Malcolm A. Franklin served as Collector of Customs in Honolulu and played a critical administrative role in managing the federal response to German merchant ships interned in the harbor. When tensions rose in early 1917, Franklin coordinated with Governor Pinkham and Washington officials regarding how far authorities could go in detaining German crews and securing their vessels. Though cautious and bound by federal regulations, Franklin’s communication with the Treasury Department helped prevent premature or illegal seizures, maintaining Hawaii’s diplomatic and legal standing during a sensitive time.
