New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-16
MUST NOT TOUCH
REFUGEE VESSELS
United States Informs the
Powers II Will Consider
Such Ships Neutral.

Washington, Aug. 15.--The United
States government has notified the
powers of Europe that it will regard
as neutral "ships chartered for the
sole purpose of repatriating its citi-
zens who are now stranded in Europe"
and has asked the belligerent govern
ments for a declaration on the subject.
The announcement follows:
"The State Department has issued
instructions to its diplomatic repre-
sentatives in Europe TO notify the
different governments to which they
are accredited that this government
will regard ships chartered for the
sole purpose of repatriating its citi-
zons who are now stranded in Europe,
due to the lack of transportation ia
cilities resulting from the war, as
neutral lines, under the principles Of
international law and as coming within
tie meaning of Article 4 of the Hague
convention in 1907, having to do with
the rights Of capture in naval warfare
OF neutralized vessels that are charged
with a philanthropic mission. The
different European governments have
been asked for declarations 10 this eff
feet"
Sounded Powers First.
The government took this position
after several days of careful study of
the situation and, ii is believed, after
indications from some Of the bellig
erent powers that ships bearing Ameri-
cans would not be molested.
Dispatches from Berlin during the
day said the German government would
| endeavor to neutralize any vessels
bearing refugee Americans, and it is
| known that the Austrian government
| has been seeking definite assurance
/ that the other powers would regard as
neutral German owned ships now in
/ Austrian ports ready to take Ameri
| cans home.
No objection is anticipated from
/ England or France, and the success of
/ the project is looked upon by State De-
/ partment officials as assured.
Article 4 of the Second Hague Con-
vention, to which the European pow
ers are signatories, says:
"Vessels charged with religious,
scientific or philanthropic missions are
exempt from capture"
This clearly includes foreign ref
ugees, in the opinion of the American
government. With the naturalization
of ships owned by belligerents and
with the facilities previously provided
for the relief of Americans, the prob
lem Of bringing Americans home from
war-torn Europe is believed to have
been solved.
Sufficient Ships Sure.
Not only will there be sufficient ships
for the purpose, but a regular passen-
ger service from the belligerent coun-
tries to neutral territory for the han
ding of all foreign refugees may re-
suit from the action of the American
government.
The most immediate need of ships
is in German ports. The following an
nouncement was made in this connec-
ton by Secretary Bryan tonight:
1.-The Department of State has re-
ceived cable advices from the American
Ambassador at Berlin TO the effect that
the German government is permitting
American citizens TO leave the empire
IL that government blockades any port
Americans will be allowed TO leave
From Ambassador Gerard also came
advices that the American cruiser Ten
nessee, bearing gold for the relief OF
Americans, would be allowed TO land
at a German port, either Bremen or
Hamburg, whichever may be found
more convenient when the cruiser is
ready TO proceed from England TO Ger
many.
The charter Of additional vessels and
other measures for the relief of Ameri-
cans abroad were discussed at a con-
ference of the Federal Relief Board
at the Treasury Department to-day.
Secretary McAdoo announced that the
/ six transports chartered by the board
TO bring Americans home would be
made ready without delay, their desti-
nation TO be determined by conditions
at the time Of sailing.
Big Liners Helping Situation.
Reports from American ambassadors
and diplomats indicate that the situa-
ton has been considerably relieved by
the release for transatlantic service OF
the liners Lusitania, Mauritania. Olym-
pic and Saxon;a. The restoration OF
these vessels will help solve the trans
portation problem, though some steam
| shin authorities estimate that fully
100000 Americans await passage home.
The demands OF stranded Americans
for ready money have been somewhat
relieved. The board was informed that
the banks now are honoring letters OF
II