New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-30
From The Tribune Bureanl

Washington, Jan. 29.-The possi-
bility that the United States govern.
ment will permit the use Of its ports
by British merchant ships armed
both fore and aft was admitted in
Administration quarters to-day. 1t
was said that this would not mean a
change of policy, as the State De-
partment never has passed on the
question.
The issue will rot arise now unless
the British government raises it, and
probably therefore there will be no
announcement Of this governments
position until ship so armed actu-
ally enters an American port and
applies for clearance.
The question was discussed by off,
cials to-day in connection with both
the British governments reported
intention TO arm vessels forward at
Halifax and the German govern
ment's action in holding as prisoners
the American sailors and passengers
taken on belligerent armed mer-
chantmen.
Prefers Open Use Of Guns
II was inferred from statements made
at the State Department that the Ad-
ministration world rather have the
fore-and-aft armed ships clear from
American ports as such than resort TO
tic subt rfuge of clearing unarmed and
then picking up armament at Halifax.
The right to use the latter method,
officials believe, can hardly be ques-
tioneo, as the United States is not en-
titled to pass on a vessels status ex.
cept when its interests as a neutral are
involved; but i. appears to many of
fcials that the appearance of irregu-
larity involved in such a method might
prejudice this governments position in
case of controversy with Germany
over a submarine attack.
The failure of the Berlin government
TO answer the American inquiries re-
garding he Americans held prisoner IS
resented here. Ambassador Gerard re-
ported to-day th.t he had presented
second i.quiry--a course so unusual as
to emphasize sharply this governments
Indignation. He reported several days
ago that the first demands had been
presented, and the Foreign Once had
accepted them without comment
Claims Right to Hold NeutraIs
The delay is held to be inexcusable
because the Yarrowdale arrived IN "A
German port a month ago, and the Ger
man government is known TO have a.
complet list of the neutral prisoners.
The bearing Of The Yarrowdale Incl
dent on the armed ship question lies IN
the fact that the German government
is understood TO claim the right TO
hold as prisoners all persons captured
on armed vessels. This claim Is direct
ly in lin, with the German contention
that any armed ship is warship.
The report from Copenhagen OF the
arrival Of twenty-six neutrals. includ-
ing Americans, from the crew Of the
Yarrowdale will not greatly alter the
issue. Only three Americans were
.
and she was not armed.
Fifty-four Americans from the armed
liners King George and George have not
been accounted for. lthas been presumed
that they we're among the l03 neutrals
admittedly held as prisoners of war
4 in Germany, on the ground that they
! had accepted pay for service on armed
I merchantmen, and therefore had be-
! come subject 10 capture as enemies.
! Great confusion exists in the public
mind about the State Departments at
/ titude toward the srming Of merchant
ships. As a matter OF fact, the depart
ment swerved only once from the posi-
| ton that il adopted early in the war
and maintains to-day-that every mer-
chant ship has a right 20 arm for de-
fence. and that there Is nothing In in
ternational law limiting this armament
Z or giving enemy war vessels the right
I 10 treat armed merchantmen as COM
batant ships.
Failed to Reach Agreement
The one deviation. which was after
/ ward admitted TO have been an error,
was in Mr.. Lansing's invitation TO the
/ beIIigerents 70 arrange modus vi
vendi, the Germans 20 agree 10 attack
no vessel without visit and search and
\ the Allies agreeing in return TO disarm
, their merchant vessels.
! There was nothing wrong in making
this suggestion--except that. as the
Allied governments said. IL asked them
20 forfeit a valuable right for nothing
but the State Department, unfortu-
nately, added a threat that the United
| States might exclude armed ships from
its ports unless the modus yiyendi was
accepted.
After the suggestion failed the State
( Department went back - its original
position, and there il stands to-day. II
il this: That every war vessel must
give every merchantmen. armed or un-
armed. the benefit Of all presumptions.
No merchant ship can be presumed TO
| have offensive intent no matter what