The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-09
90 SUBMARINES FOR RUSSIA.
THAT GOVERNMENT ORDERED
THEM SOME TINE AGO.
FOur That Are Being Built at Newport
News Are Believed to He Destined for
Russia-Is This Government Allow.
Ing Its Neutrality to He vioistedr

WASHINGTON, Oct. s.-Unofflcial infor-
nation was received In Washington to-day
that four submarine torpedo boats, which
have been in process Of construction by the
Newport News Shipbuilding Company for
some time past and almost completed, will
be shipped to their destination In a short
time. just what this destination is can
not be positively ascertained. but there
appears to be general belief among Gov
eminent officers in Washington that the
vessels are being constructed for the Rus
sian Navy. The submarines will be taken
apart and shipped in sections, and 1t il
understood that there Is no ground on
which the United States can interfere.
According to information obtained to-
day, about fifty submarines were ordered
by Russia some months ago, and orders
for thirty Of these craft were placed with
shipbuilding firms In the United States.
Some time ago it was asserted that the
shipyards Of the Lewis Nixon Company
were turning out about a dozen vessels OF
this type, and this was said to have been
later confirmed by official edvices received
in Washington from Government agents.
Officers of the state Department looked
up precedents in the case and found the
only one bearing on it was a decision by
Hamilton Fish, Secretary Of State In the
Cabinet of President Grant, who held that
a torpedo boat craft which could not cross
the seas under he- own steam, but which
had been taken apart and shipped on a
neutral vessel, was to all intents and pur-
poses merely merchandise.
OF course there could be no contention
will ri 20 moi N a helm
contraband of war, this fact being appar-
ent without argument. But the point at
issue which called forth Secretary Fish's
ruling and the point at issue in connection
with the submarine craft said to be now
building in this country for Russia. are en-
tirely based on the question OF whether
the United States, in permitting such "mer-
chandise' destined for belligerent to be
shipped out of it's territory. is not allow
ing its own neutrality to be violated.
Government officers in Washington say
that even if official statements should be
made to the State Department by repre-
sentatives of the belligerent Powers con-
corning the shipment OF such craft to Russia
or Japan, it is doubtful whether any action
could be taken. 1t is understood to be the
view of those in authority that II the sub
marines are taken apart, Grated and shipped
on neutral vessel which must take her
chances OF capture and confiscation or de-
struction, it would not be possible for the
United States to take action in the matter.
One American submarine of n new type
was shipped to Russia some months ago,
and reports recently received in Washington
from official sources indicate that at recent
tests near st. Petersburg tho boats per-
Torrance was considered remarkable.
number of submarines OF this type, and
about a dozen Of several other makes are
said to be either under construction in this
country now or on their way to Russia in
neutral vessels.