The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-02-05
Crews of German Vessels at Honolulu
And Manila Attempt Their Destruction
GUNbOAT: GE|ER
IS SET ON FIRE
Crews of, Seventeen German
Ships at Manila Disable
the Vessels.

HONOLULU. Feb. 1.-THE crew
of the interned German gunboat
Geier to-day set the vessel ahre,
according to the authorities here.
The gunboat was of 1904 tons,
and was interned shortly after the
war began. She was built at Viii
helmshayen, in 1894.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. A.
War-bound German crews at Phil
ippine. ports have attempted to
disable some of their ships, and
appropriate steps have been taken
by the island authorities.
MANILA, Philippine Islands,
Feb. 4.-It is believed here that
the crews Of the seventeen Ger
man steamships laid up in Manila
Bay have diSmantled the machin-
cry of the vessels. The authori-
ties declined to give any informa-
ton. Guards have been placed on
the vessels. The Germans have
discharged the F'ilipinos in the
crews.
The American squadron has re-
turned from target practice, and
is patrolling the bay.
MANILA. Feb At is reported
that virtually all the machinery and
engines OF the twenty three German
steamers lying in the Philippine ports
have been damaged by their own
crew Seventeen Of these vessels are
interued at Manila, three at Cebu and
three at Zamboanga.
The damage in some cases is said
10 have been done thirty six hours be-
fore the first report OF the break In
States and Germany. The crews OF
the steamers at Cebu have been e1-
cluded from the engine rooms.
The government redoubled its pre-
cautions concerning the ships, but
there have been no seizures.
NEW YORK. Feb. 4.-otficers and
crews of the :5 German steamships
(which have been self.detained here
since the outbreak OF the European
: en- board their vessels. At the same
time the suani of custom. officials
about the piers virtually was doubled,
while police ordered visitors TO keep
away from the approaches tu the
docks
Reports that tile government auth
critics contemplated seizing the Ger
man ships. the total tonnage Of which
is 261,000. were denied tonight by
Dudly Field Malone. collector Of the
port. as absolutely false and without
the slightest foundation" Mr. Malone
issued the following statement from,
Hoboken. where most af the North
Geruan-Ll6yd and Hamburg
steamships are docked:
Il have come here in accordance
with orders from the Treasury De
partment at Washington to lend
assistance and cooperate with the
Department OF immigration IN
passing upon the status of the Of
ficers and crews OF all self-detain-
ed ships in the port OF New York.
am here for no other purpose.
In order that there may be, coop
Grafton, | have been in cohsulta-
tion with their representatives of
the North lrerman-Lloyu anu Ham,
rS.American Steamship Com
panieS.'
The collector asserted that the
officers and crew Of the German
vessels had not been ordered
'forcibly detained but that they
were simply requested TO remain
on their ships He refused 70 dis
cuss the instructions he had re-
ceiyed from the Treasury Depart
nert. or the plan of procedure 10
be ppursued by the Department OF
Immigration.
Shortly before the doubling Of
the guards on the Steamship piers,
a report was circulated TO the ef-
feet that the crews Of the German
vessels tied up ar }Ioboken had
put the engines Of the ships out
CONTINUED On Page Seven)