New-York tribune., 1916-07-12
Press Protest Against the
Deutschland at
Washington.
SEE SHREWD MOVE
ON GERMANS PART
Think Loophole Is Sought to
Reopen Undersea War
on Commerce.
From rhe Tribune bureau !

Washington, July ll.-Both the Brit
ish and French embassies renewed
their representations to-day in regard
70 allowing the clearance Of the Ger
man submarine Deutschland on her re-
turn trip. They set up the claim that
the Deutschland, though designed and
used as a merchantmen, is potentially
warship.
The establishment of this doctrine,
1t was generally recognized by officials
to-day, is of the greatest Importance TO
the Allies campaign at sea. British
and French warships have orders to
fire on any submarine on sight, and
;heir governments have maintained
that such an act was purely defensive
Should the Germans succeed in having
the submarine recognized as a mer-
chantman. under international law it
would be entitled to the benefit Of the
rules OF visit and search. II would not
surprise officials here were this, even
more than the running of the British
blockade. the real object of the trip.
With the submarines status thus al
tered, il Is pointed out, Germany could
reopen the undersea war on British
commerce, for which there is now the
greatest agitation in Berlin, with much
more safety than under present cir
cumstances. If the British sunk the
U-boats without visit and search they
would be put in the same position of
violating international law that the
Germans have.
Another point which complcates
matters is the conversion of merchant
men into warships at sea. Germany,
contrary TO the doctrines held by the
French and British, has always main
tanned the right thus to change her
ships into privateers or cruisers after
clearing from neutral ports. Particular
emphasis has been laid upon this con-
tention at the State Department. So
far no indication has been given OF
the American attitude.
Ne complications on account Of the
return trip of the Uboat are antici-
pated by administration officials. AS
the British blockade has never been
recognized by the United States, the
Deutschland can clear for Bremen or
any other German port with whatever
cargo she chooses. Even should the
withdrawal of the British Orders in
Council be followed by the proclama-
tion of a formal blockade the course
of the United States would not be
altered The Germans, so long as the
vessels were not armed, would be free
to fit ort as many blockade runners as
they wished.
Thus, for more reasons than one the
Allies will fight bitterly any change
in the status of the Uboat. Germany.
with a heavy point scored, has rested
her case. II is now their turn.
Before the arrival of the Deutsch-
land, acting upon the basis of re-
ports in the press that a submarine
was due at an American port, Colville
Barclay, the British counsellor and
charge d'affaires in the temporary alb
sence Of Sir Cecil Spring Rice, COM
municated to Secretary Lansing the
position of his government regarding
the use of any under water craft IN
commercial service. Again yesterday
Mr.. Barclay, in addition to notifying
the department of the arrival of the
Deutschland to lay the foundation for
subsequent claims for any damages
that later might be inflicted on British
commerce, took occasion to direct Act