Evening star., 1916-10-16
NEUTRALS TAKE UP
U-BOAT PROBLEMS
Questions Raised in Norway,
Holland and Spain Consid-
cred in Germany.
NO U. S. ISSUES TO SETTLE

BERLIN, October Is, via London Oc-
tober 16, 1870 p.m.-Norway. Holland
and Spain are now playing the leading
marine problem, to the subordination of
the United States, which so long
and so often has held the center of the
stage. The Associated Press correspond
ent discussed the present situation
today with DR.. Alfred Zimmerman, un :
der-secretary for foreign affairs. who
Indicated that the tables had been
cleared and that no negotiations were
in progress as far as the United States
WAS concerned. He outlined develop
ments regarding other neutrals.
The case of Holland is simplest. 1t
concerns only the Bloomersdiih. which
vas sunk off the New England coast
by the German submarine U-55. Ger
many is unwilling to accept the cabled
version of the circumstances under
which the Bloomersdijk WAS sunk and
is convinced the submarine commander
must have kept within the German
prize regulations, AS strictly enjoined.
Full compensation has been offered i'll
event the commander exceeded his in
Structions.
Grievances of Spain.
Spains grievances have to do with
the sinking of fruit steamers. Strictly
speaking, these are valid prizes. be-
cause the cargo is contraband, bound
for hostile ports. The Spanish govern
ment, however, has pointed out that
the prosperity of the country, and par
ticularly of the great class of small
fruit raisers, has been affected. seriously
By Interruptions of this trade. and Ger
many has offered to let such ships pass
unmolested if they are provided with
proper certificates from German con-
suls and if the entente allies permit
similar cargoes-ship for ship-to pass
for the German market. No reply has
been received.
Situation in Norway.
The Norwegian measures barring
submarines from Norwegian waters in
accordance with the British memoran-
dunn are re- egarded as incompatible with
Norwegian neutrality. No exhaustive
report on the legal aspects of the ques-
ton has as yet reached DIR. thinner
mann's hands, but the undersecretary
said the matter undoubtedly would De
the subject of a strong protest to Nor
way
He took the position that Norway
was unjuStified under international
law in differentiating among classes
of warships and making rules applying
to one specific class.
Speaks Highly Of q. s.
DIR. Zin1mermann spoke with high
satisfaction of the terms of Americas
reply to the memorandum of the en-
tente allies on the treatment of sub
marines. He declared it was marked
by true spirit of neutrality.
The appearance and activity Of a
German submarine off the American
coast had not been made the subject
of diplomatic negotiations or complica-
tions. he continued. and all reports IN
dicated that the German commander
had observed in every way the letter
and spirit of Gernanys undertake
ings with the United States. He said
no communications on that subject had
been received. either through the Ger
man embassy at Washington or
through the American embassy here.
Precautions by the St. Paul.
NEW YORK, October 16.-When the
American line steamship st. Paul.
which arrived here yesterday from
England. approached the American
coast Saturday night she was bril-
liantly illuminated, SO that no German
submarine might mistake her for a
vessel of the entente allies. Passen-
gers said that Immediately after sun
set every light on board was glowing.
and Can't. A. X. Mills, one 0 fthe vet
erau transatlantic commanders, or
dered also that cluster of lamps be
swung out to port and to Starboard SO
passing craft might distinguish the
American flag painted on either side.
n 1ar ytTaf fpr "a C oh fer