Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-12-06
An Explanation and a Pledge

Their responsibility to the American cOmmunlt!
in which they reside has been recognized by the TIVE
HonoIulans on trial in San Francisco-(Ieorge 10
dick and II. A. Schroeder. The statement which
they made to the court yesterday is published in full
by the Star Bulletin today. having been cabIed her
at the instance of the two defendants.
The community has no wish to PREJUDICE then
nor unduly to hold against them actions inveshgat
ed by the district attorney at San Francisco and D.
him evidently believed to have extenuating crcum
stances. In fact, long after German consuls an'
consular offices elsewhere had been directly impli
Gated in gross violations Of neutrality; after tn
trail of intrigue corruption and plotting had let
directly up to the highest German office IN TIT
United States-that of the German ambassador
the disposition in Hawaii was to hope and perhaps
in most cases to believe that the German consulate
here had kept clear of any such pernicious actV
tiles The two defendants. Mr. Rodiek particularly
had been valued members of the business commun
ity with wide acuuaintances and friendships. When
therefore, news was made public of their indlct
ment for connection with the Hindu plot, the re
! action of resentment was the more severe.
That the district attorney accepts plea of guilt
emphasized as plea of guilty to technical VIC
lation of the neutrality law alene-and that this II
accompanied by the statement published elsewhere
today, is development which will be viewed no
only for its own Importance but in the light of TIT
defendants closing statement:
"Theg intend by the future conduct and futur
residence it their Hdtcdiian home to confirm TIL
respect and confidence of thei: neighbors and thei
right to fellowship toith American citizens"
Denying in detail any connection with the 1ndi;
conspiracy, and offering lengthy written state
ment statement in defense of their actions, Messrs
Georg Rodiek and 81. A. Schroeder have made ex
PLANTATION of dealings with the mystery ship Nav
erck. The explanation is that their relations witt
the Maverick were purely commercial transactions
There is one incident of more recent date whicl
stiIl awaits explanation That is the disabling o
the cruiser Geier and of German refugee vessels il
the harbor of Honolulu. ,ls-4
In the records of the department of public work.
Of this territory there is the stenographic report
3 conversation of March 6, 1917, between Superin
tendent Forbes, j. F. c. Hagens and F.W. Klebahn
the latter being the manager of the shipping depart
nent of Hackfeld & Company. The conference wa
upon the proposed moving of German vessels lyini
at Honolulu docks, whose presence was felt to be
menace because they might be blown up or sunk a
their moorings by the Germans.
Superintendent Forbes inquired the cause Of tn
damage then already donel to the ships Pommerl
and Eetos The following conversation then ensued
according to this stenographic report:
Mr.. Rlebahn answering inquiry as to cause Of
damage: Il do not know. simply know the dam.
age is done and there VIII be further damage to
the vessels can only repeat this and give you the
same assurance gave the governor over the tee.
phone at p. M last Monday. that whatever damage
there was to the vessels had been done and nothing
further would happen to these vessels"
Mr.. Forbes: do you guarantee that?"
Mr.. Klebehn That Is my personal assurance
Mr.. Klebahn's statement that he could give hi
personal assurance that there would be no furthe
damage to the vessels raises the question to hoy
he could give this assurance. From what source
did his information come that there would be N
further damage? From what sources and by wha
medium were the orders for Gripping the vessel
transmitted to the German ship officers?
In his statement to the court at San Francisco
yesterday, Mr. Rodiek declared that his patriotism
and affirmed that he expects to enjoy the confdenc
Of his neighbors and the rights of fellowship wit
American citizens. He said also that the state
ment was made in fairness to themselves and t
Americans in Hawaii.
Americans in Hawaii cannot help but feel that il
fairness to the citizens here resident there be
planned the exact circumstances under which tn
officers of the German ships here received their OF
ders to disable the vessels. That would clear tn
atmosphere of one cloud as the San Francisco tris
is clearing it Of another. =
IT will not do to be too optimistic of the futur
on the Italian front. The beating which Ger
Cadorna's army received on the Isonzo front ha
greatly disorganized the troops and though the
are making gallant stand the Piaye Brenta line