Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-07-13
Whether the Deutschland
Warship or Merchant
Must BE Determined by
United States Authorities
PROTESTS EXPECTED ANY|
If 1t Is Held That Big Subj
sible Is War Vessel GERM
Will Likely Object-If
cisiOn Is Otherwise the AL
Will Probably Lodge Prot

Washington, July o-The first conce}
the United States in the arrival Of
German super-submarine. Deutschlar|
to determine whether the submersit|
properly a merchant vessel or Wild
under any Interpretation of the prino|
Of International law she could be cid
as warship.
Nothing but an examination OF the
marine itself. with survey Of her al
ment if any, and the composition
character of her crew can settle the p|
This will he made by the state ded
ment and the customs authorities as
as the ship puts into Baltimore.
Whichever way the issue is decided
questions of international law are all
surely to be added to the many which
war has produced for the United ST
As warship the Deutschland woul
required to leave an American port v
in % hours of her arrival. unless d
tional time was required to make her
worthy.
Pun a. 'OIiltItTtldI SnlD
would be as free to enter and ID
American ports as any other and
would have no concern in the nj
manner of her coming or the fact
the ingenuity and daring of the
man admiralty had been able to
ship through the allied blockade
If she should venture to return
Germany the submarine would e.
protection of the United States wi
the three mile limit.
Based on such information as
come to hand tonight state den
ment officials were disposed to ac
the statement of the German can
that his is a merchant ship. The q
ton can be determined along we'll
fined lines. If the submarine file
merchant flag; if she is manned |
civilian crew; if she carries no of
sive armament and is plainly eng;
in commerce, 1t is not regarded
necessary that any question shall
put to the diplomatic branch of
government by the customs auth
ties.
The state department has we'll es
lished its position on the question
offensive and defensive armament
merchant ships.
1t is supposed that the Deutsch
does carry some guns. but if they
Of type usually mounted on submar
they are Of the disappearing kind
comparatively light calibre, and T
ably will not fall under the ban. III
ii is developed that the guns car
trained ahead, instead of only aft.
The presence Of torpedo tubes If I
are any such in place, might prese
new problem, but the officials are
posed to regard them as not suffiC
in themselves 70 stamp the vessel
n Warship unless there is carried
ply Of torpedoes.
one point of much interest to off
here is the ownership of the Deut
land. That may have II great deal I
with the determination Of her st;
The mere flying Of the German
chant flag throws no light upon
point 1t is conceivable that if It sh
appear that the ship is owned
operated by the German governn
that fact might cause officials to re
her as not partaking of the char;
of a workmanship but rather that
naval auxiliary.
Summarizing the situation from an
cial point Of view it will he in order
from the customs collector al Baltir
TO pass upon the character of the peu'
land when she is boarded by America
1cials, probably tomorrow. If he sh
hold that she is a warship prote
expected from German officials. II
collector should decide that the Deu'
land is a merchant ship pure and
Pile, protest may he expected from
British and French embassies ag;
her clearance.
In either case the collector. thr,
the treasury department doubtless "
refer the question q the state departl
and then the unique case probably "
he referred to the neutrality board.