THE LORELEI INCIDENT.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11481, 14 January 1903, Page 7

THE LORELEI INCIDENT.

ANTI-GERMAN FEELING IN ATHENS

" Tenakoe," who is sending some notes on travel to the "Otago Daily Times," writing from Athens, gives' the following description of an incident, which was referred to in our cable messages some weeks ago: — An event illustrative of the Greek's extraordinary sensitiveness where his national character is concerned has just taken place in Athens. A German naval officer was murdei-ed a few days ago, and the deed attributed to a Greek. A man-of ; war, the Lorelei, had put into the Pireue on her way from Constantinople to Germany bearing important despatches from Sultan relative to fortifications. The captain gave all hie men leave to eleep on shore with, the exception of three to guard the box of documents. Next morning two were mincing—and the box! Later on the body of one who had slept upon Wie box to guard it was found, stabbed to death, in the harbour. Naturally the inspector's first question on coming on board the Lorelei wa«, "Do you suspect the missing man, or any of your sailors?" "No," replied the captain, "my men are Germane, not Greeks." The inspector, furious with indignation, at once reported this epeeoh at the German Embassy. In half an hour all Athens knew and resented the ineolt. MeanwMik, however, the impression deepened that a Greek reaHy had done the deed, and gloom reigned everywhere, imagine, therefore, what rejoicing when the real murderer was discovered to be none other than the mining German aetilor. He had been apprehended by a eoldief on the beach at Fhaleron —unable to escape for want of money—and brought to the police itation, where he confessed everything. The strong box was a.so discovered intact. Our first intimation of this second act in the drama was furnished by an American here, mho went early to a shipping office on fnuinees. He found the whole ataff leading newspapers—not a letter opened—everyone delirious with joy and excitement, and certain indications that cot a, stroke of work would be done that day. "Have j«u heard the newa? Have you iwacd the news?" resounded on aH sides. Athene went wild with delight. Someone had at once roshed to the palace to tell the King; and for once King, people, Ministers/ and rival politician* -wexe ail of one mind. On Ks way to prison the murderer was loosed and wept over by BMB and women because he was not a. Greek! And the poor "fuetanella," peasant aoMicr who made the capture found ftimsrif end* deuly enriched, and tfie "catch" of his Tillage, -ror a Greet merchant at one* f»id him the reward offered by the Qennan captain, w> that he might not touch "dirty German money," and another merchant, not to be outdone in patriotism, paid him a like sum 1 The end of the story (so Jar) is that the murderer has been banded over to German authority, and the Lorelei* captain summoned to Germany to answer before his iraU Emperor for the lax jgoaxdiantiiip of him trust.