Gilpin observer., 1915-02-04
THE oAcIA INCIDENT

Great Britain has officially inform
ed this country that the Dacia,
ship recently transferred to the Am
erican flag after purchase from her
German owners, will be regarded as
subject to seizure as a prize of war
If she sails from America bound for
a German or a Dutch port. Thus it
appears certain that II the plan Of
sending the Dacia to Rotterdam or
Bremen, laden with cotton for Ger
many, is carried out, diplomatic com
plications will result which may bring
to a settlement some of the contro-
versies between this country ead
London, with reference to the British
treatment of American shipping.
1t is admitted that the cotton which
might be shipped aboard the Dacia
is not subject to seizure. 1t is also
admitted that the Dacia might be
transferred to American ownership
without violation of the laws of ma
ticns. and that would not be subject
to seizure under such circumstances.
Apparently the only question about
which there is controversy is wheth-
er or not the Dacia has actually been
transferred to an American citizen,
or whether an effort has been made
to relieve the owners of the vessels
CT the dangers of sailing her while
the war lasts through a subterfuge
rather than an actual sale.
The government at Washington
does not seem disposed to insist too
strenuously upon the rights of the
Dacia under the circumstances. While
eager to do anything within their
power to supply bottoms for the ship
ment of American cotton, govern
ment officials at Washington are ap-
parently taking due precaution to
avoid getting into diplomatic straits
because of private transaction. For
that reason extraordinary. precaution
has been taken to avoid a breach
with Great Britain over the Dacia
case or any similar case.
| If the Dacia sails it is known be-
forehand that she may be seized
though her cargo be not contraband.
either absolute or conditional In case
! the American people would not be
thrown into a fever of excitement
by the seizure of an American YES
Sci which, anyway the facts might be
presented to them after the act,
would not appear to be subject to in
terference
Amy naticn at war would exercise
the same precaution with reference to
vessels carrying the flag of an enemy
nation at the beginning of hostilities
Cases have been cited in these col
! umns where American vessels in war
time have seized merchantmen carry
, ing neutral flags, and have disposed
of them as prizes of war
| Apparently the American govern
ment is convinced that the transfer
OF the Dacia was bona fide. But all
the facts in the case can not be pre-
sented to a foreign country unless
| some occasion for their presentation
arises. Great Britain apparently is
not satisfied. and has stated that the
Dacia might be seized if she sailed
for Bremen or Rotterdam. In that
case the question of her ownership
would be brought up, since she would
carry. a non-contraband cargo, and
all evidence could be presented.
| We are disposed to believe that
there has been undue interference on
the part of Great Britain with the
commerce of this and other neutral
exacted after the war. No amount Of
damages that the allies could be ex-
pected to pay would compensate, how
ever. for the Decentralization suffered
by American shipping. By making
formal objections to some OF the prac
tices Of Great Britain. as this coun
try has done in it's note of December
%, basis has been laid for claim
ing damages resulting from similar
practices that may have been con-
tinued after the protest.
But the case OF the Dacia Is differ
ent. II the American shipping bill
had passed and the transfer OF the
Dacia had been made to this govern
ment, or to a corporation in the own
ership and management Of which this
country had part, then serious COM
plications might arise II a foreign
country questioned the manner in
which the transfer had been made.
Therein lies what appears to us to be
the most effective argument used
against the government ship-owning
| bfll-NeWs.