New-York tribune., 1915-10-29
Insist on Clearances.

Insist on Clearances.
an spite thereof, various American
port authoritiea have denied clearance
from American ports TO vessels OF the
merchant marine which would carry
needed supplies or fuel to German war
shins either on tie high seas or in
other neutral ports. According to the
principles of international law above
cited. a neutral state need not prevent
furnishing supplies OF this character'
neither can II, after allowing the au-
yersaries TO be furnished with contra
band, either detain or IN any way as
sbla merchant ship carrying such
cargo. Only when contraband trade
would turn the ports into bases OF Ger
man military operations would the
unilateral stoppage OF the trade OF
those vessels become duty.
"Such. perhaps. would be the case II
the Germans kept coal depots in the
ports or if the vessels called at the
norts in regular voyages on the way u
German naval forces. But II stands 10
reason that one merchant vessel occa-
sionallv sailing with coal or supplies
for German warships does not turn
neutral port into German point OF
support contrary to neutrality.
"Our enemies draw from the United
States contraband of war, especially
arms. worth several billions Of marks.
This in itself they are authorized 70
do But II the United States would
prevent our warships occasionally
drawing supplies from its ports
great Injustice grows out OF the su-
thorization. for Il would amount TO an
unneutral treatment of the belligerents
and constitute a breach of the generll-
ly accetped rules Of neutrality, to Ger
many's detriment."
All Treated Alike.
The Secretary of State in his rep.y
held:
"The essential idea Of neutral terri
tory becoming the base for naval opera
tions by belligerent is, in the opinion
of this government, repeated departure
from such territory Of merchant yes-
sells laden with fuel or other supplies
for belligerent warships at sea. In or
der 10 ascertain the vessels which are
thus operating, the government mas
been obliged 10 investigate certain
cases in order that il might determine
whether there have been, or are about
TO be. repetition of such acts, but IN al
respects equality Of treatment has been
observed toward all merchant vessels
suspected OF carrying supplies to bel
ligerent vessels"
on another occasion the German Am
bassador, in complaining 70 the state
Department that the tug F. B. DalZeH
put 20 sea from New York 70 carry pro-
visions 10 the British cruiser Essex, de-
clared that the tug -ame out under
the searchlights of the United States
steamship Florida"
Mr. Lansing answered this with the
statement that the government OF the
United States had investigated the
matter thoroughly and was not able 10
find sufficient evidence 20 show that the
tug did supply British warships. Tie
asked for further evidence on which 20
renew the investigation, but this, II ap-
pears, was not supplied.
A series OF communications passed
between the British Embassy and the
state Department on defensive arma-
rrent Of merchantmen and the right OF
belligerent merchant ships 20 leave
neutral ports, prepared TO arm az sea.
The British Embassy stated that. with
reference 10 the fitting out on Amerl-
can territory of vessels intended for
warlike purposes, Great Britain would
"hold the United States government re-
sponsible for any damages 10 British
trade or shipping or injury 10 British
interests generally which may be
caused by such vessels having been
equipped at or departing from United
States ports"