New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-03
GERMAN SHIPS
BAR INQUIRY
Continued from page I

the Hudson River. Several Of the
ships, the paper says, have naval guns
concealed in their coal bunkers, ready
to be brought out for action.
The new German order forbidding
neutrality inspectors from going be-
low comes as complete surprise.
There is no recourse, for 10 defy the
order would be to commit an act OF
war. 1t was stated last night that if
neutrality officers were denied en-
trance il was purely in accordance
with the law of tenantcy and owner
ship, and that to transgress such a
law would be to commit a hostile ac..
A special guard from the various
German vessels manned the bridges
which connect the liners. These
bridges connect every two vessels tied
at each side OF a dock running beneath
the roof. Two stairways on either side
Of the bridge give access to 1t from the
floor OF the dock. Yesterday German
sailors were stationed at the foot OF
the stairways and also on the bridges,
stopping all tradesmen and others who
might have business aboard, even after
the latter had been passed by neutral
ity officers on guard.
Every one seeking TO gain admittance
20 the vessels must, therefore, pass in
spection five times once outside the
high steel gates surrounding the Ham
burg-American and North German
Lloyd lines. a second time at the en-
trance TO the pier, thirdly after enter
ing the barred Enclosure, next at the
bottom OF the stairs leading TO the
bridge and last on the bridge itself
The German are making sure that no
mitted aboard
Neutrality issues were the chief topic
Of discussion in shipping circles yester.
day. Among the possibilities discussed
was the chance that Il coastwise ship,
which under the Federal laws is not
obliged TO clear, might take on = large
cargo and put TO sea at night. osten.
sibly for the port named in the YES.
sells loading manifest. When at sea
she could easily discharge her cargo 10
any other vessel bound in ballast for
some foreign port and return TO take
, on fresh cargo.
May Make All Clear
This question was asked officials OF
the Custom House, who replied that
such acts might be committed By coast.
wise vessels, and that measures were
seriously being considered to compel
every cargo boat leaving the Port Of
New York to obtain clearance papers.
The measure OF enforcing all vessels
TO clear might be extended to all pri-
vate yachts over certain tonnage to
prevent blockade running" shipping
men believed.
Late yesterday afternoon an impor-
tant conference was held in the Col
nf ha
attended by Collector Malone, Deputy
Collector George Lamb. head Of the
neutrality squad; Acting Police Com
missioner Leon c. Cooley and SuperIn-
tendent William VI. Offley Of the De-
partment Of Justice.
As a result OF the conference il was
decided that all matters relating to
foreign and domestic shipping az this
port are to be looked after by Deputy
Collector George Lamb and his neu-
trality squad. In tho event Of the lat
ter force coming across anything sus-
picious or obtaining information indi-
eating plots, the special agents OF the
Department of Justice and the police
forces OF this city, Jersey City or llo-
boken arc 20 be called on 20 make liz
vestigations.
Out0ardly calm, residents OF the Ho.
boken river front await internstionsl
developments, confident that the next
biggest thing TO declaration Of wat
will be what will happen on the river
front II war proves 10 be inevitable.
I. Is the firm conviction of a great
many men In that section OF the city
that something would happen before
N, ships OF the North German Lloyd
and Hamburg American lines passed
into the possession OF the Unite !
States.
Forcsee Ships Destruction