Evening star., 1939-08-29
Giant Nazi Liner
Being Searched
For Armament
Treasury Aide Hints
No Chances Token
On Privoteering
BY the Associated Press.

by lDe Associated PIeSS.
NEW YORK. Aug. 29.-The giant
Nazi liner Bremen, under orders to
return Immediately to Germany, was
held at her pier today by command
Of the United States Treasury De-
partment pending a thorough in
spection.
The Governments action, inaugu-
rating policy of minute search be-
fore issuance of clearance papers to
ships of nations directly involved in
the European crisis, surprised mari
time circles.
Veteran shipping men said they
could recall no instance where a
ship of the size and importance of
the Bremen had been delayed by an
inspection which is normally re-
garded as routine. Clearing papers
usually are granted after per-
functory examination.
immigration authorities took 19
passengers off the Bremen and de-
tanned them at Ellis Island-the
same number taken off the French
liner Normandie yesterday.
Not Unusual, Officials Says.
Byron H. Uhl, district superin-
| tendent of immigration at Ellis
Island. declared there was nothing
unusual about the passengers being
held. 1t had absolutely nothing to
do with the war scare or any un-
usual circumstance"
| With the arrival of any ship
from Europe" he said, there are
always number of passengers
whose eligibility to land is question:
able for such varying reasons as
health, their ability to support
themselves and not become public
charges, and the validity of their
passport and visas."
There was no indication at noon
&c. S. T) when the Bremen would
be permitted to sail for Germany.
Offices of the line said she had been
ordered to return to Germany with
out passengers, within "a hours Of
her arrival. She docked at pm.
(E. S. t. yesterday.
Gregory OKeefe, assistant collec-
tor of customs, said it would take
the searching party which boarded
the vessel at pm. (E. S. T) several
hours to complete their work. He
said 20 members of the enforcement
division of the custom service had
been assigned to the vessel.
Asked what type of search was
being made, Mr.. OKeefe said
"a special examination covered by
the law seeking armament and
spies as well as contraband mer-
chandise
you've heard of privateering,
haven't you?" Mr.. O'Keefe asked
Other Ships to Be Searched.
Mr.. OKeefe said all liners were
searched as routine matter and
exactly the same inspection would
be made of the Normandie before
she was permitted to sail.
He added the Bremen would re-
ceive clearance papers when Col
lector of the Port Harry M. Burning
lis satisfied that everything is all
right"
I'VE will search the vessel to see
that all cargo, mail or baggage has
come ashore" Mr.. OKeefe said
I'VE also will search for contra
band and we also want to know
what is going out on the ship, TO
see that there are no implements
of war prescribed by presidential
proclamation; things that would re-
quire special license from the
State Department"
The French liner De Grasse, with
capacity of 800, sailed this morn
ing with 80 passengers for Havre,
where it is due September g. Four
teen of the 80 were United States
citizens.
Preparations to refuel the liner
ordered to race back home without
passengers or cargo. still were be-
ing rushed when officials of the
, North German Lloyd Line learned
no clearance papers were forthcom-
ing.
I'VE were told that a new ruling
had come from Washington which
/ apparently affected only the ships OF
our company said Capt William
Drechsel, general marine superin-
tendent for the line. Il cannot say
now when the ship will get away
but we hope it will be during the
morning."
The Bremen arrived at dusk last
night with some 1900 passenger,
and had been expected to remain
5 in port only few hours.
The ruling came on the heels Of
(See BREMEN. Page A-41