The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-05-23
IMPERATOR AT
 H0B0KEN AGAIN
Famous German Steamer, Held in Hamburg During
 War, Arrives in U. $.

New York, May 23-A bit hesi- tantly-as though they were not quite sure of their welcome-two old-style salts, Captain Thomas Kier and Cap tain Fritz Kruse, identified them selves yesterday afternoon when the great eight-decked Imperator, former pride of the German merchant ma rine, believed her way through the fog to Government Pier No. 1, Ho- boken-
 The 5o,O0o-ton Imperator landed again in America for~the first time in four and half years. And with her came her former captain---Kier---and her former staff officer-Kruse-and score and a half of engineers, me chanics, plumbers. etc. Said the former little sadly:
 Tn the old days we were sure of a welcome. Gee, we could walk up River street and meet hundred fel- lows who'd like to treat us to little schapps and a pipe. But now we can't even leave the vessel"
 The captain looked at the hurrying throng of khaki-clad youths who were being disembarked at the rate of 1000 a minute and continued:
 Everywhere see Government Transport Service where the sign
 
 Ach. there has been a terrible changeI And, all too sadly. I must confess the fault has not been Americas.
 Tt is hard to realize that there has been such a change. that Kruse and I cannot leave the Imperator q was go- ing to say our shipD and go ashore for the gay times we formerly en- joyed- But such are conditions and we must be men"
 
 explain that under the food treaty be- tween Germany and the United States the Imperator was lent to America. They added:
 When the war began the Imperator was laid up in the harbor of Ham burg. She has been there ever since at least until she sailed for Brest, April 2T last.
 When we saw to her overhaulinG for the trip we found a mud bank had piled up high about her and it re- Quired four weeks before we could dis, her out and get her in dry dock
 NOW though she is just as she was before the war. It is for this reason. perhaps, that she could bring but 3.OOO soldiers instead of 10000. She is to be overhauied, we understand, by the Ttlejen and Lang people and fitted as the most modern of transports Then she will break records for transport ing troops"
 There was a touch of pride in the last sentence, but not in the next words-those of Captain Kier:
 We left Hamburg with a German crew April 2T. Things were fairly peaceful in Germany The country i.' through with militarism and the old regime, thank God, but how long the present Ebert government will repain in power is a question. Germany Faces Ordeal Germany is going throus:n a tel rife ordeal now. God help her"
 Captain Kier said he and krusc had served during the war on auxiliary mine sweeping cruisers. Thei~. duty wes to proceed out of Eremerhaven. Wi he'mshavnn and the Kiel canal and harness as many mines IS pos sible in the North sea He added This was to permit the subma- rines to get in the North sea. We never got more than half way to Grg- land. The Allies were the greatest marine seeds-smiths I have ever seen. It seemed they planted two new mines whenever we destroyed one" Capt. kruse said a vessel 1le serTe-I on was blown up by a mine and the | crew were thrown into the water. They Hoated for 20 minutes before 1 they were picked up by a German destroyer. Throwing back his sturdy shoulders, he asserted:
 "I am genuinely glad to be- back l in America among friends. I feel | that Americans understand that the | old Kaiser-ridden Germany of the past is dead. They understand why we wished to stand by our country | and fight so hard. but they know that at heart we never favored mili- | tarism. I know that the new Ger ! many has a friend in America" 1 When the Imperator steamed into port the famous Prussian eagle that 1 formerly served as her figure head | had been removed. Otherwise she | was as of old-a little weather-beat- | en but with stout engines. 1 Coming over she made nineteen | knots. Going back she will make it ] is confidently expected. at least twen- | ty-three knots. She drew thirty-three | feet at her dock as against thirty five by the Leviathan.
 l All the Germans aboard expressed 1 appreciation for their treatment by l both navy and army men. Captains Kruse and Kier and their men may ! not leave the vessel during it's stay in Hoboken. Said one:
 'It is perhaps a. necessary regula- | ton. Willingly we accept the condi- tions. But hopefully do we pray the | old spirit of friendship between America and Germany may soon be wholly restored-never to be broken | either by the Republic of Germany or the American Republic. Amen"