New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
New Instructions Given
on Neutrality Rules for
Shipping.
ALL RESERVISTS MAY
SAIL IF UNARMED
British Protest ReScinds Drastic
. Orders-Malone Told
How to Act.

from INC AflnANc Nalfn".I
wellington. Aug. instructions to
.0llsetors Of customs regarding ior-
s,,n hound vessels we're issued this
.f,ernoon by the secretaries OF the
treasury and Commerce, following
conference Of department officials the
rost important order bearing on the
European war being to the effect tnS'
,rv vessel whose character as mer-
,bsnt vessel is established to your
..fsfsetjon is entitled to clearance
= matter what the character Of her
cargo or what her destination.
Another order is that the collectors
shall not refuse clearance TO mer-
chant vessels. whether Of the United
states or other neutral power or
vh.ther OF a belligerent power, sole
" on the ground that the cargo con
aims eontraband Of war
Directions are given to the collectors
% notify the Treasury Department I'M
medjately when a vessel of belhger-
,nt power which has arrived as mer-
chant vessel alters or attempts to alter
her status. or there is reason to be,
Ieve that alterations are contemplate
with view 70 converting such vessei
;rto an auxiliary cruiser or armed
vessel in any degree. IL is set forth
rat any of the following acts VIII
constitute a change of status;
"The placing in position or other
wise changing the location OF guns
w,ieh were on board the vessel at the
time of her arrival.
so changing the appearance, Color
-iV or equipment Of a vessel as 10
render her suitable for some purposes
Of war.
"The taking on board of guns, arms
ar ammunition under circumstances
which in any way indicate the outnt.
ting OF the vessel for any purpose OF
var. or in aid Of a military eXpedl-
ton
They are also instructed 10 wire I'M
mediately the arrival and departure Of
All war vessels Of foreign nations.
Protests from Great Britain were to-
dsv given as the reason for the drastic
orders now rescinded. Because OF the
absence Of Secretary Redteld and the
inability 10 secure final and expert
onipion. representatives of the State
and Treasury departments drew up
set OF rules so rigid that the case OF
snv shin whose status was at all ques-
tionable would be referred back to
Washington.
This step, which held up the clear
auce of the German ship Naterland,
filed with reserves for Emperor Will,
isnl's army, brought forth an official
inquiry to-day from the German En-
bsssy. The status of the Vaterland
and all other ships Of belligerent pow
ers is now established by the new reg
ulstions.
The matter has resolved itself, &C
cordinS TO officials here, into cues
ton OF facts, and the clearance OF the
French liners Lorraine and Rocham-
beau. known 10 carry reserves, was eX-
planned on the ground that both car
ried mixed passenger lists and were
not equipped as ships OF war.
Under the new regulations Euro
pean reservists will be allowed 10 sail
for their home countries if they are
not in uniform, do not carry arms, and
60 as individuals.
Conflict of authority between the
over the enforcement of neutrality in
American waters may make il neces-
sary for President Wilson TO decide
where the final authority shall rest.
I'VE think clearance must be
granted when supposed reservists 60
as individuals and not as organized
military, unless there are other
grounds for Withholding"
This was the message sent to Dud-
ley Field Malone, Collector of Gus
toms at New York, by the Department
OF Commerce to-day in answer TO his
inquiry as to whether the steamer
Rochambesu, preparing TO leave New
York for France with a number Of
supposed reservists, should be al
lowed to depart.
President Wilson to-day issued
proclamation Of neutrality to apply
10 the state Of war between Austria
Hungary and Russia. 1t is similar in
terms 20 those already issued.