Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-02
MAY RULE ON SHIPS
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sent by President Franklin to Secre-
tary Lansing officially advised the
state department that the st. Louis is
an American ship. owned by American
citizens. insured by the United States
War Risk Bureau. carries as passen-
/ gers American citizens and as d ,a,-
so such merchandise as is in complI-
ance with the government war risk
bureaus regulations with reference TO
contra band.
The telegram also advised that the
liner Philadelphia operated under the
same conditions. was now about 1900
miles from Liverpool on her way from
New York. that the steamship Fin
Land was due to leave Liverpool for
New York Feb. or and the steam
ship Kroonland had sailed yesterday
from Liverpool for New York.
Like the St. Louis the Philadelphia.
Finland and Kloonland carry passeD-
gers. On the Philadelphia there are q
American citizens and AS aliens; on
the Finland IS Americans and ia al
lens. Gable adIiCes as to the Kroon-
land place the rumber on board as 1911
but gave no information as to their
nationality.
objection to the designation by Ger
many Of Falmouth as the British port OF
destination for the American ships was
also registered with Secretary LANSING
by Mr.. Franklin. lie stated that Fall
mouth was port without adequate ter
minal facilities, docking conveniences or
means Of obtaining coal, and termed it
absolutely impracticable"
Ships Plainly Marked
All ships of the American Line are
now plainly marked as to nationality and
name in large letters on both sides of the
hull Mr.. Franklin said In addition
an American flag is painted on both the
port and starboard side and at night the
ships not only are illuminated in the
usual manner but a special light is al
ways burning to display the American
flag flying astern."
mo answer has as yet been received
to my telegram to Mr. Lansing" Mr.
Franklin continued, 'and we can reach
no conclusions as TO future action until
we get a reply. Pending receipt of adj
vices, however, We shall continue prepa-
ratons to send the st. Louis away Sat
urday No instructions have been sent
by wireless to the other ships at sea-
Close N. Y. Port at Dark
Customs officials declined to state
whether the port would continue to be
closed after dark from now on, as 1t
was last night. Collector Dudley Field
Malone said: II will not discuss neu-
tralty matters.
1t was learned unoficially, however,
that the rules put into effect last night
would be continued. A torpedoboat de-
stroyer near the Narrows and another
at the entrance Of Long Island sound
! displayed unusual activity as soon as
darkness fell tonight. Searchliehts on
both war vessels constantly swept the
waters over which a ship could pass
Representatives Of British and allied
shipping firms here said no definite in
structions had been received as to flu
ture movements of their vessels. It
was said however by men connected
with some of the largest companies
that they would be controlled by Brit
ish admiralty orders. The action early
today of local representatives of the
Scandinavian American Line in hold
ing up the scheduled sailing of the
Helligolav was approved by a cable
gram from Copenhagen. Only few
ships left port today. mainly coasting
steamers and vessels for South and
Central America. An exception was the
Atlantic transport liner Philadelphia
which sailed for European ports late
today.
! AS anticipated by brokers, marine
insurance rates and war risks ad-
vanced sharply today. Shortly before
closing time a leading firm of under
writer's announced quotations showing
an advance of approximately IS per
cent. over rates made earlier in the
week.
! A special rate Of per cent. war risk
was quoted to apply to the lone Amer
lean ship each week to Falmouth" as
conditioned in the German note of yes
terday.
At the docks of the North German
Lloyd, Hamburg American and Aus
trian Lines. where q large number of
ships are self-interned, no unusual ac-
tivity was noticed. Police are CO.
operating with customs guards to pre-
serve neutrality. and no one is admit
ted to the piers where the ships are
tied up without being identified and
having proper credentials. Collector
Malone's trip Of inspection last night
according to Chief Hayes of the Ho-
boken police who accompanied him,
disclosed the fact that none of the
ships with the exception Of the giant
! Naterland. had enough coal aboard for
more than II hours steaming.
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