Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-08-14
TO SEEK SAFETY OF
AMERICAN PRISONERS
Number From Sunken Oil Tanker
Held Prisoners by Germans
FOOD CONTROL PROGRESSES
japanese ENJOYS Pledge Loyalty To
War Principles Of the United
States

that the United States Government
would make inquiry regarding the
fate of the merchant Captain and four
members of the naval armed guard re-
ported captured by the German sub
marine that sank the Standard Oil
tanker "Campana." The inquiry will
be made through diplomatic channels
and through the bureau that has been
established at Berne, Switzerland, to
look after the welfare of American
prisoners of war in Germany.
1t is insisted at the State Depart
ment that these men, if captured, are
entitled to every consideration as
prisoners of war, and that this Gov
ernment holds there is no ground on
which they could legally be executed
just because they had served on arm
ed merchant vessels. These vessels
were armed by the United States Gov
ernment itself and the members of
the armed guard were members of the
regularly established naval force of
the United States placed on the yes
sells for their protection. Under
these circumstances, if captured, it
is contended they should be treated as
prisoners of war and not as persons
attacking German submarines with
out Government commission and au-
thorization.
To Control Certain F0Odstuffs.
While the Food administration pro-
ceeded with its plans for the control
of the 1917 wheat crop, including the
creation of wheat control board to
have general charge of the regula-
tions, it became known that sugar and
dairy products would be placed un-
der supervision as soon as the wheat
situation was within control.
1t was reported that the drastic
regulations similar to those which
Herbert c. Hoover, as Food Admins
traitor, announced in connection with
the wheat supply would be applied to
these products if necessary This
comes, in a sense, as a warning to
dealers in these commodities to adj
just their business to the needs of the
Government, its Allies, and the con-
suming public. 1t is understood that
abuses which have featured the sugar
market, especially, have been placed
before the responsible Governmental
agencies
Japan Pledges Loyalty.
A Japanese mission to the United
States has arrived at a Pacific port
and proclaimed that its members came
officially "as comrades in a gigantic
struggle which involves the liberties
and the sacred rights of mankind
I'VE are here" declared Viscount
X Ishii. Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary, responding to an
address of welcome from the Mayor,
"as the representatives of Japan, on a
mission of friendship and good will
We come as allies in a common
cause"
Last night he adverted to this ma
tion's war panoply and its meaning
to Japan.
I'VE are particularly glad to be here
just at this time," he said, when all
America is showing a courage, pa
triotism, energy, and wholehearted
zeal. Naturally Japan is interested in
your preparations. We are glad tc
see them Not a sensible person in
Japan sees anything in your prepara-
, tions but great benefit to both coun-
tries in the future
We have always had confidence in
the fundamental justice. sound sense,
and broad vision of Americans. We
are glad of your preparations on land
and sea, because we believe they
mean an earlier peace"