The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-10-09
'titish Embassy Will Call On
United States to Define
Rights Of German U-Boats
PLURALITY VIOLATED
Is CLAIM OF ALLIES
|hvy Department Holds U-53
Was Within Rights In En-
terina Newport-Entitled to
Warships' Privileges

w AShAAk& g&SAAs Nss$&s '&s
kiaasion of submarine warfare TO
khe American coast has opened
up a new diplomatic dispute with
Great Britain. 1t was stated at
khe British embassy tonight that
|thc United States will he called
upon to decide Immediately
whether any more U-boats shall
he permitted to enter American
ports.
The allies contend that tho en-
trance of such boats into Amer1-
lar .,arlsors Is "A violation of neu-
frality.
tEhe question was first raised in the
~ OF the Deutschland. but as the
|latscinaod was decided 10 be n
kinmereial submarine. Secretary Lam
He declined 10 pass upon the issue
\ that time. When pressed by Sir
'Eil Spring Rice, the British ambas-
lor, Mr. Lansing replied that he
Huld not decide the matter until a
|hcrete case. involving the entrance
a war submarine into American
|iters, had arisen.
I'LL lie CoUtE&IS Ease has now al artA
| Ii il is understood the visit of the
Esish am AMBASSADOR 10 the State De-
ksment last night was for the .,ur
ke OF asking that the attitude of
IL United States be defined without
fther delay,
Since the case of the Deutschland
bse Spain. Sweden and Norway
he all been called on by the allies
ldecide the same issue. and, accord
to the British embassy, have ac-
bted the view taken by the allies.
ey have. 1t is stated. adopted regu-
ons virtually excluding war sub
rines from their ports.
Sharp Conflict of Opinion,
the United States Navy Department
Ids, however, that the U-5s was
Jolly within her rights In entering
IMPORT and that submarines are en-
cd to all the privileges OF any other
rship. This view is held also by
lawyers OF the State Department.
II the department maintains this
atude there Will be the sharpest
eible conflict of opinion between
M American and British govern
hts.
I the allies take the same attitude
MUS @iAC l. iAtlCd AAbhN AiGs
re taken towards Spain In strik-
iy same case the United States viii
called upon to pay indemnity for
ships sunk by submarines which
re received American hospitality.
che contention of the allies, as out
I'D tonight by a diplomatic rep
entative of one OF the warning
ntries. is:
Th<. Allies Contention.
The submarine Is new factor
war not covered by international
and must be subject to special
ulations.
The submarine Is clearly differ
Hated from other war vessels by
fact that when she is under water
lis impossible to observe whether
mot she is violating neutrality.
The allies contend that when the
boats enter harbor they obtain in
lnation which ena bles them to sink
my ships.
Do far as the sinking of ships off
American coast is concerned.
Ire is no disposition at either State
Navy Department to dispute the
ht OF the Germans to make war
sea where they please SO long as
h are outside the three-mile limit.
IS commended that they have the
a right to sink British ships off
New England coast that the Eng
have to overhaul American ships
Long Island.
Germans Observing Pledge.
LII the official reports received here
bcate that the Germans are ad-
hing strictly to the pledge given by
bassador Won Bernstorff in note
1.-THE Lusitania case on September
t9l5. In that memorandum Ger
bay promised TO sink no liners with
warning and without providing
the safety of the passengers. pro-
fng the liners did not try to es-
lie or offer resistance.
This pledge was reiterated by the
bassador last night in conversation
IA newspaper correspondents.
che note that was mailed by Com
hder Rose of the U-53 at Newport
received at the embassy today.
ambassador declined to make
bic its contents. 1t was declared
tially. however that the letter did
deal in any way with the subject
peace.
IL surmised that the letter DEAL,
\ the purposes of the U-boat cam.
- and that it contained instruc-
d to the ambassador regarding
destinations that are to be made
Tho American xovAxr--Ant IN this
nectiou- !.