Crews of five Italian vessels taken into custody in New York, were sent to Ellis Island, it was said, Crew members involved in the alleged Yabotage will be prosecuted, it was Coast guardsmen acted swiftly and secretly. Reporters and photographers were barred from the ships the only information regarding the action came from an official spokesman in. Washington, Diplomats wore caught unaware. The Italian Embassy declined to comment. The German naval attache, Vice-Admiral Robert Witthootlemden, only would say that action was "interesting Senator George said he thought the Government acted wisely because of the alleged sabotage activities.—He said that the United States, as a non belligerent power, could have denied the vessels shelter but since ft had provided shelter for the ships the Government was justified In' taking steps to prevent the vessels from being used harmfully to the United States—United Press, "Wholesale Damage"
New York, Mar. 3.
Guards have also. been placed fon two German ships, namely, the Aracuna at Port Everglades, Florida, and the Pauline Frederieh at Boston:
Discovery of "wholesale damage" on some of these ships was announced Mr. Herbert Gaston, Assistant Secretary to the Treasury. He said the measures taken In consequence of this discovery were "purely protective."—Reuter, Ships in, PX, Setzed Manila, Mar, 31, 'Admiral 'Thomas C, 'Hart,' com mander of the U.S, Asiatic Fleet, today announced ihat the U.S. Navy, acting In place of the Coast Guard, had taken over four Danish vessels Philippine waters for "protective custody in order to prevent sabotage ug by the crews.
Fifteen U.S, Naval ratings were placed aboard each of the four Danish vessels, three in Manila Bay and one at Cob, 'A Navy bomber flew naval ratings t6 Cebu where the men boarded the Marchen Maersk, The Danish steeniers in Manila Bay are Greta Maersk, Gertrude Maersk
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.