The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11

was accepted there without question
when IL was transmitted
In fact officials Of the state Depart
ment asserted that when the agitation
first began in New York they were satis-
fed that there had been no violations
of neutrality at that port. Neverthe-
less it has been admitted that II Is pos
sible for tugs or even larger craft 10
proceed out To sea. meet belligerent war
ships lying off the coast and supply
them with information or provisions or
other material which they might need
without the acts being easily detected.
The belief is growing here In tho light
~ facts that have been dug mp re-
Gently that this is precisely what has
been occurring.
Treasury Depn ri ent Neglected..
Attention is called by those apparently
best Informed on the subject to the
irreguarity with which naval vessels
have been engaged IN neutrality patrol
duty off New York and other harbors
The statement Is made that the With
drawal OF the extensive naval patrols in
stituted last summer was due to Treas
ury officials. who repre- scented that the
use of warships was quite unnecessary
and that the vessels of the coast guard
service were competent to cope with the
situation. In this connection 1t is
charged that subordinate officers OF the
Treasury marine service have been guilty
or laxness in connection with the sup
plying OF British warships.
II Is recalled that recently the Navy
Department was called on for warships
FOR neutrality patrol duty. The gunboat
Dolphin was suddenly sent UP to New
York from Washington, followed by the
assignment of destroyer from the
winter naval base at Guantanamo. The
cruiser Brooklyn was hauled out Of the
Boston navy yard. where she was serv-
irS as receiving ship. and assigned 10
similar duty on Boston harbor II IL
now asserted that this sudden restora.
ton Of the naval patrol was due to com
plants that TIA" port authorities were
not exercising a proper vigilance.
Just where the responsibility will b.
placed for the laxnese that is alleged is
not yet known here. II is known, how
ever. that officials Of the Treasury and
state departments are now becoming
Interested intensely in the situation and
that tho result is likely to lie uncom.
Portable for some one.
tsscrt Money Was Paid.
In the highest official circles here
tho fact that until recently 10 'nklirr
OF ~hdt was going on was communi.
Gated to Washington II is said that
certain officials In New York and else.
! where have known for long time tina
improper acts were being commit d
but for one reason or another failaC
/ "a mako any report 20 Washington
! This has given rise to the suspicio-
20 which expression has been given here
that the sudden publicity given tn,
whole situation in New York ind else.
where was for the purpose OF forestall,
ing revelation OF the facts in a les,
convenient way.
Informal ~ reaching here Include,
! the sta'cmeS that 4 number Of persons
have received large sums of money as
profits or IN return for services rer,
| dered in connection with unneutral acts
! In violation Of the neutrality regula,
! tons. Just how far the profits of III,
service Were distributed among all thos,
I who participated in or had knowledg,
OF them has not yet been made clear.