The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-10-19
BY BRITISH
Of AMERICAN SHIP
MADE AS PROTEST
Sale of German Vessel to
Standard Oil Regarded as Eff
fort to Evade War Rules.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 1s.-President
Wilson had not been. officially in
formed to-day Of the seizure Of the
American tank steamer Brindilla by
a British cruiser. but told callers he
was following the case with interest.
Generally speaking. the President
said, ship OF a neutral nation, bound
from ono neutral port TO another, ia
exempt from seizure. He added, how
ever. that he did not know enough OF
the particulars to say what position
would be taken by the American Gov
eminent.
The attitude OF the British in the
case OF the Brindilla--the first to arise
since tho outbreak OF the warts
based on provisions in the Declaration
Of London. which has been generally
accepted by all the belligerents as the
guids for procedure In tho maritime
questions brought up by the war.
Article SO Of this convention con-
tains the following:
The transfer of an enemy's vessel
to q neutral flag effected after the
outbreak Of hostilities is void unless II
10 proved that such transfer was not
made In order to evade the conse-
quences to which an enemy's vessel, as
such. Is exposed"
The British Government holds that
the Washington. or the Brindilla, as It
Il NM bpa~o ,o,,td So. sa... Izs..
sold by its German owners had 1t not
been for the war. They regard Its
sale as an effort to evade tho conse-
quences Of the war; that is. the owner
Of the vessel. confronted with a stu
alton where their vessel must lie idle
for an indefinite period and bring a
loss instead Of revenue. sold her TO
the Standard OIL Company.
The State Department here has
known for some time that this would
be the British position and has not
encouraged those who proposed the
purchase OF German ships caught in
American ports by the outbreak Of
war.
Tho procedure In the case OF the
Brindilla will be for the vessel TO be
tried before a British prize court,
probably at Halifax. There Is little
doubt but that she will be condemned
as q German prize and disposed OF
accordingly.
The burden Of proof that she was
not sold to evade the consequences
Of the war rests ON the vessels, and
II IL doubted here II her owners can
satisfy the British prize court that
the sale was not Of this character.
Therefore an adverse decision Is ex-
pected.
The B-indilla was formerly the
Washington. owned by the Deutsch-
Amerika Petroleum Company. After
her sale some weeks ago she WAS
transferred to American registry.
HALIFAX. N. s.. Oct. 1s.-Just
what plan would be pursued with
regard to the American tank steamer
Brindilla, seized by the British nux-
Hilary Caronia and brought here yes
terday, could not be learned to-day.
The Brindilla remained anchored
in the harbor to-day. The military
guard which was placed on the
steamer yesterday remained aboard
and, as far as known. none Of the
Brindiila's crew has as yet been al
lowed ashore. The American Consul
General at Halifax held no communi-
cation with the officers Of the ship.
The matter Of the Brindilla's seizure
and detention here Is In the hands Of
the Prize Court officials. and the
Naval Department at Halifax has now
practically nothing to do with the
ship.
The Brindilla still flies the Stars
and Stripes over her counter and will
continue to do 30 unless the Prize
| Court finds the ship to be legally a
prize Of war. There were no Prize
| Court proceedings to-day. The off,
| cial inquiry may require two or three
days before action Is taken.