Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 December 1915 — SHIP PLOTTERS FOUND GUILTY [ARTICLE]

SHIP PLOTTERS FOUND GUILTY

Dr. Buenz and Aids Convicted of Conspiracy. FOUR FACE FINE AND JAIL Jury’s Verdict Is That They Defrauded the United States in Obtaining False Clearances to Aid German Fleet. New York, Dec. a.— The jury in the United States district court returned u verdict of guilty last night against Dr. Karl Buenz and threo other olllcials of tho Hambiirg-Amorjcan line. Tho four defendants were charged with conspiracy to deceive and defraud the United States government by obtaining clearances for relief shipß laden with coal and other supplies sailing from American ports for German cruisers in the Atlantic early In the war. Tho maximum penalty for each indictment is two years’ Imprisonment and SIO,OOO line'. Sentences were not imposed at once becauso of the late hour when tho verdict was reached. Judge Howe deferred until toddy a hearing on expected actions to set aside the verdict and arrest Judgment. A date for passing sentence will then bo designated. Verdict on First Ballot. Tho Jury is reported to have taken only one ballot and this after several hours of discussion of tho evidence. It was given the case at 2; 40 o’clock in the afternoon. Tho foreman, George W. Palmer, announced the verdict at 10:10 o’clock at night. An appeal, it seemed certain, will bo made to tho federal court of appeals and, in case tho verdict is upheld, to the Supreme court of the United States.

Meantime tho defendants will probably remain at liberty under $5,000 bail each. The four defendants affected by the verdict are: Dr. Karl Buenz, managing director of the Hamburg-American line in New York city and former German consul general.

George Hotter, general superintendent of the line.

Adolph Ilachmeister, general purchasing agent. Joseph Popplnghaus, a former officer in the German navy and at present a second officer in the Hamburg* American line.

Guilty on Two Indictments. The Jury returned a verdict of & guilty on each of two Indictments. A fifth defendant, Felix Heffner, supercargo on one of the neutral steamers sent to supply the German fleet, was not brought to trial. He was captured by the British while on 10s errand of relief and is at present a prisoner in a Canadian detention camp. - .

The four defendants took the verdict calmly. After the jury had filed out Doctor Ruenz turned to Kotter, sitting at his left, and rising, shook hands. “Auf wiedersehen!” he said, and Kotter echoed the words.