The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-10-28
OIL SHIPS Seized
GREAT BRITAIN NTERfERk'S 5
WITH AMERICAN SHIPPING
ONE SHIP IS Released
British Contention is That Shipments
Are Designed for War Use in Ger
many, Although Consigned to Neu-
trail Countries-State Department
Has Taken IN Natter
Has Taken up Matter.

That Great Britain intends to inter
fere with shipments of American OF
to neutral ports in the vincity Of Ger
many, particularly Danish ports, wa:
established at Washington Wednes
day.
The reason for the British deter
mination already exemplifed by the
seizure Of three American oil ships
the Brindilla, the John D. Rockefel
Ter and the Platuria, all owned BY
the Standard Oil company, is the de-
sire to prevent Germany from getting
fuel for her Zeppelins and aeroplanes
The British maintain that the ship
ments Of oil to Danish ports are in
reality destined for German points
and therefore will not be permitted
to proceed.
The British action goes further to.
ward suggesting that the Danish gov.
ernment is not strict in preserving its
neutrality. 1t is reported that the
British authorities believe that Den.
mark is yielding to the German in
fiuence and can not be trusted to pre-
vent the expectation of contraband OF
war into Germany.
Great Britain recently has made an
arrangement with the United States
whereby American shippers are to en-
Joy their usual access to the markets
Of Holland, Sweden and Denmark,
provided these neutral countries pro-
hibit the expectation Of contrab band
of war to Germany. If the British
suspicious continue to be acted upon
these markets will be at least par
TALLY closed to American shippers of
contraband and conditional contra
band.
The ships were seized by the Brit
ish as follows: The Brindilla, off
Sandy Hook, and now held at Halifax
pending the convening of prize
court; the John D. Rockefeller, of
the Orkney Islands, and the Platuria,
off the north coast of Scotland.
The John D. Rockefeller was re-
leased Thursday, after the State de-
,partment had instructed Ambassador
Page at London to state to the Brit
ish government that she had never
been anything but an American vessel
and to request her immediate re-
lease. The seizure of the Platuria
had not yet been reported to the
state department.
1t is known that the seizure Of the
three American oil vessels has been
taken up in London and is now mat
ter of discussion between the British
foreign office and the american en-
bassy there.
When the British position is off,
cially explained to the United States
there undoubtedly will follow an ex-
tended discussion, as from present
indications the United States not yet
prepared to accept without question
the British claim to right to hold up
these oil or other American vessels
bound for neutral ports.
The British, to support their case,
must first prove that the oil in ques-
ton was destined for the enemy. 1t
is expected that this, in the present
cases, will be very difficult. Fuel, I'M
der which general heading the Brit
ish are chasing all oils which can be
used on oil engines, even including
Illuminating oil, which is now used
in aircraft engines by means OF a
special form of carbureter, is condi-
tional contraband and not absolute
contraband. Were it absolute contra
band of war the British would have
to prove only that the oil was des-
tined to points in Germany. according
10 the rules of the Declaration of
London. which are the basis for the
British admiralty rules in the pres
ent war.
The British, it is believed, are pre-
pared to support to the limit their
action with regard to these oil ships
and subsequent shipments Of oil to
Danish ports which British cruisers
may encounter on the high seas.
There is no intention to take Ameri-
can ships themselves as prisoners, but
merely to condemn or requisition ship
cargoes.
The importance of oil to the Ger
man forces is fully appreciated in
England. where little else is discuss
ed but the possibility Of great raid
of Zeppelins and German aeroplanes
across the English channel. Besides
this, oil and gasoline are playing an
important part thus far in the NOV
ing Of Germany's big war motor
trucks, carrying guns and provisions.
Germany has no important oil field
of her own to draw on, so that unless
she has very large supply of gaso-
line and oil stored, importations be-
come absolutely necessary.