The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-13
WEI RE- AIDING BOTH SIDES.
SUBMARINES FROM AMERICA CO.
ING TO RUSSIA AND JAPAN.
Sometimes the Boats Are BeinE Built
Side by side-Russian Secret Agents
Probably Responsible for the North
Dakota Wreck OF q Railroad Train.

Probably Responsible for the North
Dakota Wreck OF Railroad Train.
WASHINGTON. Oct. l2-It was learned
hero to-day that the westbound train
wrecked near Minot, N. D., and found to
have on board the dismantled sections
of two submarine torpedo boats, was merely
O part OF twenty-three carloads Of sub
marine boat sections which have been
shipped from the works of the Fore River
Ship and Engine Company. at Fore River,
Mass, and which are destined for the jap
anese navy.
AZ published in The SUN several days
ago, thirty submarine boats are now build
ing in this country for the Russian navy,
and it has been believed that the Japanese
Government had also placed an order with
an American shipbuilding concern some
time ago. This was not definitely known
until to-day, however. when 1t was learned
on the highest authority that the order
placed by Russia with American firms for
thirty submarines of the Protector type
had been Immediately followed by Japan
with an order for fifty submarines Of the
Holland class.
About one-third of this large order was
placed with the Fore River company, and
nine submarines were recently completed
by them, tested and Grated for shipment.
The nine vessels were packed in twenty
three freight cars Of the largest type, and it
was q portion of this order which WAS
wrecked at Minot, n. D., on Tuesday.
1t was learned here to-day that officials
Of the Fore River company are convinced
that the wrecking of the train was not an
accident and that the proba bilities are that
1t was the work Of Russian sympathizers,
or possibly paid spies Of the Russian Secret
Service. Armed guards will be sent with
the next consignment of vessels from the
Fore River yard and special precautions will
be taken to prevent a repetition Of the
| wreck incident
1t is interesting to note the fact that
the submarine boat sections contained
| in the freight cars, some Of which
are now in the New York yards Of the Penn
sylvania company, are merely billed West
ward, with no more definite point Of desti-
nation than that indicated.
The submarines destined for the Russian
| Government are being built at various
| shipyards, in some cases side by side with
| other craft of a somewhat similar type
under construction for Japan, ship
ment OF submarines Of the Protector type
was recently made from the Newport News
Shipbuildng Company to New York, whence
they will be shipped direct to Russian
| territory.
Neither the japanese nor the Russian
diplomatic representative in Washington
has called the attention Of the State De-
partment to the submarine craft now under
construction In the United States for the
other belhgerent. Officials Of the De-
partment do not expect such action to be
taken, as the belfgerents are considered
to be practically in the same boat 80 far
as the question ia concerned, both having
placed large orders for submarines here
some time ago.
Even in the event Of protest being
made, however. it is extremely doubtful
whether the United States Government
could take any action in the matter. As
published in THE SUN the other day when
it became known that Russia had placed
large order for submarine craft with
American shipbuilding concerns. the only
precedent In similar case is the decision
of Hamilton Fish, Secretary Of State under
President Grant, who held that a torpedo
boat or similar craft which did not proceed
across the ocean under its own steam but
which had been taken to pieces and shipped
as freight was to all intents and purposes
merely merchandise. OF course, there
could be no contention that such mer
chandise was not contraband Of war. but
under the Fish ruling, and according to the
views of officials of the State Department,
the construction of submarine craft in the
United States and their shipment to bel
ligerent Powers does not in the least con-
stitute a violation of neutrality by the
American Government.