.,
1917, which Will undoubtedly prove of
interest:
Mr.. Hagens: 81 feel that our
firm. being an American firm,
must do everything in its power
to assist the government here, or
renounce our responsibility for
these ships" ..
Mr.. Klebahn: "Those are ex-
q
actIy my sentiments" ~rr
Deals With Grasshof Diary References
ION the front page Of your paper OF
Thursday, December 18th, another
article appeared, indicating in big
headlines that / was implicated, with
others, through the diary Of Captain
Grasshof, the particular point being
that I had information concerning
guns and ammunition on the s. S. Hol
satia and conferred with Grasshof rela
tiyet the same. ..@lI..
The s. s. @Holsatia" arrived at Ho.
nolulu in October, 1914, with most OF
her original European cargo destined
for Japan ports. Soon afterwards ar
rangements were made between the
consignees of this cargo in japan and
the representatives OF the steamer at
Yokohama to have all Of the consign-
menfs transhipped at Honolulu into
a steamer OF the Togo Kisen Kaisha.
On receipt of this information from
the agents of the "Holsatia" in Japan,
instructions were given by me to the
master for such delivery, apd all Of
the cargo was transhipped at this
port assplanned with the exception OF
the following Is packages, % Of which
/. e.:
cases hunting guns tshot-
gunsJ,
case loading apparatus, =
case sport prizes, :.
2 cases hunting guns {shot-
sunsl.
cases wooden stocks,
IL cases OF empty cartridges,
were shipped from Hamburg to Kebe
on bin OF lading No. 33, consigned to
Japanese firm, and cases of empty
cartridges shipped from Hamburg to
Chemulpo via Kobe on bill Of iading
No. z.
INSISTS UPON DELIVERY or THE
CARGO
The captain of the S. s. "Holsatia"
on receiving his instructions for the
forwarding Of all of the cargo aboard.
and In view Of a declaration publish
ed by the German government after
the outbreak of war in Europe speci-
tying certain merchandise as contra
band cargo. deemed it advisable and
necessary tosconsult with the German
consulate at Honolulu as to authority
for delivering the above specified lots.
on being informed Of his procedure, !
advised the captain that irrespective
Of any decision which might be given
by the German consulate here would
have to insist upon delivery OF the en-
tire cargo to the japanese steamer,
giving as my reason that the repre-
sentatiyes Of the owners OF the yes.
eel In Japan who had made arrange
me1ts for the transhipment of this
cargo at Honolulu and delivery to
original consignees at destination, had
undoubtedly considered the question
OF contraband from all angles. and
that the fact Of the guns not being
excepted from transhipment was suf.
ficient proof to me that no consign.
ments should be withheld. The con.
snlate decided, however, that the
above mentioned cargo coming under
the classification Of contraband should
not be delivered to the connecting
steamer, but should be held aboard
the s. s. Holsatia,r and issued IN.
structions In writing to that effect to
the captain OF the vessel. who carried
out these orders.
URGES CONSULATE TO RELEASE
SHIPMENT
Commencing about the middle OF
March, 1915, the consignees, q Japan
ese firm in Japan. through the me-
dunn of the Japanese consulate In
Honolulu, tried again to obtain deliv.
cry Of their consignments. In the
course Of the negotiations, which last.
ed until beginning Of July, 1915, re.
peatedly endeavored to convince the
German consulate at Honolulu how fu-
tile 1t was TO hold this small parcel,
urging release and forwarding to des.
tination Ia order to have the matter
disposed Of
All my dealings in this matter were,
to the best of my recollection, strictiy
confined to the German consulate
and the captain Of the s. s. .sHolsa.
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