South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-22
ARREST SAILORS
FOR MUTINY ON
BOARD j. s. SHIP
Official Says Men Feel They
Will be Treated Fairly
by Body.
BOLSHEVIK FONENTS TROUBLE
By Associated Press

NEW YORK, Dec. 21.-EIeven
members Of the crew Of the trans
port America, including two petty
officers. charged with mutiny on the
high seas and other crimes, were
taken from the ship in irons Sunday
when she docked at a Hoboken
army pier. other arrests are eX-
pected TO be made, as the transport
crew is reported 10 have been i'm al
most open rebellion since leaving
| this port last November on a trip TO
Europe and return. An l. W W.
/ agitator is said 10 have fomented
| the trouble.
Civilian Crew.
The American. an army transport.
! manned by a civilian crew. returned
from France Saturday with mem
bers of the American peace mission.
/ Seven Of the prisoners are
charged with mutiny on the seas.
The others are charged with steal
ing and other offenses.
j. w. w. Leader
William Calkins, an ordinary sea-
man. accused Of being one OF the
ringleaders In the trouble aboard
the transport. and said 20 have had
an I. W. ". card, was arrested by an
armed guard, who found him hiding
in the hold OF the ship after il had
! docked Calkins had been arrested
at sea for stealing. but in some man
ner escaped and was reported miss
ing.
The trouble started last November
when the vessel was on Its way 20
/ Europe. Members Of the crew who
were caught milling refused 90
quit when order to do so By army
| officers The baggage OF passengers
was looted, and when ship officers
ordered the crews quarters search
| ed a mum Der Of automatic pistols
were found. These, IL is said. were
stolen from officer and soldier pas
sengers
Women Frightened.
Several days later two women
passengers wives of officers on their
way TO Coblenz. became hysterical
when they discovered two soldiers
trying TO get entrance TO their state
rooms through the deck windows
On the same day q master at arms
was caught selling q raincoat. and
!. everyone in the galley was found
shooting craps.
When the transport reached
/ Prest because Of trouble with the
. I
shore leave restricted The crew
broke out in open rebellion and de-
clared they would go ashore II they
had 20 fight their way there
, Sixty members of the crew in a
barge attempted 10 get ashore the
morning of Dec 4. but were forced
: 10 return at the point or pistols ir
the hands Of the ship officers. 4
b chief boatswain who hid aboard the
barge escaped. An hour later sew
eral OF the crew stole a lifeboat and
went ashore.
, Station Guards.
, When two detectives learned tha
the hreroorl force was going 90 Ie
s the fires go out. a special armed
E guard was sent below. Another arm
e ed guard os soldiers were pu
= aLCard 20 prevent trouo'e on deck.
After the freroOr1 incident
staterooms and lockers aboard IN,
ship were broken open and looted %
clothing and valuables
On Dec. IS Calkins was place
under arrest on a charge OF Etealin.
and taken 20 the captains office. III
IS alleged 70 have boasted that h
was one Of the ringleaders IN m
trouble aboard He escaped afte
being locked IN the brig.
J Calkins is said 70 have Joined IN
crew 10 minutes before = sale,
from HOboken on its last trip. He &
believed 70 be a professional agita
n tor and will be made the subject Of
special investigation. IL is stated.