The passengers of the _Appam_, our officers told me, were literally
trembling for their lives. I decided, therefore, to have an interview
with the two most representative passengers, the Governors of the
English colonies of Sierra Leone and Nigeria--Sir Edward Merewether and
Mr. James. These two gentlemen, on being conducted to my cabin, had the
situation fully explained to them. Fortunately for them, the German
Colonials on board the _Appam_ had already informed me that both these
men, in striking contrast to the usual English official, were not rabid
German-haters, and had in the prosecution of their official duties
treated Germans comparatively well.
I consequently informed them that, in spite of their official capacity,
I had no intention of detaining them as prisoners on the _Moewe_. (The
fact that, had I done so, they would have been very much in our way, I,
of course, kept to myself.) I clearly saw that both these gentlemen of
high standing had expected a very different fate, for their expression
brightened at my words. They passed a night on the _Moewe_ and were
conducted back to the _Appam_ the following morning, after breakfast,
with instructions to tell their fellow-passengers that the _Appam_
would eventually be brought into a certain port under German command.
Every passenger could keep his belongings, but every eligible man had
to sign an undertaking not to bear arms in this war against Germany or
her allies. So long as the orders of the German officer in charge were
obeyed, everyone would be well treated, and everything would be done to
ensure the safety of the ship. At the slightest sign of opposition or
insubordination, however, the vessel would be blown up.
The _Appam_ remained with us for the time being, as the stocktaking
of the coal and provisions lasted a considerable time. The ex-captain
had originally informed us that his ship was only provided for another
five days. After some persuasion, he admitted that there was sufficient
fuel and food to last double that time. Consequently, the ship could be
taken to the United States of America, the only country where we could
berth our prize.