The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1914-10-24
SEXES
AMERICAN SHIPS
CargOes Of Oil Are Believed In
tended for Germany.
THREE VESSELS ARE TAKEN

England Contends That Shipments OF
c~ontraband, Though Directed to
Denmark, Are Really Destined to
German and Turkish Ports-Den-
mark Violates Neutrality
Acting Secretary Of State Lansing m
nounced that the United States had
protested 10 Great Britain against
the seizure Of the oil steamer Brln-
dIlla, now at Halifax, Is unJustifi-
able and had demanded her imme-
date release.
WASHINGTON, ID. C.-That Great
Britain intends TO interfere with ship
ments OF American oil 10 neutral
ports In the vicinity of Germany, par.
ticularly Danish ports, has been es'
tablished here. The reason for the
British determination already exem.
plihed by the seizures OF three Ameri-
can OIL ships is the desire TO prevent
Germany from getting fuel for her
air craft-her Zeppelins and aero
plaies. The British maintain that the
shipments of oil to Danish ports which
have been already seized are In real
ity destined for German points and
will not therefore be permitted TO pro-
coed.
Denmark Violates Neutrality?
The British action goes further
towards suggesting that the Danish
government Is not as strict as IL
should be in preserving its neutrality.
II Is reported here that the British
authorities have reason 70 believe
that Denmark is yielding to the Ger
mar influence and cannot be trusted
to prevent the expectation OF contra
band OF war into Germany. Great
Britain has recently made an arrange
inert with the United States whereby
American shippers are TO enjoy their
usual access to the markets OF Hol-
land. Sweden and Denmark. provided
these neutral countries prohibit the
expectation OF c~ontraband OF war to
Germany. II the British suspicious
continue to be acted upon these mar
kets will be at least partially closed
TO American shippers of c%ontraband
and conditional contraband.
The ships seized by the British
thus far are the Brindilla, held at
Halifax, pending the converting OF a
prize court; the John ID. Rockefeller,
seized OF the Orkney islands; and
the Platoria, seized OF the north
coast OF Scotland. All these vessels
10 the Standard Oil company
and were carrying oil.
The state department is without
precise information as 10 the cause
OF the seizure OF the Brindilla and is
waiting developments at Halifax be-
fore proceeding on behalf OF the ships.
II has been reported that the validity
os the transfers was TO be questioned,
bit Il Is now intimated that the
charge will be that her cargo OF oil
was eventually to reach German or
Turkish points. Members OF congress
here and others are beginning 10
chafe under the delay OF the state de
partnent IN ascertaining the exact
cause for the seizure OF the Ameri-
can vessels.
Asks Roekefeller's Release.
IN the case OF the Rockefeller, there
being no question regarding It's own.
and registry. the state depart
ment instructed Ambassador Page az
TO state TO the British govern
ment that she has never been any
thing but an American vessel and TO
re- iuest her immediate release.
From present indications the Unit
ed States is not yet prepared TO ac-
cepi without question the British
claim TO a right TO hold up these oil
or oil er American vessels bound for
neutral ports
The British, It Is said, are prepared
TO go the limit in support OF their
with regard TO these oil ships
and subsequent shipments OF oil to
ports which British cruisers
may encounter on the high seas
Is no intention 10 take AmerI.
can ships themselves as prisoners but
TO condemn or requisition the
ships cargoes.
IL was learned today that the seiz-
ure OF the three American vessels has
taken up in London and Il is
now Q matter OF discussion between
the British foreign office and the
American embassy there.