Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-10
SUBMARINE STATUS
FOR j. S. TO DECIDE
New Questions of International
Law Almost Sure to
Be Raised.
ALLIES MAY ENTER PROTEST
AS Purely Merchant Ship, This
Government Not Concerned in
Novel Manner of Arrival.

WASHINGTON. July o.-Thc first
concern of the United States I'm tho
arrival of the German submarine
Deutschland is to determine whether
the submcrsible is properly a merchant
vessel. or whether. under any inter
pretation. she could be classcd as Il
warship.
Nothing but an examination of the
submarine itself, with a survey of her
armament, If any, and the compost
tion and character of her crew, can
settle the point. This will be made
by the State Department and the GUS
toms authorities as soon as the ship
puts into Baltimore.
Whichever way the issue is decided.
new questions of international law arc
almost sure to be added to the many
which the war has produced for the
United States.
AS Il warship the Deutschland would
be required to leave an American port
within twenty-four hours of her ar
rival. unless additional time was re-
quired to make her seaworthy
AS purely commercial ship she
would be as free to enter and leave
American ports as any other. and this
government would have no concern in
fact that the ingenuity and daring of
the German Admiralty had been able
to get ship through the allied block
ade.
PROTECTION OF UNITED STATES
WITHIN THREE-MILE LIMIT
If she should venture to return to
Germany, the submarine would enjoy
the protection of the United States
yxif, in hn
should fall prey to hostile warships
on the high seas. the concern of this
government in it's stand for the safety
Of peaceful commercial ships. would
be governed entirely by the conduct
and character of the submarine itself.
precisely as if she sailed wholly above
the water.
Based on such information as had
come to hand tonight. State Depart
ment officials were disposed to accept
the statement of the German captain
that his is a merchant ship. If the sub
marine flies a merchant flag: if she is
manned by Il civilian crew: If she
carries no offensive armament, and is
plainly engaged in commerce. it is no;
regarded as necessary that any uues-
ton shall be put to the diplomatic
branches of the government by the
customs authorities.
The estate Department has we'll cs-
tablished it's position OH the question
of offensive and defensive armament
on merchant ships.
GUNS OF LIGHT CALIRER
WILL NOT FALL UNDER BAN
1t is supposed that the Deutschland
does carry some guns, but IL they arc
of the type usually mounted OH sub
marines they are of comparatively light
caliber. and probably will not fall
under the ban. unless ii is developed
that the guns can be trained ahead, in-
stead of only aft.
The presence OF torpedo tubes, if
there are any. might present IL new
problem. but the officials are disposed
to regard them as not sufficient in
themselves to stamp the vessel as Il
warship, unless there Is carried sup
ply of torpedoes
One point of much interest to Off
cials here is the ownership of the
Deutschland, which may have a great
deal to do with her status. II it should
appear that the ship is owned and
operated by the German government,
that fact might cause officials to re-
gard her as partaking OF the charac
ter of IL naval auxiliary. II any ques-
tions arise to the exact character
of n ship, due time may he taken by
the port officials to determine them.
particularly if recourse TO the courts
becomes necessary.
The attitude Of the Ertish ana
French governments is uncertain. Tho
embassies of those governments in
Washington have been alert for some
time for the approach OF the vessel
1t is probable that they will allow no
opportunity to pass to hinder or pre-
vent the departure OF the Deutschland,
and that they will seek legal grounds
for OBTAINING her. Close scrutiny will
he made OF the location of the guns on
the submarine, if she carries any, and
objection may be expected if they arc
capable of being aimed forward. and
thus used to pursue merchant ship.
PROTEST AGAINST CLEARANCE
EXPECTED FROM ALLIES
1t is recalled that the large subma-
rine which arrived at Cartagcna,
Spain. several weeks ago, making the
pioneer cruise of this character for Il
submarine. though nomnally on Il
peaceful mission. was alleged to have
attacked and sunk at least one mcr-
chant vessel, If not more. on her re-
turn cruise. On tho possibility that
the Deutschland might also attack
shipping. some officials rather expect
II protest against the clearance of the
vessel.
Summarizing the situation from an
official point of view. 1t will be in
Continued on Second Pagc.)