The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-21
SECOND PROTEST ONDEUTSCHLAND Allies May Take Stronger Stand to Bring About
 Complications

Washington, July 2o.-Although no for
 nal objection to the clearance of the German submarine merchantmen
 Deutschland from Baltimore has been in-
 terposed in advance by the embassies of
 the allied nations, there were indications tonight that after the American govern
 rnent had placed itself on record by granting clearance papers the informal l representations made by the British and French ambassadors soon after the l Deutschland's arrival might be supple | nented by a more definite protest | Thus far the course of the state depart ] ment in regard to the submarine has been largely negative. Decision that she was I merchantmen did not, in the nature of the case, call for any positive steps such as would have followed had it been held that she was war vessel. The allied embassies are understood to take the view, however, that issuance of clearance would furnish basis upon which to hinge a protest that the American gov- ernment had performed an act incompat- ible with the principles of international law.
 The informal representations already presented go no further than to sug- gest that the Deutschland, as an under water craft, is a potential warship. Should formal protest follow, it doubtless will take the more advanced ground that ths vessel also lacks many characteristics es- sential to a merchantmen as conceived in international law and may even be framed with view to holding the United States liable for indemnity for any dam age she might cause to allied merchant or war vessels after her departure from American waters.
 A merchant ship, it Is held by allied diplomatists here, Is presumed in inter- national law to be so constructed and navigated that she plainly discloses her character, Is capable of being stopped by warning shots across her bow and can be boarded for examination of her papers, These strictures on the merchant status or the Deutschland, coupled with the declaration that submarine operation in itself constitutes an evidence of extra legal character such as warships as- sume, are understood in fact to be crys- tallizing at the British and French en- bassies into a definite outline of a joint note of protest for presentation to the state department.
 To supplement such a protest the em- bassies are understood to be prepared to argue that final decision upholding the merchant status of the Deutschland and similar craft might rebound to the injury or the United States if it became involved in war. holding up the possi- bility that in these circumstances great fleets of underwater boats. ostensibly merchantmen, but in reality capable of doing material damage to United States commerce and ports, would be fitted out in Mexico and South America.
 Reports that another German subma- rine has been sighted near the Bahamas have served to heighten interest in the subject among the allied diplomats, and it was believed tonight that the first formal step in the long negotiations that now are expected to- result from the Deutschland's exploit would be taken soon after she had passed out of the capes on her return voyage.