The Washington herald., 1914-09-01
warn u. 5. ABOUT
GERMAN VESSELS
England and France Oppose
Purchase of Liners for
Merchant Marine.
NEUTRALITY ISNYOLVED
British Ambassador Makes Situation
Plain to Bryan that Deal Would
Cause Entanslements.

The United States government now un-
derstands that II will meet with opposi-
ton from Great Britain and France II
any attempt is made to purchase a fleet
Of vessels from the North German Lloyd
or the Hamburg-American lines.
Sir Cecil Spring Rice, the British Am
bassador, called at the State Department
yesterday, and while he did not lodge any
formal protest by Great Britain, he
communicated informally the views OF
his government on the reported inten-
ton of the United States to acquire Ger
man vessels for use in building up a
merchant marine.
Gives EnEIand's Attitude.
This intimation of Great Britain's at
titude, together with the more pronounced
stand of the French government has
brought the United States face to face
with a situation which many here oe-
lieved would develop when the pro-
posal was first broached to have the
government go into the shipping busi-
ness. The attitude of Great Britain and
France will be just the same toward any
attempt on the part Of American private
capital to buy and transfer the North
German-IIoyd or Hamburg-American
feet of merchantmen as 1t would be to-
ward the transaction II carried out by the
United States government itself The
prospect of a sale of these big vessels
seems. there, TO be dwindling
Great Britain has made II clear to the
State Department that she does not
want to obstruct any effort by the United
States government to build UP mer-
chant marine. There are, however In
her opinion, many questions which must
be considered, each on its merits.
The case Of the wholesale purchase Of
vessels OF a German company, however,
will, undoubtedly bring a protest from
Great Britain. The payment Of 10
large sum would amount, in her opin-
ion, TO the favoring OF one OF the bel
ligerents over others.
II Great Britain refused to recognize
the transfer OF the German vessels from
the German to the American flag, her
only recourse would be to seize them
and carry the matter before an English
prize court. II was pointed out yester-
day that international law is absolutely
without any precedent involving the
transfer Of a large fleet of vessels under
conditions such as are now suggested.
As Viewed in the Past.
Great Britain has in the past made the
question Of the bona fide character of the
sale the test for the validity Of a trans
fer from a belIigerent to a neutral na-
ton after hostilities had been begun.
The Declaration OF London makes the
test hinge on whether or not the trans
fer is effected In order TO avoid the con-
sequences of war.
Great Britain has held heretofore that
the transfer was valid II the sale was
bona fide in every respect France, how
ever, has taken a more pronounced view
and has refused to recognize the transfer
OF any ship from a belligerent to a neu-
trail flag after hostilities had been begun.
Doubt is expressed here that President
Wilson will undertake to purchase any
OF the German vessels in view OF the
probable attitude of Great Britain and
France.