Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-23
Formal Protest to Be Made to
Great Britain Against Deten-
ton of the PIaturia. !
CHIEF QUESTION INVOLVED
IS CHANGE OF REGISTRY
Action in Case of Tanker Rockefeller
Taken So That American Boats
May Carry Oil to Neutral Ports.

The United States has decided to
formally protest to Great Britain
against the seizure of the Standard Oh
ship. the Platuria. demanding her re-
lease from British detention at Storno-
way. port in the Lewis Islands. Scot
land.
The protest. which is identical to that
filed in the case of the Brindilla. held
at Halifax. will go forward late today
TO Ambassador Page. at London.
The Piaturia. which. like the Rrfn-
ollia. carried Illuminating oil. Was SIM
Harry bound from one neutral country
TO another-the United States to Dem
mark-and had changed her registry
from German 70 American although
her ownership was always American
Question of Change in Registry.
Many officials here believed that in
asmuch as the British government yes
terday released the John II. Rookie
teller the action in the cases of the
Brindilla and Platuria would be con-
cerned chiefly with the question of
change of egistry
NO such difficulty arose in the case
OF the Rockefeller. as there was no
question that her ownership was con-
llnuousiy American. Both the Rrin-
dlila and the Flaturia. however. before
the war new the German flag and were
owned by a German subsidiary of the
Standard Oil COMPANY
inasnluch as the American govern
ment has learned that the Standard
vi company of New Jersey has held n
majority control in the German co,n
pany, 1t considers that the ownership
mas been continuously American These
cases. it is believed will settle The
question of how far even a technical
change in ownership affects The bona
sfa
RELEASE OF the tanker John H. Rookie
lelier, with the explanation made per-
sonally to Acting Secretary Lansing
by the British ambassador that the YES
sci was detained only because of doubt
as to the destination of her cargo was
construed as an admission by the Brit
ish government of the right of YES
sells, properly under American registry.
to carry oil without molestation be-
tween neutral ports.
The fact that Great Britain released
the ship only after it had assured it,
self, through the Danish embargo.
there was no opportunity for the oil
to pass into German hands, was looked
upon as concerning only Great Britain
and Denmark.
1t was learned that the State Depart
ment has been informed that all of the
neutral countries in northern Europe
now have placed embargoes upon the
expectation across their borders into
the belligerent countries of any COM
modities that might be used by the
armies or nayies. This, it Is believed.
will reduce to a minimum the chances
of interference with the American car
rying trade.
To facilitate uninterrupted voyages
by merchant vessels carrying food
stuffs, oils, metals and other semf-con-
traband material, it has been suggest
ed that the manifest be vised by Brit
ish consular officers in American ports.
which would insure the ships against
detention by British or french cruz
ers even temporarily to make searches.
This matter is now under CONSIDERS
ton by the officials.
The protest of the State Department.
against the seizure OF the steamer
Brindilla and her detention at Halifax.
with the demand for her release, was
not in the nature of an ultimatum, ac-
cording to State Department ohcials
Prize court proceedings against the
Brindilla. have begun at Halifax The
libel of the British prosecutors falls
to state the alleged cause of ohenss
for which the Brindilla was seized
State Department in a telegram from
Consul General Young at Halifax. 1t
is regarded as extraordinary ana uh-
usual that the complaint Is not de-
fined in the proceedings.
Oil Famine in Denmark.
Concern in the action of Great Brit
ain in the detention of American ves-
sells with cargoes of oil has been
awakened in Denmark by the prospect
of a petroleum famine which has been
reported at the Danish legaflon mere.
Denmark depends upon Russia ana
Roumania and the valleys of the river
Drina for her grain and petroleum.
said the Danish minister, Mr. brun.
land since the declaration OF war TINS
source has been cut off. Now We are
forced to look to America for these
supplies. . ~
ceive, which does not come from Rus
STA, continued the minister, as trans
shipped from Hamburg. This accounts
for the sudden increase in our impor-
tation from the United States since the
beginning of the war.
"There is such a scarcity of gasoline
in Denmark, the minister asserted. that
the country doctors have been 1orceo 10
walk when they make their calls.
The minister stated that the govern
ment has placed an embargo on both
oil and grain. SO that there could be no
objection on the part of any belliGerent
that these supplies were passing
%hr,,,rl, Tho conptry and into the hands