The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-22
united STATES PROTESTS
TO BRITISH GOVERNMENT
Amerlcan-Owned Steamer John d.
Rockefeller" Seized by English
War Vessel.
TAKEN TO ORKNEY ISLANDS
Ambassador Page at London Is In
structed to Ask for Immediate Re-
lcase-Similar Action In Case OF
the BrindilIa May BE Taken.

WASHINGTON. October ol,--Thc
United States has protested to Great
Britain against the seizure by Brit
ish warship of the American tank
steamer John D. Rockefeller. This
wan announced to-day by Acting Sec
rotary Lansing. of tho state Depart
iucut.
As the Rockefeller was American
owned. iiew the American nag ana no
change of registry WAS involved. the
American government considers the
seizure unwarrantcd. She had Amer
lean officers and crew.
The ship WAS bound from one neutral
port to another, leaving Philadelphia
September 2. for Copenhagen, and car
rcd illuminating OIL which Secretary
Lansing said had not been .ciassed as
contraband In any notification re-
ceived from Great Britain. The vessel
was taken to the Orkney Islands The
protest Was made to the British gov
crnmcnt through AInba ssador Page. at
London. who, was instructed to ask for
the immediate release of tile Rookie
relier.
SIR. Lansing said that no representa-
tons or protest had been made IA the
case Of the steamer Isrindilla, taken
recently to Halifax. He added that he
was awaiting further information as
to the character of her cargo, and the
condition under which she was seized
President Wilson Today, but declined
TO say whether the seizure OF the
ships would be discussed. AS the cargo
of the Brindilla was tho same ms the
Pockcfeller's, the governments action
to-day was taken to foreshadow an
other protest: and demand for release.
unless some difficulty in the change of
the Brindilla's registry. not yet devel-
oped comes up.
TO KEEP FROM GERMANY
GARGOf:S OF OIL
Great Britain's determination TO keep
from Germany cargoes OF illuminating
oil, which might be made fuel for army
motor trucks, Zeppeiins and aeroplanea.
is responsible for the seizure of Amer
lean Standard OIL vessels by the British
cruisers. This fact was developed in
conference here to-day after the State
Department had requested release OF
the tanker John -. Rockefeller
The Standard oil Company has ask ed
the state Department To secure re-
lease OF two more OF its ships. the
Brindilla and Platuria. Like the
Rockefeller, they we're captured by
british warships while bound from
American ports to neutral countries,
carrying Illuminating oil.
only In the case of the Rockefeller
however, has the department. felt war
ranted in taking Immediate steps II
was under the American flag before the
war began. and, therefore, was not sub
ject to questions that might arise in
connection with the other two, which
were changed from foreign registry
under the recent act OF Congress.
The understanding at the British
embassy is thar Illuminating oil has
been regularly declared contra band by
the British government but that the
notice. has not yet been received by
other powers.
Another angle of the question of
transporting goods in neutral ships APP
pcared to-day when Mr.. van Rappard.
the Dutch minister, appealed to the
State Department to secure for Dutch
vessels the privilege of conveying
neutral German goods to America.
If this privilege IS extended to Dutch
vessels. Dutch shipping interests. now
greatly depressed would be much re-
licvcd.