The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-02-02
the United States cruiser Alabama in

LU0 UulCeU STATES CTU1DOT kAAdOAAua ~
the civil war.
1. "A problem to be solved IL where
this new German auxiliary cruiser
came from and whore she got hel
armament" said the Chronicle. The
matter. Possibly It will be found that
she was equipped in a Turkish OF
Bulgarian port and escaped from the
Mediterranean, flying . neutral nag
/ All the papers discuss at length the
probable course Of the United States
and agree that Washington has been
put In an embarrassing position by
| the arrival OF the Appam. The papers
take 1t for granted that the British
| passengers will be released. They
speculate on the possibility that the
Appam will be 1nterned and inquire
what attitude Washington will take
as to her ownership.
A White elephant.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 2-United
States officials were today completely
at sea regarding what disposition shall
be made of the British liner Appam,
held at Norfolk by q German prise
crew.
The Appam had become white
elephant Of the sea" for three gov
ernments, the American, German and
British. To the American govern
ment, her fate became . serious PROD
lem involving disputes with both
England and Germany. Sea lawyers
OF the state and treasury departments
were today pouring over the confusion
OF precedents. President Wilson's
final approval wih probably be sought
| for on any decision by the state De
partment.
Whether the Appam Is German
war vessel to be interned with her
men of war, or German prize which
cannot be held In an American port,
was the vital subject being debated
Regarding the, German prize crew
OF twenty-five men. there was little
doubt Their internment was re-
garded certain.
Another knotty problem was the
status Of few British army and navy
officers on the Appam. Under inter
national law, they cannot be held prls-
oners by the German prize crew, but
as combatants their internment was
also under consideration.
That the British government would
Immediately make representations for
the release for the Appam was OK
pected. Ambassador Spring Rice
was exchanging cables with his for-
eign office today to secure 1nstruc-
tons.
Vigorous protest against any order
returning the Appam to England was
forecast at the German embassy.
Not Allowed to Leave.
a ESnh
ish liner Appam will not be allowed
to leave Norfolk. While no formal de-
cision has been yet reached to this
effect, from the highest state depart
ment authorities came the Information
TODAY that such action had been prac-
tically determined.
Detention OF the Appam by tha
American government is possible on
two grounds, it was said, first, that
she ia q German prize and shall be
held for prize court adjudication, ana,
second. that she is German naval
auxiliary vessel. subject to intern
ment.
A formal "interlocutory" order to
hold tho Appam at Norfolk. pending
fnal decision, WAS under considera'
| ton.
From the British embassy today
came the official declaration that
England will make formal representa-
tons for the Appam's release. Such
a note Is being prepared. England Is
| to insist that the Appam is . prize
and as such, in neutral port. en-
titled to release and return TO nei
owners.
II the state department decides the
Appam is not German auxiliary and
interned, high officials today declared
| this government will answer Eng
lands demand with an order placing
the Appam in prize court.