Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1915-01-21
EXPECT BRITISH
TO SEIZE DAC|A
Former German Vessel
Ready to Sail from Gal
weston With Cotton.
u. S. WILL NOT AID
Secretary Bryan Makes it Clear That
State Department Has "Waslled Its
Hands" Of Dacia Matter, and Ex.
plains Why.

Washington, Jan, 20.-The state
department, according to admissions
of officials today, has washed its
hands of the steamship Dacia case,
which involves the question Of
whether an American-oWned ship,
carrying an American-owned cargo
of Gotten to neutral port with
register guaranteed by this govern
ment, can proceed to its destination
without seizure and detention by the
British.
Secretary of State Bryan made it
very plain today that this govern
ment does not propose to take any
further steps as to the Dacia than
already has been taken by the de-
partment.
Ali the department did was to ask
the British government as a special
favor to allow the Dacia to proceed
from Galveston, Texas, to Rotterdam.
This request was made after the
British government formally had
notified the state department that
she objected to the registry of the
Dacia, even as guaranteed by the
American department of commerce.
Mr. Bryan said, explaining the
present attitude OF the government to
the Dacia, that "the state depart
ment was not responsible for the
,Dacia." He further emphasized ex-
listing relations to the ship by point
ing out carefully that "the state de-
partment was not consulted origin
ally as to the purchase"
Washington, Jan. 20.-Representa-
tives of the owner of the steamer
Dacia, now loading cotton at Calves
ton, Texas, for Rotterdam or Bre-
men, have informed the state depart
ment that as soon as loaded the
steamer will proceed on her voyage,
regardless of the decision of the
British government to seize her.
1t was said at the department to-
day that Ambassador Pages state
ment that the British government
had declined to sanction the Dacia's.
voyage was regarded as final, though
no formal OR official communication
from the British government to that
effect SO far has been received.
The department has no present I'M
'tention Of taking any further action
in the case of making additional rep
reservations to the British govern
ment at this stage. If the Dacia
proceeds and is seized and brought
before prize court it is believed
that in view of the novelty and i'm
portance of the issues involved the
department will instruct the Amer
lean ambassador in London to have
the United States government legally
represented before the court, if that
is permitted by the rules; otherwise
to keep the state department closely
informed of the case as it progresses.
Ready to Sail.
Galveston, Texas, Jan. 20.-Load-
ing the cargo of cotton of the steam
ship Dacia was completed this after
noon. There is a growing belief in
shipping circle here that the Dacia
which may be seized by the British
government despite her presen!
American registry if she sails for
Rotterdam, will proceed from this
port to Norfolk for coal and On the
voyage up the coast will stay within
running distance of the three-mile
limit. This will enable her to escape
capture by any British warships for
at least part of her journey.
There are persistent rumors that
British war vessels are in the Gulf
of Mexico and are also watching the
Florida straits, ready to seize the Da-
cia if she appears on the high seas.
1t is believed that it is the inten-
ton of the British to take the Dacia
to Bermuda in case she is seized
shortly after sailing.