The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-02-01
Germany's Message Of Warn.
ing Causes Virtual Closing
of Harbor and Sailings
Are Cancelled.
WATCH 1NTERNED SHIPS
Boston Port Not Closed, But No
Ships Sail From There Early
Today and But One Left
Yesterday.

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service
NEW YORK, Feb. New York
to6ay is virtually closed port, fol-
low ing the receipt Of Germany's mes
sage of warning Of the beginning OF q
BLOCKADE on England and unrestrict.
I'd submarine warfare.
Only one ship Of any sise-the Hol-
|land-American liner Noordam-is ex-
pected to enter port today and no
sailinss Of any largo TRANSATLANTIC
vessels are now scheduled.
The British Atlantic fleet was en-
route to the waters on New York
hafboes trOs -1ny1 aeo, ostsnslbly bent
on chasing the German raider. Tho
entire Aaet II now In position To
convoy shipping if necessary. accord
ing to admission in British circles
Nhere.
A strict watch has been placed on
all German vessels interned here.
Rumors that the crews might at
tempt to scuttle the ships and then
flee in the event of declaration Of
war. were flying fast. 1t was de-
clared, however, there would be little
use Of such step for the ships are
now lying virtually on the mud. due
lying in their slips two and a half
years, with no opportunity for dredg-
ing.
In Hoboken, where most Of the
German ships are lying, an extra
guard of policemen was stationed
around the piers.
The huge Vaterland, the worlds.
largest ship, is the only one Of the
German vessels, according to re-
ports, which has coal enough for
more than a days voyage. In view
of that, it was believed there would
be no chance for dash to sea by
any Of the vessels.
By order of Dudley Field Malone.
collector of port of New York, a
United States destroyer stationed at
Quarantine in New York harbor,
turned back all ships last night. No
reason was given, but it was sup
posed the action was taken to give
ship owners time to learn the gravity
of Germany's message.
British naval preparations around
New York harbor within the last
few days gives ample proof, accord
ing to shipping circles, that Great
Britain knew of the approaching pro
Of Germany.
Great Britain's North Atlantic
squadron was ordered several days
ago in waters adjacent this harbor,
ostensibly for the purpose for search !
ing for German raider. 1t is now
believed these precautions were
taken with a view to using the war
ships as convo9s for allied ships
leaving New York harmon.
1t was stated authorftatively that
four thousand British ships of vari- |
ons classification are available for
convoy duty and submarine chasing !
on the Atlantic. !
Approximately two thousand Amer. |
ican citizens are nov on the Allan
tic. bound either for this country or
Europe. In addition there are hun
dreds of Americans working as mem
ters of crews on ships carrying sup |
plies to the allies.
At the Brooklyn navy yard 1t was
stated no extra precautions are beng
taken to regulate shipping. No OIL
ders other than those which have
been followed since the war started,
have been issded.
The British and French naval at
taches conferred today and an
nounced that they could take ne ac
ton until they received instructions
from their home governments.
officials of steamship lines said no
of sailings had been
ordered as yet. They apparently
we're taking no action until the situ-
alton clears.
British steam ship officials an
,,ounced they had no authority TO
cancel or postpone sailings as such
action would have to be ordered
from London.
They were bitter and ironical in
their comments on the German proc