Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-22
DIRECT ISSUE LIKELY on
EARNED SHIP" PROBLEM

WASHINGTON. January 2l.-Dircct
Issue between the German government
and the United States on the question
OF armed merchant vessels" tonight
loomed up as possible result of the
raidinE activities of German COM
merce destroyers in the Atlantic
Prompted by unofficial reports that
American citizens are held as prisoners
II war in Germany, the State Depart
nent directed Amba ssador Gerard. at
Eerlin, TO make a detailed report on
the circumstances at once y prompt
reply is expected from the ambas ssador.
The department was informed that
among the .prisoners of war taken to
Germany by the captured British yes
sci farroWdale We're 1T least three
Americans. members OF the crew Of the
captured ship. All OF the crew of the
farrowdnle were held as prisoners Of
war. il was stated. the German gov
eThmcnt holding that they were taken
aboard an armed ship opposing the
German naval forces. 1t is expected
that Ambassador Cicrard's report on
the matter will be followed at once by
a demand on Germany for the rclcas,
nf tho Americans. German sources in
Washington said tonight that there
was little Likelihood OF a serious contro-
Nersy growing out OF the situation
and il was apparent that German dirlo-
mats here believe tho Americans will
pc released on demand
SITUATION CAUSES
SEItIOtS CONCERN
The situation. however is causing
serious concern to the state Depart
mcnt. The armcc ship question is SIN
at issue, although in '.ayance between
this country ana Germany. Tho United
states mas held since the beginning OF
the war that placing guns an a ncr-
chant vessel for defensive purposes
iiG not destroy the peace merchant
men character OF tn" ship. ,i.rnanV
mas taken the position that the arm
ing o! merchantmen AUTOMATICALLY
transforms the vessel into an auxiliary
cruiser. and places hcr crew in tho po.
sition OF bclligcrents It is on the con-
Struction of tho doctrine OF armed mer-
chantmcn that the Sta,c Department;
believes tho German government is
holding the men captured aboard the
Narrowdale and other entente MGR
chant ships captured by the ,;"rn,an
raiders AZ "prisoncrs OF war rh'
ihit"d states. under its previous CON
trni'on;. must regard th. Yarr"wdalc
as merchant ship. 'rlre vessel re
ce'Neu clearance papers from the Am"r-
ichn government at the port Of New
YORK when *he sailed on tho voNaE.
that ended in hor capture. She WAS
declared as Il peaceful mcrchautirau
bound on u commercial VOYAGE.
The state Department Is anXiously
awaiting adviccs as to tho disposition
made of tho nine Americans captured
on merchant ships by the raiders and
sent into Pernamhuro Brazil No di-
rect demand has yet been made for the
release of these men. Thcy ;rc in tho
same position as tho 'pris"nrrs
brought into Norfolk by the German
prize crew which conveyed the cap
tnred British ship hppam across tho
Atlantic. The Apnam prisoners were
released hy the United States imme-
diatcly upon their arrival in this c"uu-
try. II is expected that tho Brazilian
government will effect tho release OF
the Americans taken into Pcrnambuco
aboard captured prize.
The recurrence of this question at
this time has impressed tho admins
tration seriously. Tho submarine con
trovery still is unsettled between tho
United States and Germany 4 re-
uval OF diplomatic argument between
the two countries would he looked upon
as particularly unfortunate. with the
President still seeking means TO bring
about peace In Europe.