New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-07
NEUTRALITY TEST
FOR ALL CARCOES
Strict Rules Will Be En-
forced to Stop Contra
band Trade.

stringent regulations TO prevent. Iht
departure from the port of New York
of foreign vessels bearing cargo
classed as contraband Of war, or sup
plies to assist any of the belligeren'
European powers, as foretold in The
Tribune yesterday, will be put into ef.
feet to-day by Collector Dudley Field
Malone. The question Of allowing
steamships flying foreign flags to sal
from here with cabins filled with re-
servists was forwarded to Washington
to be decided upon. An announcement
as to the policy of the United States
in allowing the departure of vessels
on such missions will be made by the
Collector to-day.
The strictest inspection of the load
ing of steamers, cargoes and mani
tests will be made by the Custom
House while the war across the At
lantic is being waged. When clear
ance papers for an outbound steamer
are granted at the Collectors office
they will be only temporary. The final
decision as to whether or not the YES
sells shall be allowed to depart will
rest with naval authorities stationed
on the battleship Florida, at anchor
off Tompkinsyle, Staten Island.
Collector Malone received instruc-
tions Yesterday from the Treasury De
partment 10 allow no steamer to clear
port before taking out a manifest on
which every article of cargo was de-
tailed. Following the receipt Of the
message the Collector called council
Of the best legal experts in the local
customs service. A system of prellml-
nary inspection b. customs officials
stationed on the docks. the force OF
which has been doubled, was worked
out.
"ln order 10 carry out the provisions
Of the proclamation Of neutrality is
sued by President Wilson," Collector
Malone stated last night, "the old
skeleton manifest of ships cargoes has
been dispensed with and a complete
manifest of every article making up
the cargo must be presented at the
Custom House for inspection before
being sworn TO by the master Of the
ship. He must call here in person and
himself sec the Collector to answer
any questions VIC may see NJ 10 put
to him regarding the cargo Of the ship
or the destination OF the vessel.
thereafter there will be doubled
customs guard on all piers where
steamers arc loading. Not only will
they watch what comes to the pier by
truck. but will keep a sharp eye on
bargcs and lighters that come along
side. They have the right to make a
close inspection Of everything that
goes aboard Even at the hatchways
of the ship there will be men stationed
to observe what is lowered into the
holds.
"lf there is any suspicion on tho
part of the customs guards that con-
traband or munitions of war for for
eign powers are being taken on the
steamer, the customs men have the
right to open the cases or whatever
the container may be. and sec with
their own eyes what is being loaded
If they are uncertain Of the nature OF
the cargo they may suspend the load
ing of the vessel until board Of ex-
perts passes judgment. The men will
be on the piers night and day. Any
time they observe violation Of the
federal governments rulings they will
notify the Custom House.
In the event Of ship endeavoring
TO slip away from her pier without
being cleared through the proper chan
nels, the owners of the vessel pre-
ferring to pay the fine OF $500 attachel
to such a violation of the port regula-
tions, the guards on the piers will i'm.
mediately communication with the
battleship Florida, which will prevent
the departure of all steamers in any
but the regular and proper way.
81 have picked a squad of thirty
young, active men," said Collector
Malone yesterday, who will proceed
at once to any vessel about which a
complaint has been made by a piel
inspector. The special squad will be
under the direction of George Lamb
of the law division of the Custom
House, who is particularly we'll versed
in what constitutes breach of the
neutrality the President has pledged
this country to observe"
The new system of inspection. the
Collector declared, will become effec-
tive to-day. All vessels which are
given temporary clearance papers al
the Custom House will take on board
before they leave their pier a uni
formed customs officer. who will pro
ceed with the vessel until it stops off
Tompkinsville. There an officer from
the Florida will come on board, and
he and the customs official will be the
final tribunal to decide whether the
nature Of the cargo warrants I'M
hindered departure.
Collector Malone also held con-
ference yesterday afternoon with the
English, French, Austro-Hungarian
Russian, German and Seryian consuls
in this city. lie outlined to them
the policy which would become ofrec-
tive this morning, and warned them
that temporary seizure of the vessel
would result in the detection Of yio-
lation. He also asked them to INFORM
him of any violation or attempted VIC
lation Of the neutrality laws that
came to their attention.