New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-05
,nlcain. Here with Rapid
fire Gun, To Be Made
Test Case.
a1I son HAS EVADED
GIVING DECISION
.,,ce Expected to Refuse AS
.r,auce Obtained for Italian
Vessels.

iran p. Tribune Burese
~,.bi,rton. April 4. The arrival at
,york Of the French steamer Nui-
nth a mounted rapid FIRE gun
- NAV force President Wilson 20
-, the conditions under which
- merchantmen may use American
-, Until now the state Depart
~, has s,udiously avoided the ques-
ris believed hero. however. that the
,n.,. intend 20 make q test of the
Lain case and that they will insist
definite ruling from the State De
.,,nen,. In the cases of several
',-sd Italian ships that recently
,.s,ed from American ports the state
r,,srtmcnt cxactcd assurances from
"A, ral.sn government that they would
%. sre on submarines until they had
49,. fred on. This arrangement was
...,,ded TO avoid passing on the 2rin-
ale involved. II is not thought likely
~, France would give similar assur-
,,,,s in the case Of the Vulcan.
The yulesin is the first armed French
~, that has entered an American
~, since the beginning Of the war.
Va armed British ships have arrived
ear, September, 1914, because OF an
Normal agreement with the British
government Il has been expected for
,,-s time al the State Department,
.,vsyer. that Great Britain was get
INC ready 10 terminate that agree
ct and that French and British mer-
,ssntnen using American ports hence
sor.h would be armed.
MAY Permit Vulcain to Clear.
s,,,s President Wilson's victory
.-s- Congress on the right Of Ameri-
ans 10 use armed ships II has been
-ossrstood that the State Department
sould welcome an opportunity TO make
y no.ition clear. Ii IS expected
,,s-efore. that # the Nulcain insists
N clearing without such assurances
~ vere gwen By Italy the State De
-srtment will permit IL.
Under such a ruling armed Merchant
zen clearing frcm American. pOr1s
gould be obliged 10 prove only that
,ss armament was not INTENDED lor
ors-siye use. The position IN whlSn
.ss ems were mounted, their size, the
.,r,1an6er's orders with respect 10
,,sir Use and the general enHrselei
I'D errand OF the ship would be iSc-
,.r. hat would determine THIS ques-
r.. State Department holds that .
-,,ssl plying a regular trade route
.,rrrine passengers or cargo, IS pre-,
.-.'sbiv q bona fde merchantmen, ana
- armament may be supposed 70 De
s,s.-siva Unless, therefore, II Ap-
-ssrs hat the guns are larger IMAM
s'S~i5 h. necessary for defence, or are
,a-r,sd on the fore part OF the SHIP
.so vessel would be gwen ciearSiIe {.
The secret orders submitted ~!
germany 20 show that britlsh mei
rhsrt CAPTAINS are instructed 10 AZ
.sek submarines extensively have prac-
t'csilv been thrown out OF court. NO
vbere In the orders docs It appear
RAT British merchantmen are IN
,,ruc,ed 10 attack submarines, eHeeP.
In sslf.defence. when u is obvious tha'
N, submarine has hostile intentions
Britain Asked About Orders
4. matter Of course, the secret
orders" Rave been submitted 10 the
B,,ti.h Embassy for verincation' an
~ ambassador has been asked 70
ate whether any orders have oeeh -
,ved that are offensive in character'
IN the absence Of conclusive evldehee :
o. he recent attacks on ships carry 10
snsricans. President Wilson ana lne
Cabinet to-day again postponed
,.sion on the course 10 be pursued OS
csbinet members agreed that some
,,eps should be taken 20 stop, the ca.
ssrgering Of Americans, but me step'
an not be determined until soql'
.!oral information in the cases OF IN,
sussex. Enrhshman and Manches'ei
Engineer is received. .c.r
Great Britain replies 20 Ahei'V"dd
protests against mail seizures CO..
retention o. passengers on the se]nsi
Chins we're also laid before ne oSD'
net. Neither reply Is sstisfaetoLy
Further steps in the China case Will ''
ut.n soon.