New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-18
Steamer Cecilie Disabled
on Orders from Berlin
Captain PoIack TestiGes That
Embassy Agent, During
Sussex Crisis, Told Him to
Get Ready - Wrecking
Begun January 81

Boston. Feb. f7-Thc North German
LLOYD passenger liner Kronprnzessin
Cecilic. while in the custody OF
United States marshal under libel or
der from the Federal Court, was delib-
crately disabled on orders from the
German government. her commander
Captain Charles A. Polack, testified in
the United States District Court TO-
day.
The damage to the vessel was done
on the night Of January 81, the date I'M
restricted U-boat warfare was announced
and three days before diplomatic rela-
tions between the United States and
Germany were broken of. Captain
Polack said that on that day he had re-
ceived his orders from an official Of
the German Embassy.
II was a tense moment when the wit
ness was asked the name Of this official
He hesitated, and then turning 10 the
court made this plea:
your honor, | am an officer Of the
German navy, and If ] should have to
disclose the name Of the gentleman
in this hearing | might be tried for
treason when | went home TO Germany.
! wish you would not Oblige me to an
swer that question"
Judge James VI. Morton, jr.. con-
ferred privately with counsel and then
announced that the court would not IN
sist upon an answer.
At Sea with Gold Cargo
The Kronprinzessin Cecilie was
bound from New York for Plymouth
and Cherbourg, when her commander
was warned that war had been de-
clared. He found refuge at Bar Har-
Dor. Me. On board the steamer was
gold shipped by the Guaranty Trust
Company and the National City Bank
of New York 70 bankers in London and
Paris, and these banks libelled the YES
sci. claiming damages Of S2,30O,0OO be-
cause of the failure TO deliver the con-
signment. In November, 1914, United
States marshal took possession Of the
steamer, which was brought to Boston.
When Count Bernstorff was handed
his passports, the libellants sought
protection Of the vessel from damage
by the crew with the result that United
States Marshal John J. Mitchell took
physical possession of the ship. 1t
was then found that the machinery had
been tempered with. The libellants
sought damages and to-day's hearing
was on a petition for the sale Of the
ship.
Counsel for the owners asked for
delay of two weeks until orders could
be received from Bremen, and also that
the case be delayed until the Supreme
Court had passed upon the owners
petition for q review of the case, which
was expected on March 5. The court
replied that the owners appeared IN
contempt, and so had no standing IN
court.
Sale Tentatively Ordered
The court then ordered that the yes
sci be sold by the Marshal on April IL,
unless on or before February II the
owners had furnished a bond Of $780,
600 10 repair promptly the machinery
damaged and protect the steamer from
further injury. The cost of MAINTAIN
ing the ship, pending the disposition
of the case, also was put upon the
owners.
The court did not indicate whether
any action for contempt would be taken
against Captain Polack or Chlet En-
gineer Sigmund Bierans, who was IN
trusted with the work Of rendering the
ship imperative.
Captain Polack said that last spring,
soon after the steamer Sussex was
sunk. he was summoned TO New York
by his company's representatives, and
introduced to a gentleman who said he
represented the German government.
This man told him that trouble had
arisen between the United States and
Germany and il was about time for
him to destroy the ships papers. lie
was warned that his ship should not
fall into hostile hands. -,
Returning to Boston he arranged with
his chief officer and chief engineer Tor
the disabling of the ship upon the re-
ceipt of a code telegram which he was
To send. On January %, he started Tor
Hot Springs, Ark, but stopped over IN
New York. During his stay there he
received his orders to damage the ship,
and on January 81, dispatched the mes
sage agreed upon TO his first officer Re
turning to Boston that night, he found
the chief engineer engaged in GRIPPING
the machinery.
Edward Biodgett, counsel for the
libellants. asked when and where he re-
ceived his orders, and the witness re-
"On January 81, at the docks Of our
company, in Hoboken. was in the OF
fees just before noon. Others present
were the superintendent of the COM
pany, Captain Moller and representa-
tive Of the German government.
81 was just taking leave OF the SUI
perintendent when the other gentleman
said: The relations between the two
countries are being severed. The con-
dition is very serious
Received Specific Order
81 started to take my leave. He said:
You remain here and / remained.
81 asked: Now shall We do what has
been agreed to do 70 our enginesF lie
said yes The superintendent did not
say anything
Asked what had been agreed, the wit
ness described his earlier visit to New
York.
81 knew the gentleman" he declared.
"He told me that since difficulties had
arisen here he thought it was about
time that / should destroy the secret
code Of the vessel, her charts and plans
and secret books, in order that in case
anything developed they should not fall
into hostile hands and that the ship
could not be used for any length Of
time If they should be needed By any
hostile power.
when / returned from New York
spoke 10 ny chief officer and my chief
engineer and told them what had
learned. told my chief engineer that
! would leave it entirely 70 him TO do
what be thought necessary 20 disable
the engines Of the ship. ] told my
chief officer that when ] was not on