Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-09
SERIOUS CONTROVERSY
WITH ENGLAND MAY ARISE
Asks View on Sending Of British
Subjects From United States to
Volunteer in Army.
PRACTICE SINCE WAR BEGAN
II This Government Takes Position
That Neutrality Laws Are Vio-
lated. Emphatic Protest, 1t Is Said,
VIII Be Registered by London.

WASHINGTON. July S-Sir Cecil
Spring Rice. the British ambassador,
formally applied to the State Depart
ment to-day for definition OF the
American governments view as to
whether Eng llsh patriotic societies or
other unofficial agencies Violate ncu-
trality laws In sending British subjects
from the United States to volunteer in
the British army
conferences between the Departments
OF state and Justice will he held before
an answer is given. a serious diplo-
matte controversy may develop. The
practice or returning volunteers to Eng
Iand has prevailed since the beginning
OF the European war began, and 1t is
said tho British government is prepared
TO register an emphatic protest If the
United States takes the position that
1t is illegal.
The return Of indictments at San
Francisco against i've persons charged
with enlisting recruits for the British
army is understood to have precipitated
the ambassadors action.
According to the British contention,
1t is unjustly discriminatory to inter
fere with the transportation of volun-
teers who are not actually enlisted on
American soil when no objection has
heen made TO notifications by consuls
to IS"'<ists of other countries in the
E~ .ates. In this connection en-
p..asis is laid on the fact that Great
Britain has no reservists in the same
sense az have other Continental powers.
HAVE NO USDE-> STANDING
IN REGARD TO RECRUITING
Department of Justice officials e1-
plained to-day that they have had no
understanding with the State Depart
ment in regard to recruiting. They
pointed out, however, that the criminal
code plainly prohibits the enlistment OF
any person" in the United States to
night against the people Of friendly
nation. The efforts of the department,
~ was declared, have not been directed
against volunteers returning TO their
own country to fight. but against or
Sanized efforts to induce such return.
a luil In the neutrality campaign Of
the Department of Justice Is expected
10 follow to-day's developments-the
return OF indictments In San Francisco
In connection with enlistmcnts for the
British army. and the delivering Of
supplies 20 German warships, and the
Indictment In Chicago against the Mon
tenegrin officials. Department agents
are said to be watching developments
In New York that may lead TO further
arrests In connection with British en-
l!stments. but the case against tho
MonteneEr!ns is believed to be com
plete.
Although little information concern
ing tho San Francisco prosecutions had
reached Washington tonight. II was
OF supplying the German ships is one
OF the most interesting developed by
government agents in many months
The indictments were asked for be-
cause of the alleged violation OF the
ncutralit: laws by the steamship Sacra-
rnento. formerly of the Hamburg
American Line. Late last fall. the
Sacramento cleared from San Fran
cisco for Valparaiso. and. according to
the departments evidence, while at
sea turned most Of her cargo of sup
plies to the German squadron of war
ships. which subsequently, was de-
sroyee off the Falkland Islands by a
British feet.
Reports TO Washington say that
when the Sacramento sailed from San
Francisco she had aboard as stow
away" an officer OF the German navy or
naVa! reserve, and that when she
steamed few miles outside the Golden
Gate this man appeared on deck vir-
tually took charge of the vessel and
got into communication by wireless
with the German feet. Arriving at
Valparaiso. the Sacramento laid I'D for
the war.