New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-14
BRITAIN PROTESTS
TRANSFER OF SHIPS
Objects in Principle to
German Vessels Under
American Flag.


Tondon. Jan. 13.-The British gov
eminent. through Ambassador Spring
Rice. has informally Informed the
American government that u objects
in principle to the transfer Of German
ships TO the American fag as beng a
violation of we'll accepted international
law. At the same time, however, the
intjmation is given that IN certain CIR
cumstances Great Britain will waive
objections in favor of America.
The present action, which IN meas
uro constitutes a reiteration of pre-
,lous statement of the British attitude
TO America. is caused by the transfer
of the German steamer D2cla and the
ronort that she is 10 engage IN trade
with Germany IF she does, Great
Rritain will exercise what are consid-
cred her rights and seize the Dacia.
The government here is exceedingly
anxious to avoid all Misunderstanding
with America, and for that reason It's
attitude is being fully explained TO
Washington in advance. For the same
reason The Tribune correspondent Is
able to outline the British position
with authority.
A second point Of Importance when
hitherto has not been exploited Is that
Great Britain will also require that
such ships as are transferred with her
acouiescence must dispense with DER
man crews. England does not care TO
risk having German crews proceed 10
Euroncan countries. like Holland, for
instance. and there. desert and return
10 Germany. II is understood that
President Wilson has already made an
agreement that this will not be done.
There is much more behind these
negotiations concerning the transfer
of ships than is generally known.
When President Wilson first proposed
the ship purchase bill he sounded the
British government on its attitude. lie
was informed, along the same lines as
now, that the British government held
such proposed transfers Illegal, but nm
certain circumstances would withhold
protest. Great Britain then stated as
an example that If ships acquired from
Germany engaged in South American
/ trade no objection would be made. Her
position now is that she objects to
ships engaging in any trade which the
enemy would directly or indirectly
benefit. The Dacia engaging in trade
with Germany would be concrete
/ case of what Great Britain VIII not
/ stand for.
There is one report here to-day that
! the British government would object
| to transferred ships engaging IN any
! European trade. This conflicts with
/ President Wilson's Indianapolis speech,
/ in which he stated that 1t was desired
/ to acquire ships in order TO lower At
lantic rates. Inquiry in authoritative
/ quarters tonight brought forth the
/ statement that any blanket assertion
/ that Great Britain will prohibit par
/ ticipation in European trade is not ac-
| curate.
A more accurate definition OF her at
/ titude is that Great Britain will not
/ permit commerce with the enemy. Al
/ the same time il is considered that II
I ia not for England to set forth COM
/ plete rules and regulations, but rather
/ for the purchasers to take the militia
/ tive and inquire of England whenever
/ there is a question Of the usage Of such
/ transferred ships.
When President Wilson made in
curry as to the attitude of Great
| Britain the Latin-American trade was
/ instanced as an example, but this did
/ not mean that the activity of the ships
/ should be restricted to that zone.
The whole matter is considered most
/ serious here and looked upon as full
/ Of danger. which the government rs
exceedingly anxious to avoid. The
present representations TO Washington
are the result Of careful study by the
Cabinet. The British government has
high regard for American public opin-
/ ion. and will do its utmost not to
ieopardizc it. On that basis, IT may
| be Judged how cautiously the govern
ment approached the problem Of de-
/ Gliding to protest against the transfer
of ships. in view Of the certainty Of
/ German agents making capital Of the
British objections, and how important
! il considers the present decision TO
I object to be. We're il considered an
unimportant matter the government
would take no action.