Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-03
REAL ISSUE NOW
IS DISPOSITION
OF BRITISH SHIP
State Department Inclined
to Belief That 1t Belongs
to It's German Captors.
THE HAGUE CONVENTION
DOES NOT GOVERN CASE
Terms of Ancient Prussian-
American Treaty Likely
to Be Observed.
HELD HERE PENDING DECISION
IL Vessel Is Awarded to Germany Tt
Probably Will he SeQuestered
in American Waters.
HELD HERE PENDING DECISION
IL Vessel Is Awarded to Germany 1t
Probably Will BE SeQuestered
in American Waters.

WASHINGTON, February 2.--Indica-
tious that the British passenger liner
Appam, brought into Hampton Roads
by Il German prize crew. will be held
By the United States to be u German
prize OF war. And not an auxiliary
cruiser We're given tonight in high
official quarters
The neutrality board, which advises
the State Department on such aues-
tions. decided to day that the ship was
n prize An announcement TO that
effect was made, but was recalled. pre-
sumably because the State Department
has not acted
WILL HOLD THAT PRIZE
BELONGS TO GERMANS
The real point to be decided is
whether the Appam shall remain in
possession of the prize crew under the
terms Of the Prussian- American treaty
or shall he returned to her British
owners under The Hague convention.
Indications were given that the State
Department will hold that the prize
belongs to Germany.
Count Won Bernstorf. the German
nmba ssador in n formal note to Sccre-
itiS isHHSlUB, EaNC notice tnat the
Appam came into Hampton Roads undor
tho treaty which guarantees her to her
captors. Sir Cecil Spring Rice, the
British ambassador. asked that the
ship be returned to her British owners
as Il prize recovered under The Hague
convention.
The Hague convention, under article
y. provides for the intcrnment of the
Il
but tho state Department officials are
doubtful that 1t can be applied to tho
case of the Appam. first. because tho
Prussian- American treaty is believed to
be binding, and. second. because Great
Britain signed, but never ratified. this
particular Hague convention.
Until the status OF the ship is decided
it will remain in custody OF the Nor
folk customs authorities, and If turned
over 10 Germany, may be kept in port
or sent to sea, as the German govern.
mcnt chooses.
CLAIMED ny NEITHER
TO BE NAVAL AUXILIARY
IL was regarded as significant that
neither the British nor tho German au-
thorities contendcd that the Appam WAS
naval auxiliary. Thus the United
States is relieved OF deciding a cues.
tion which officials feared would be-
como ono OF the most troublesome COM
pieNities OF the war. AS both govern
ments concede she is n prize. nothing
remains to bo decided except her dis
poSitio
Tho State Department to-day re.
uuestcd the customs authorities to land
all passengers and noncombatants.
Their case now goes to the immigra-
ton authorities. Foreign consuls will
care for their own nationals who are
INDECENT. Those who can afford to do
so are free TO go on to Europe Those
who wish TO remain in the United States
must comply with the usual immisra-
ton regulations. Any Germans who
elect to return TO Germany and can.
not find ways to do so probably will
have TO be cared for by tho Govern-
ment At some Immigrant station.
BASED on INFORMATION
FROM LEUTENA nERG
Count Won Bernstorff's communication
10 Secretary Lansing was based upon
in a telegram from Lieu
tenant Berg, commander OF the ApDam
II was also stated in the telegram that
the Appam had resisted before being
captured, and that she had aboard a
military transport" OF enemy subjects
II was believed here that Lieutenant
BerE referred to gun pointers removed
from British ships destroyed by tho
captor of the Appam
1t was indicated at the German en-
hassy that the question OF whether the
United States should be asked to in
tern the military transport until tho
end OF the war was being considered
1t was also said that Count Won Bern
storn had advised the government OF
the circumstances surrounding the ar
rival of the Appam. and was waiting
for complete instructions before pro-
ccedins further.
Formal announcement OF the State
Departments decision may be withheld
until II Is finally determined what dis.
position is to be made OF the vessel
The present intention of the State
Department. as announced semiofYiciaIly
Tonight, is to disregard The Hague
treaties altogether in disposing OF tina
case and to apply the existing Prus-
sian treaty. This Will recognize tho
German ownership OF the App&m, and