The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-06
SEES GERMAN COUP TO
COAL WARSHIPS HERE
Leon Thinks Error Was Made
When kronprinz Was AL
lowed to Slip Ont.

Maurice Leon. international law expert.
who has been a close student OF the
eHects here In tho past day or so OF the
war tangle In Europe said last night that
be believed a bad example was set when
the German liner Kronprinz wilhelm was
permitted TO clear from this port on the
mere affdavit Of her captain that her des-
Unation was Bremen. He believes that tho
af1davt of the captain OF the liner should
not have taken the place OF per-
sonal inspection of the vessel and her
cargo by the Government officers Of the
port of New York.
Inquiry at the Office OF the Collector
OF the Port yesterday as to the ease with
"hich the kronprinz cleared brought the
response that no orders to make q per-
sonal Inspection ~ the vessel had been
received from Washington and that no
one here cared TO assume the responsible
ity. such orders when issued come from
the Treasury Department. whose business
II IL TO enforce the neutrality laws.
Sees No Need Of Notification.
Mr.. Leon WIS asked whether official
notification Of the war TO this Govern
ment by any OF the nations now IN arms
was necessary to set In motion the ma
chn"ry Toy observing the neutrality laws
OF this country. lie said:
The United States Government has
been notified officially by her Ambassa-
doris in the countries involved that they
were at war. and no other notice was
required. Surely neither France nor Eng
land would be so presumptuous as to re-
mind this Government that she should not
tolerate violations of the neutrality laws,
nor would they tell her what her duty IS
To one who Is Informed as to condi-
lions on this side OF the Atlantic Il 10
perfectly apparent that while the Kron-
prinz Wilhelm cleared for Bremen she will
70 no further than the first German
, cruiser she meets and will then relieve
herself OF her coal. Then she will prob
ably come back to this port for more
coal Germany, having no coaling sta
ton in these waters must get her sup
ply in some way while her war vessels
Ar" holding their positions along the At
, ltntic coast 10 Intercept English and
! French vessels
- haven't any doubt that within A day
I or 80 another of the German liners a,
Hoboken will start 10 sea with all the
coal 81" can carry, and her purpose will
also hc 20 furnish coal to the cruisers
IT would certainly be an unfricndly act
ON the part of this nation n another
German vessel were 10 sail as the Kron-
/ prinz Wilhelm did, for in that case Ger
many will only be using this port as \
base OF supplies.
1T will be interesting to observ. what
this Government does to insure the
fety Of the France. which sailed from
Havre to-day carrying 1000 refugees and
II due here in six days. There isn't a
frenchman on board the France except
3 the members Of the crew. for her present
trip is being made solely in response
to the appeals OF the American refugees
who wanted to get home. This Govern
rnent will certainly see that her citizens
reach home safely. and one way TO In
sure II is to send a warship out to nieet
the France to convoy her to this port.
Mr. Leon also pointed out that mos
serious question Is involved In the posi-
blity that German warships may carry
out the rumored purpose of that Gov
eminent 10 cut the Atlantic cables. Sucf
al action would he most likely to involve
the United States In the conflict, he said
since II would he distinct interference
with commerce between tho United statei
| and EUROPE