The sun., 1917-02-03
Steamship Officials Here
Chagrined and Disap-
pointed by Delay.
ST. LOUIS SCHEDULED
TO DEPART TO-DAY
American Liners Owners
Vainly Await Definition
Of U. s. Policy.

After hours Of tense expectation the
ofYlcials of the American Line were cha
grined. as well as disappointed, In not
hearing last night from the United
States Government that their liner st.
Louis. flying the American flag, carry
ing American mail. was at liberty to
take the sea at her accustomed hour
and upon her accustomed business.
Knowing that the President was dis
cussing with the Cabinet yesterday
afternoon the course of policy to be
taken with Germany, President p. A. $.
Franklin Of the International Mercan-
tile Marine, Of which the American Line
10 q constituent, remained in his Office
at Broadway until o'clock last
night, anticipating a telegram from the
Secretary Of State assuring him that
American merchant ships still enjoyed
the freedom of the seas. But at p.
N, no direct word had come from WASH
inxton, and all that Mr.. Franklin had
TO make his dinner cheerful was the
hint conveyed in news dispatches that
Secretary Lansing had inttmated vaguely
that the st. Louis had better not leave
today or until the U-boat issue was
decided.
Although an Associated Press des-
match quoted Secretary Lansing as say
ing the American Line had been given
the suggestion-not an order-that II
would be we'll to postpone sailinss pend
Ing a decision. officials of the line last
night asserted no such message had
been delivered here.
Steamship Omcials shocked.
American Line officials were literally
shocked at the failure Of the Govern
nent to define quickly their natural
procedure President Franklin hopes
hat when he gets down to his office
this morning a message from Secretary
Lansing instructing him to send the 81.
Louis with her 800 passengers on her
way at noon. sailing time, VIII be on
his desk: otherwise he will scarcely
know what to do. II is taken LOT
granted, however. that the liner VIII re-
main tied up at her dock until the
United States Government iornuia'es
definite policy.
"If Mr. Lansing has stated that the
At. Louis be held it is likely that we Will
be advised tomorrow morning, SAID Mt.
Franklin last night Naturally. we shaii
act in conformity with that recommenda-
ton. 1t Is we'll to note that the Ameri-
can Line is a national institution. nav
inE a contract with the United states
Government for carrying the mails 10
Europe on regular dates.
'"The line was organized under the
mall act of 1891 and is maintained un-
der the provisions OF that act. In this
crisis we feel that we must be advised
oficially what to do. We have asked the
State Department and the Post once DE,
partment for instructions. We mus
know where We stand.
"Are we at liberty to travel the seas
or may we travel only according to the
ORDERS and conditions laid down by an
other country? That is the whole dues'
tion."
American Line Ruling Vital.
Every steamship line and agency II
New York-in the United States. iol
that matter-is awaiting with intense in
ierest the United States Government
instructions to the American Line rela
tive to the movement Of the liner ST
Louis.
II is anticipated that those instruc
tions will reveal the decision of the Gov
ernment as to whether American ships
are to proceed as they have done since
tho days of John Paul Jones or are t
take orders virtually from a foreign ma
ton.
Around the future operations of tn
American Line. which has been sedulou!
in not only obeying the neutrality regu
iatons but has declined 10 carry mu
uitions of war, revolves the whole dues
ton as to whether American commerc'
with Europe is to continue or TO b'
stifed That is the way steamship mel
size it up.
Steamships OF neutral countries-Hol
land. Norway. sweden. Spain amoni
them--are also holding back in port unit
the United States Government. move
one way or another
The Scandinaviau-America Line re
ceived cabied instructions to postpone
sall!ngs until the situation had beer
cleared up. Their big passenger vesse
the Helig Olav, in port here, is delayed
indefinitely.
The Royal Netherlands Steamship
Company. with ten vessels loading II
Il American ports cargoes consigned TO TN
| Dutch Government has been ordered 4
defer sa!lings until further notice
The Holland America Line has beei
ordered from abroad to postpone sail
ings. and their Noordam. now loadinl
the sailing day. The freighters, sll
a. here. two in Baltimore and two il
Charleston, will tie up.
BeIliserents' ships 10 Sail.
on the other hand. ships OF the bel
IL gerent Powers are scheduled to 20 ou
the dot. Their agents doubt that tn
Nv submarine peril Is much create
q In the old The French liner Rocham
y Conttnvod on Second Pare,