Evening star., 1914-08-09
Grave Questions Considered in
Connection With the Presi-
dents Proclamation.
AVOIDANCE OF TROUBLE
WITH THE BELLIGERENTS
Proposed Departure Of German Reser-
visits Aboard Liner Regarded as
Most Perplexing.

war between Great Britain and Germany,
as well as in the conflict between Ger
many and her other enemies, have en-
gagged the attention Of the authorities
here. OF these two questions in inter-
national law, the more serious is consid-
cred to be the problem arising from the
purpose OF the vaterland. a German
liner, and therefore an auxiliary of the
Hamburg carrying German reservists
and presumably arms and ammunition to
the home forces. which face a conflict
with practically all OF Europe.
The other problem grows out of the
sale and delivery to the Canadian gov
ernment Of two powerful submarine
sells just completed for the Chilean gov
ernment at Seattle. Wash The sale was
consummated at Seattle and the vessels
delivered to Victoria, B. c.. Tuesday
night, the day before the issuance Of
President Wilson's proclamation of neu-
trality. Twenty-four hours later it would
have been impossible for Great Britain
to have acquired these formidable fight
ing craft in American territory.
Question Regarded as Serious.
Diplomats admit that the triple prob
lem brought to their attention in the
case Of the Eaterland is too great one
upon which to venture an opinion off
hand. In the first place it was pointed
out that the building of giant ocean
liners auNiliaries to the navies of the
nations whose flag they fly is of COM
paratively recent practice. That prac-
tice. therefore. raises an altogether new
question in international law. Officials
said if the Vaterland put to sea strictly
as commercial vessel and changed her
character outside of the territorial
waters of the United States it would be
none of Uncle Sans business. But the
Vaterlan das she rests at anchor in New
York harbor shows her special construc-
ton, which is of great enough strength
to permit the mounting of heavy guns on
her decks. and. for all the officials know,
these guns may already be aboard the
ship. Anyway. reservists to augment
the kaiser's forces are there and prob
ably liberal supply of munitions Of
war This latter detail would be deter
mined by the examination Of the ships
manifest.
So in many respects the Vaterland case
is without precedent. One veteran diplo-
mat said all of the questions involved
could hardly be determined until they
are brought up in the prize courts which
will follow the conclusion OF the great
conflict now being waged across the seas.
So one would venture an opinion as
to what could legally be done If the
under the twelve-tnch guns of the Florida.
to take chances of avoiding her enemies
In the long run across the Atlantic None
OF those who discussed the case thought
the Vaterland had many OF the marks
of a commercial ship.
Wilson Explicit in Proclamation.
The provision in President Wilson's
neutrality proclamation applicable to the
purchase or equipment Of vessels in the
United States by either Germany or
Great Britain is explicit. In some re-
spects it was thought to apply to the
Vaterland case as well to the sale at
Seattle. Among the forbidden acts are:
Fitting out and arm.ng. or attempting to
fit out and arm. or procuring to be fitted
out and armed, or knowingly being con-
cerned in the furnishing. fitting out or
arming of any ship or vessel with intent
that such ship or vessel shall be EN-
ployed in the service Of either of the
belligerents.
OF course, in the case of the sale of the
submarines it was pointed out that the
sale is alleged to have been consum-
mated at least a day before the issuance
of the neutrality proclamation. 1t was
recalled that the United States. In an
ticipation of the Spanish war. took over
from Brazil the contracts for the cruisers
Albany and New Orleans. then under
construction in an English shipyard The
New Orleans was delivered before the
actual outbreak of hostilitIes, and saw
service in the bombardment of Santiago
and throughout the war. The Albany
could not be delivered until after the war
was closed
Revenue Cutters as Law Enforcers.
In the enforcement OF the neutrality
laws il is expected that the first re-
spon sbility will be upon the rapid craft
of the revenue cutter service, especially
in the great lakes and boundary water
of Canada. These swift craft viii scuh
around like spitfres looking for violators
of the neutrality which the United states
has promised solemnly to observe Shou,1
a formidable craft be run down it world
not be unlikely that the naval vessels
would be called into action. In all prob
ability the naval craft will lie all along
the coasts. in such stations that they
may readily cooperate with the revenue
cutters.
In the great lakes some question may
rico over the presence of armed vessels
there tacit agreement reached nearly
\ century ago forbade either Canada or
the United States to maintain any con-
siderable number OF armed vessels IN
those boundaries But that agreement
has been lived up to In spirit rather than
in letter SO that there have been many
technical violations on both sides, which
never have aroused any controversy IN
wears past the United States has never
encountered any objection to sending
warships into the great lakes Tor naval
militia rnaneuvers. But it was pointed
out that this attitude might change
should Uncle Sam send his fighting craft
M there to spy on Canada's international
manners.