Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-22
U. S. Lodges Complaint
Against Seizure of Steamer
by British Cruisers.
SIMILAR ACTION LIKELY
REGARDING THE PLATURIA
The John D. Rockefeller Released
When Destination Of Oil Cargo
Is Learned.

Protest against the recent seizure OF
the American steamer Brindilla by
British cruisers was made by the state
Department today. according to
statement issued by Acting Secretary
Lansing. Demand was made for her
Immediate release. the seizure being
characterized as "unjustfable."
The American tank steamer John D.
Rockefeller. which also had been seized
by British cruisers. was released. This
information was sent to the White
House by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, fol-
lowing advices from the foreign Of
flee in London.
Secretary Lansing said the American
protest, made through Ambassador
Page, was similar to that lodged yes
terday against seizure Of the John D.
Rockefeller, bound from Philadelphia to
Copenhagen. He stated that the Brindilla
also was plying between neutral ports
he was satisfied that even though there
had been change of registry from Ger
man to American the ownership was
continuously American.
Presidents Interest Indicated.
The British ambassadors ad.
vices were communicated at once
to the White House, and that was TAX
en- in official circles as an indication
OF the personal interest President Will
| son has taken in the cases.
The Rockefeller, like the Brindilla
and the Platuria, carried illuminating
oil, which Great Britain is understood
to have declared contraband. She was
| seized and taken to islands off the
coast of Scotland.
The ambassadors advices were tha
| merely ito order" at Copenhagen, ant
that the British cruisers which tool
| her had difficulty in establishing it,
destination.
British Ambassadors Statement.
The British ambassador made the fol.
| lowing statement, based on a mes
sage from the London foreign Office:
Tho John D. Rockefeller was de-
tained because there was nothing te
show in her papers for whom the OF
she carried was destined.
1T was only consigned to ORDER II
has now been ascertained that the oil
In her tanks was distined for the Dan
1sh Petroleum Company and that there
Is In Denmark an embargo on eXporta-
| ton. Directions were at once given for
the release of the vessel Fuel and
lubricants were declared conditional
contraband by the proclamation of Au-
gust A."
1t is the British contention that IL
Eliminating oil can be used for pro-
pelling Zeppelins, submarines and tor
pedo boats. Quantities shipped to
Copenhagen raised suspicious that oil
might find its way to the German naval
and aerial base at the Kiel canal
Viewpoint Of the q s.
The viewpoint Of the United States Is
that this would be a matter for Eng
land and Denmark to adjust, especially
since an embargo on the expectation OF
petroleum has been declared by Den
mark, according to the understanding
Of State Department officials.
The British ambassador conferred
| with Mr.. Lansing concerning the vari
GUS seizures of the oil ships. Mr.. Lans
ing said the American consul at Halifax
| had experienced some difficulty in in
terviewing the captain of the Brindills
to obtain facts of her seizure. but that
the British ambassador had promptly
adjusted the incident.
No complete report had been received
today at either the British embassy OF
the State Department of the circum-
stances under which third tank
steamer Of the Standard Oil Company
the Platuria-waS seized, but 1t is be-
| lieved another protest will be made,
| as the facts in her case are reported
| to be similar to those of the John D.
Rockefeller.