Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-15
U. S. RULES U-BOAT
A MERCHANT SHIP;
ALLIES TO DEMUR
Each German Trader, How
ever, Must Be Separately
Examined
TRIP DIPLOMATIC TEST

WASHINGTON, July 15-The German
supersubmersible Deutschland is strictly a
merchantmen and not war vessel, accord
ing to the ruling made today by acting
Secretary of State Polk. The decision
is based on the reports of the Baltimore
Customs Collector and naval experts who
examined the subsea craft.
The official announcement follows I'm
view of the facts of this particular case
see no reason to declare the Deutschland
ship of war (signed) Frank L. Polk, Act
ing Secretary of State"
Mr.. Polk pointed out, however. that the
Deutschland one specific case and
that no general precedent was being es.
tablished by his ruling. He intimated that
IL other German submarines Of the Deutsch.
land type arrived in American ports each
one would have to be considered separately
before being accepted by this Government
as a merchantmen.
The acting Secretary stated that he
would make no formal report to the Treas.
ury Department the case, but would
simply communicate to It his view that the
De tschland should be treated as n mer-
chant vessel Mr.. Polk said he saw no
reason now why the submarine could not
clear from Baltimore whenever Its com
mander desired.
Immediate action is expected to be taken
by the British and French Embassies in
the case. now that the State Department
has handed down 'ts decision. Sir Cecil
Sprlng-R Rice, British Ambassador has come
to the city from Woods Hole, Mass, and n
Is understood his visit was made solely to
take up the Deutschland case
At the Embassies today 1t was stated
that there was nothing to be said on the
decision. 1t was not denied, however, that
additional protests will be lodged with the
department
LEAVES NEXT WEEK
Following the favorable ruling by the
State Department activity on the wharf.
where the Deutschland is docked, indicated
that its departure would be hastened.
However she will not get away from
Baltimore this week. Every effort was
being made yesterday to have the SUBJ
merslble loaded with its cargo of nickel and
rubber by tonight The rubber was being
carried aboard in large boxes-the boxes
alone weighing rs pounds each Today 1t
was found that in order 10 get the large
cargo aboard and to lessen the weight It
would be necessary to load the rubber
loose. A large force was set to work break.
Ing the boxes from around the rubber al.
ready stored on the ship and the remainder
of tho cargo is being carried aboard loosely
WILL GIVE FOES NOTICE.
Apparently there is no intention on the
part of the owners or officers of the craft to
throw any secrecy around the vessels sched-
ule The utmost confidence is apparent in
German circles that the Deutschland will
manage to elude the British and French
warships said to be exercising a strict patrol
off the coast of the Virginia Capes.
This confidence is felt strongly by the
ships officers that its captain. Paul Koenig.
has publicly informed the British and
French Embassies that he will give them no.
tice when he weighs anchor.
British and French agents are maintain
ing n close vigil in Baltimore. and the
exact hour of departure of the vessel will be
flashed to the waiting warships at sea the
moment she leaves the dock
wARsHIPs IN WAITING.
The utmost secrecy is being maintained
in the French and British Embassies as to
the naval preparations undertaken to In
tercept the German boat 1t has been un-
officially reported that the British Navy
has detached strong force of fast cruisers
and speedy torpedoboats to patrol the prob
able course the submarine will take.
The situation is filled with many diplo-
matte possibilities that may yet embroil the
American administration with the Allied
Powers. The United States has recognized
the Deutschland as q merchant vessel and,
as such, the craft is entitled to the proteo-
tlon of international law. Under this law
such a vessel cannot be attacked or sunk
without an opportunity TO disclose her
peaceful character.
The delicacy of existing circumstances is
found In the fact that both the British ana
French Governments have declined to ac-
cept the American ruling with regard to the
Deutschland. Both the British and French
have filed with the State De-
partment the formal contentious of their
Governments that they must regard all
as essentially war craft. Under
such a contention. British and French war
ships would be ordered by their Govern
ments to sink any submarine on sight.
MAY REOPEN ISSUE.
There is a growing conviction that Ger
many is about to enter again her cam
paign OF unrestrained submarine raidng.
This impression is strengthened by official
word from Germany that Chancellor Won
Bethmann.Hollweg is rapidly being under
mined by the extremists of the Won Tirpitz
school and that his restraining influence
may soon be lost,
1t is because of his conclliatory attitude
toward this Government that the Cham
cellor now finds himself in a position which,
according 10 all reports. is rapidly becom-
Ing untenable, 1t is recognized fully by all
reports. that IL the Chancellor is overthrown
the United States will lose fair and un-
biased friend and the entire submarine ques-
tion, with all its grave complications. may
be reopened.