GERM OF ANOTHER "INCIDENT''

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2610, 4 November 1915, Page 8

GERM OF ANOTHER "INCIDENT''

BRITAIN'S SEIZURE OF AMERICAN VESSELS

OWNERS' PROTEST

87 Tfllejrapli—Press Association— Oosyrlehi New York, November 2.

A protest against the seizure of the American steamer Hocking by a British worship, which earned lier with a prize crew to .Halifax, has been lodged with the State Department by Mr. Richard (i. "Wagner, president of the America Atlantic Steamship Co., the owners. Mr. Wagner asserted that the officers and shareholders of the company are all native Americans, and he knew no reason whatever for the seizure. Mr. Wagner has further slated that he had trouble in_ obtaining American registry, chiefly owing to his German name, but that this was overcome after a long investigation. . Washington officials have informally indicated their displeasure at the seizure of the Hocking, and it is considered it is likely that a protest will be submitted to the British Foreign Offico in a fow days. The protest will insist that the nationality of American ships must bo determined by their flag, not by their ownership. At Halifax, proceedings have been started in tie Admiralty Court by the issuance of warrants for the arrest of the American steamer Hocking and tho Dutch steamer Hainborn, which were brought in by prize crews.- Admiralty officials will give no information regarding the seizure.