The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-10-10
Status of Submarine in Neutral
Waters Questioned Earnest
ly by British
ADHERING STRICTLY
TO LAW OF NATIONS
No Legal Ground for Protest
on Part of This Country.
Washington Waits on Presi-
dent Before Talking

Washington. Oct. s-Two serious
international questions have arisen as
result of the German submarine
campaign off the American coast The
first Is between the United States and
Great Britain and concerns the issue
as to whether armed submarines are
to be treated as %arships and per-
mitted to enter American ports The
second Is between the United States
and Germany and turns on the point
Of whether Germany is fulfilling her
pledges to safeguard properly the
lives Of passengers before sinking non
combatant liners.
As to Germany the only disturbing
element is the possibility that the
President will decide Germany is not
adhering strictly to international law
when she turns passengers adrlft in
open boats.
Hitherto this question has not been
raised directly. Passengers have been
placed In open boats and left to the
mercy of the sea since the beginning
OF the war and. no American lives
having been lost, the practice has not
been the subject OF protest by this
country.
In the present cases. however. evil
dence is being gathered on this point
and Is being submitted directly to
President Wilson, The afhdavits of
persons who have been exposed to
danger by the action Of the U-boats
are being obtained.
Obltg alton 70 Safeguard lives.
Gsrmany's obligation to safeguard
the lives of passengers was stated
very clearly by Germany herself in
her last note in the case OF the Will
liam P. Frye when the question OF
i,~ln ,>i,, in q q
raised only incidentally. In that note
Herr Won Jagow wrote:
consequently the persons found on
BOARD Of vessel may not be ordered
into her Nfeboats except when the
general conditions. that is to say. the
weather, the condition of the sea, and
the neighborhood of the coasts af-
ford absolute certainty that the boats
will reach the nearest point For the
rest the German government begs to
point out that in cases where Ger
vessels for carrying contraband no
loss OF life has yet occurred"
silence Is the Rule.
The decision as TO whether or not
this new issue shall be raised with
Germany rests wholly with the Pres
ident. In both the State and navy
departments there is complete silence
on the subject. The word has gone
out that there shall be no talking. All
ears are set towards Shadow Lawn.
whence are to come the FIRST words
| indicating what shall be the attitude
OF the departments.
| 1t is admitted that in every respect
the U-boat commanders are adherins
| carefully to the rules hitherto laid
down by the American government
The vessels are being warned before
they are sunk and sufficient opportu-
nifty 10 being given every person or
board to set into the boats.
The suggestion that a proteat - ia
be made to Germany on the ground
I that she 10 maintaining virtual
blockade Of the American coast 10 dis
misssd with . vigorous denial.
The authoritative view Of admins
tration officials 10 that the operations
OF the German U-boat in Atlantic wa.
tiers 90 far are not essentially often.
sive to this government and that In
any event they do not constitute q
blockade.
No Grounds OF Pretest.
| 1t ts definitely stated therefore that
| the United States would have nc
grounds to protest against such OPP
erations provided tho submarines ad-
here to the international law require
ment of visit and search. Their right
to stop American ships and examine
them for contraband Is admitted.
| There r. official warrant for tho
statement that the actions OF the Ger.
man submarine are in no sense parable
to the cruising Of war vessels Of this
allies of New York. Hampton Roads
New London and other places.
| 1t was officially stated today thai
while the United States protested &c
| the British government against tn.
| towering Of British cruisers neal
American ports. the protest was basee
on the ground that these cruisers wer,
| In full view Of Ambrose channel, New
York. and that therefore their pres
ence was undeniably offensive and ir
ritating to this government 1t wal
noted by An authority today that Grea
Britain denied that the United States
had reason to object to the presenc,
OF her cruisers. Great Britain canno
therefore protest to the United State.
/ against the present operations Of Ger,
man ships of the American coast.
r. r. on Again saturday.
| New York Oct 9,-ColonAl RooaA