New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-13
U.S.. WARSHP
FIRES, HALTS
FLEEINGLINER
New Neutrality Patrol
Catches BritiSher
in HarbOr

The first vessel to be turned back
by a newly established naval neutral
ity patrol was the British steamship
City of Madras, which was overhauled
off Ambrose Lightship at s o'clock last
night by the United States destroyer
Sterett. The steamer was conveyed
back to a point off Clifton. Staten ISL
and, where Captain William Grey was
ordered by the naval officers to remain
at anchor until this morning. The
charge for which the boat Is being held
is failure to obey an order Of a United
States warship on patrol duty.
1t was said at Quarantine late last
night that the City of Madras would
be permitted to sail this morning, as
her clearance papers are correct.
The City of Madras. of 3,04S tons
burden, cleared Monday for Singapore,
Manila and Hong Kong, but anchored
above Quarantine, presumably for the
reason that a submarine attack was
feared IL she ventured out. As she
passed Quarantine at o'clock last
night Captain Grey was hailed by the
government patrol tug Pahadon and
ordered to stop.
Instead Of complying, the City OF
Madras, full steam ahead. made for the
lower bay. The Pahadon followed as
far as Norton's Point in an effort to
overtake her, but was outdistanced. The
tug put back and the Sterett also sig
nailed the vessel to stop, firing a blank
shot when she failed TO comply. The
destroyer then raced down Ambrose
Channel at a speed Of twenty-five knots,
cvertaking the steamer as she was
abreast of the lightship.
No Explanation of Action
Heretofore when vessels have been
brought back for a minor violation OF
the international code they have been
permitted to leave again almost I'M
mediately. Officers of the navy yard
disclaimed knowledge of the reason for
the Sterett's action and would venture
no opinion as to why the vessel is De-
ing detaired.,.-..rs.o..,.-s~,-... ..s,,....
First definite information that the
neutrality patrol already had been es-
tablished was brought earlier in the
day by Captain Mcdonald, Of the Mum
amar. OF the Munson Line. which ar
rived from Central American ports. A
destroyer appeared out Of the fog at o
o'clock off the Atlantic coast and encir-
cled the Munamar several times, evi-
IDENTIFY trying to establish her identity
When the Stars and Stripes wer run up
the destroyer departed.
Three Destroyers Leave Newport
Three destroyers left Newport Har-
bor late in the afternoon at full speed,
and others were getting up steam aho
making other preparations ior leaVihg
on patrol duty. From unofflcial sources
il was learned that the three whicn
left-the Jarvis, Drayton and fanhing
are bound for the coast OF Maine, III
the vicinity OF par HArDoi' NS"i
miral Austin NJ. Knight, commandant
of the Narragansett Bay naval station,
would not disclose the nature OF their
errand, nor even admit that patrol
had been established, but expressed tne
view that one would be in effect with
in a short time"
Patrol Plans Extensive
Thu nlans of the Navy Department
for maintaining the patrol are exten-
sive, taking in the entire. destroyer
force. active and reserve, light cruisers
navy tugs and other auxiliary craft
The object of the patrol, 1t is under
stood, will be not only to protect Amer
ican territorial waters, but also 10
prevent the establishment Of secret
bases ashore and the communication
between shore radio stations and iei-
ligerent craft at sea. xu.
Various obstacles are said 10 nave
been encountered TO the original plan
of also mobilizing the force OF prl-
vately owned motorboats. which nave
been enrolled with their crews as
mart of the naval reserve.