The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-31
DIPLOMATIC ANGLES
Of MARINE BILL ARE /.
WIDELY DISCUSSED.
RumOr That England Will
Consider Purchase of Enc
mics Ships an Unneutral
Act Is Officially Denied

Washington. January aO-Diplomatic
angles of the proposal embodied in the
pending shipping bill for purchase OF
merchant ships by the United States gov
eminent were widely discussed today as n
result of a report that Sir Edward Grey
had Informed the state department that
purchase of any German or Austrian
ships would be regarded as an unneutra
act
1t was stated positively al the state
department and at the British embassy
been received from the British foreign
office. Not only has the American gov
eminent not asked OF received Great
Britain's views, but no expressions of an
original character have come from either
Russia or France.
References have been made to the sub
ject of tarnsfer of flag in diplomatic COR
respondence over the steamships Dacia
and Brindilla, but those cases involve
transactions between private individ-
uals whereas under the pending bill the
United States government would be A
party to purchases. The state depart
ment holds that what might have been
said in the Dacia or Brndila cases,
therefore, does not apply to government
purchases.
Negotiations Not Proper
At the British embassy the suggestion
was volunteered that since the bill had
not yet passed. negotiations would not
be proper, and that even if the measure
were enacted. there was no reason to sup
pose the United States would commit
any unneutral act. 1t was stated authori-
totively, however, that the British am
bassador had told Secretary Bryan, what,
under certain circumstances, would be
the view of the British government; point
ing out incidentally that while England
had recognized some transfers OF flag
during war, there was no doubt in his
mnnd of the opposition of Russia and
France.
What the hypothetical circumstances
are to which the ambassador referred,
have not been disclosed, but they are
presumed to relate to any wholesale re-
lease of German and Austrian ships now
locked in American ports. Such a step.
high officials declared, was not in con-
temptation. They have not yet even de-
cided if it will be necessary to purchase
any belligerent vessels at all.
Although the amba ssador discussed the
subject orally with Secretary Bryan re-
Gently, a distinction was drawn at the
embassy today between his personal views
and any Official expression by his govern
ment
Right Upheld
The right of the United States to pur-
chase vessels hitherto under a belligerent
flag is vigorously upheld by state de-
rartment officials who have made an
exhaustive study of presidents. They
point out that even if the declaration of
London can properly be construed as
prohibiting transfers of flag during war
which the department does not admit
the United States is not bound by 1t
Article 60 of the declaration says: The
provisions of the present declaration mus
| be treated as a whole and cannot be
| separated" and the British order in coun
cit accepted some of the provisions ant
modified others
| To oppose the claim that France neve,
| has recognized changes in registry, of
! ficials point to the rules issued by the
| French minister of marine, during the
Franco-Prussan war, instructing com
manders to inquire into whether or no
| each transfer of flag was bona fide. Be
| fore the declaration of London was draft
! ed. England, too. 1t is claimed, held trans
| fers legal where there was no questio,
as to their bona. fide character.
| High officials here contend that thu
very fact of purchase by the United
States government would establish tn,
bona fide character of sale. They sa,
It could not be supposed a government
| would enter any secret arrangement TO
eventual transfer of a vessel to the origi
nal owner. Officials claim also that ever
under the declaration of London, wher
| transfers are prohibited Ito evade TIL
consequences of war;" the American gov
| eminent could prove it's purpose wa
!, obviously not to assist belligerent, Blu
to provide transportation for its owl
products. Confident of the position, Amer
| lean officials are preparing to take thu
subject up in formal negotiations afte
| the bill passes.