The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-10
Examination of U-Boat Now at Baltimore to Be Made
 by State Department
TRIP OF SUBMARINE
 HAS CAUSED A STIR
England and France Likely to At tempt to Detain U-Boat by Court Proceedings if Possible-A
 Lesson to Naval Officers

Washington, July 9.-The first concern of the United States in the arrival of the German super1 submarine, Deutschland, is to determine whether the submersible is properly a merchant vessel or whether, under any interpretation of the principles of international law, she could be classed as a warship.
 Nothing but an examination of the sub marine itself, with a survey of her arma- ment, if any, and the composition and character of her crew. can settle the point This will be made by the state department and the customs authorities as soon as the ship puts into Baltimore
 Whichever way the issue is decided new questions of international law are almost sure to be added to the many which the war has produced for the United States.
 As warship the Deutschland would be required to leave an American port with in "A hours of her arrival, unless addi- tional time was required to make her seaworthy.
 As purely commercial ship she would be free to enter and leave American ports. If she should venture to return to Ger many the submarine would enjoy protec- tion of the United States within the three mile limit If she should fall a prey to hostile warships on the high seas, the concern of this government, in its stand for the safety of peaceful commercial ships, would be governed entirely by the conduct and character of the submarine itself precisely as would be the case if she sailed wholly above the water instead of at times below the surface.
 DISPOSED TO ACCEPT
 State department officials were disposed to accept the statement of the German captain that his is a merchant ship. The question can be determined along well de- fined lines. If the submarine flies mer- chant flag, if she is manned by a civil ian crew. if she carries no offensive arm ament and is plainly engaged in com merce, it is not regarded as necessary that any question shall be put to the dip lomat branch of the government by the customs authorities.
 It is supposed that the Deutschland does carry some guns, but if they are of the type usually mounted on submarines, they are of the disappearing kind, of compar- atively light calibre and probably will not fall under the ban, unless it Is developed that the guns can be trained ahead, in- stead of only aft
 The presence of torpedo tubes, if there are any such in place, might present a new problem but the officials are dis
 
 themselves to stamp the vessel as war ship unless there is carried a supply of torpedoes.
 One point of much interest to officials here is the ownership of the Deutschland. That may have great deal to do with the determination of her status. The mere flying of the German merchant flag tffsTbwlx>o light upon that point. It is conceivable that if it should appear that the ship is owned and operated by the German government that fact might cause officials to regard her as not par taking of the character of a merchant ship but rather that of a naval auxiliary. It already has been established that if any question arises as to the exact char acter of a ship, due time may be taken by the port officials to determine them and that is particularly true if recourse to the courts becomes necessary.
 MAY OBTAIN U-BOAT
 The attitude of the British and French governments is uncertain. It 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 detaining her.
 It is recalled that the large Ger man submarine which arrived at Car tagena, Spain, several weeks ago, mak- ing the pioneer cruise of this char acter for submarine. though nom inally on a peaceful mission, attacked and sunk at least one merchant ves- sel, if not more, after leaving the Span ish port on her return cruise. On the possibility that the Dutschland might also attack shipping some officials rather expect a protest against the clearance of the vessel.
 Successful negotiations of the high seas by the Deutschland is regarded by naval officials here as indicating the quick approach of the ti19e when giant underwater boats will divide honors with the superdreadnaugh types as masters of the seas.
 The sensational feat of the Deutsch- land caused a stir in navy circles, many officers accepting it as the first