America.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 55, 3 November 1915, Page 5

America.

BRITISH SEIZURES. ALLEGED ILLEGAL TRANSFERENCE TO AMERICAN FLAG. United Press Association. New York November t. British warships off the coast seized the American steamer Hocking and the Dutch steamer Ham born, because they had been transferred illegally from German ownership to the American Hag. Both ships were engaged in the coastwise trade. PROTEST LODGED WITH STATE DEPARTMENT. STATEMENT BY THE OWNERS'. (Received 9.ii> a.m.) New York, November 2. A protest against the seizuie of the American steamer Hocking by a British warship, and which was carried with a prize crew to Halifax, has been lodged with the State Department by Richard G. Wagner, president of the America and Atlantic Sttamship Co. The owners, Wagner asserted, and the officers and shareholders of the company and all native Americans knew no reason whatever for the seizure. Ht stated that he had trouble in obtaining American registry, chiefly owing to his German name, but this was overcome after long investigation.

PROPOSED METHOD OF DETERMINING NATIONALITY. THE FLAG, NOT OWNERSHIP. (Received 9.45 a.m.) Washington, November 2. The officials have informally indicated their displeasure at the seizure of the Hocking. It is considered likely that a protest will be submitted to the British Foreign Office in a few days, which will insist that the nationality iof American ships be determined by the Flag, not by the. ownership. ACTION BY THE ADMIRALTY. {Received, 9.\0 a.m.) Halifax, November 2. Proceedings have been started in the Admiralty Court for the issue of warrants for the arrest of the American steamer Hocking and the Dutch steamer Hamborn, which were brought in by prize crows. The Admiralty officials give no information, regarding the seizure.: t-' ■''