Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-27

Washington, April Pa statment
.,esnine the attitude Of the United
states towards armed merchant ships
uas made public today by the State
nenartment by direction OF President
u-,,son. It originally was prepared as
circular note to other powers, but it
,ster was decided to issue it as a
statement.
The statement holds to the right Of
merchant ship to arm for protec-
tion only, but declares that "mer-
chartment which have used their ar
mament for aggressive purposes are
not entitled to the same hospitality in
neutral ports as peaceful armed mer-
chantmen."
The status of an armed merchant
vessel Of a be1ligerent" says the state
ment. lis to be considered from the
point Of view of a neutral, when the
vessel enters its ports. and from that
Of an enemy when the vessel is on
the high seas
The statement treats at length OF the
differences in status and sums them as
follows:
Difference in Status
The status of an armed merchant
vessel as warship in neutral waters
may be determined, in the absence
If documentary proof or conclusive
evidence of previous aggressive con-
duct by presumption derived from all
the circumstances of the case.
THE status of such vessel as war
ship on the high seas must be deter
mined only upon conclusive evidence
Of aggressive purpose, in the absence
Of which it is to be presumed that
the vessel has a private and peace
able character, and 1t should be so
treated by an enemy ship.
In brief, a neutral government may
proceed upon presumption that an
armed merchant vessel Of belligerent
nationality is armed for aggression
while belligerent should proceed on
the presumption that the vessel is
armed for protection"
Rights and Duties Oenned
Then the statement goes on at
length to take up the rights and duties
Of neutrals and belligerents as af-
fected by the status Of armed mer-
chant vessels in neutral ports and on
the high seas. 1t lays down the rule
that while merchantmen armed only
for protection against the enemy are
entitled to enter and leave neutra1
ports without hindrance in the course
Of legimitate trade. they are not so
entitled under certain circumstances
which are detailed as follows:
Armed merchantmen of belligerent
nationality under a commission or or
Gers Of their government to use under
penalty, their armament for aggressive
purposes or merchantmen. which with
OUT such commission or orders, have
Used their ornaments for aggressive
purposes. are not entitled to the same
hospitality in neutral ports as peace
aoel armed merchantmen
Statement Answers Germany
Inc German note or the question OF
armed merchantmen. to which the
statement is regarded as an answer,
charged that British merchant ships
we're armed to attack submarines and
mat thelr commanders were under Sc
Wei ORDERS from the admiralty to do
- ana that rewards had been offered
10 commanders who succeeded in de-
S'Foying submersiblns
Ina
distlnct difference between the exer-
use OF the right Of self-protction and
VI act OF cruising the seas in an armed
'essei Tor the purpose Of attacking
enemy naval vessels"
Ihe following declaration applies to
merchant ships under orders to attack
submarines:
., When Attacking Submarines
IN the event that merchant ships
" oelligerent nationality are armed
.''a under commission or orders to at
a'A in all circumstances. certain
asses Of enemy naval vessels for the
supose Of destroying them, and are
s s"''led to receive prize money for
..ch service from their government or
a.e MABEL to a penalty for failure to
sOey the orders given: such merchant
,a'ps lose their status as peaceble
eicnant ships and are to a limited ex-
~ va. Incorporated in the naval forces
~. a'elf government. even though it is
IVY their sole occupation to conduct
sure operations. Any per.
r sa taxing passage on such vessel can
otL
S wv persons who are on board i
'arship."
,, ne statement holds that a belliger-
,'a,. merchant ship may exercise it's
~ sat OF lf-protection. either by flight
NJ. resistance. but that if after a sum-
n.u as to surrender has been given a
Iacnantmen uses is armament to
NY the enemy at distance or if after
~. ass Teen summoned to surrender i:
E3t6. or ices, the warshin ..rnav