Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-02-07
I|!E'I.ll9'Ij|IIa E'I.l
SEEK TO PREVENT
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chant vessels were discovered to have
had certain parts of their machinery
removed and, in some instances, evil
denees of preparation for the sinking
of these vessels had been made.
Solely for the protection of the
several harbors and other shipping and
property therein, steps have been TAX
en- to prevent damage, but none of the
ships hove been seized by the govern
ment of the United States, and in all
cases the commanders and crews have
been informed that the government of
the United States has made no seizures,
claimed 10 right TO the vessels and
does not deny the right of the com
mander and crew to diSmantle the YES
sells if they see fit, so long as the
destruction is accomplished in a way
which will not obstruct navigable port
waters or injure or endanger other
shipping or property.
"The breach of diplomatic relations
between the governments of the United
the relations of these ships and their
crews TO the government of the
United States nor forfeited their right
to our hospitality and steps taken are
limited to necessary police regulation
to prevent injury to the property of
others or the obstruction of harbor
waters.'
The administration, it was empha-
sized, both at the white house and war
department, is taking only the neces-
sary precautions against violations of
laws of any sort
1t was officially added that the ad-
ministration is taking the greatest
pains to see to it that no right of any
foreign government, or foreign owner
is violated.
The statement followed closely OF
reports tc government departments
that more than three dozen German
ships IN American harbors have been
damaged prposely since last week SC
that th2y would not fall into Amer
lean hands.
Seventeen of these were in the Phil
ippines, Philadelphia, New York, Bos-
ton, Charleston and elsewhere, to make
German property useless suggested to
officials here that the plan had been
pre- arranged
Full reports are slowly coming in
from port authorities. They indicate
damage So extensive as to cripple the
ships for six months in most cases.
Government officials today are of
ficially investigating unofficial re-
ports that a dozen or more ships al
Hoboken and New York docks have
been damaged, as well as reports that
nine others in Hawaiian ports have had
their machinery rendered useless by
! their crews.
There are thirty one ships in the har
Dor. The last inspection by the neu
trality squad here was last Wednesday
when the German note was received II
America. Thursday no inspection was
made, owing TO the tenseness of the sit
uation. Saturday request for permls
sion to 90 below decks was refused by
officers of the ships. Sunday Collector
Malone sealed the vessels. II damage
was done it was accomplished between
| Wednesday and Sunday, it is believed
| Secret service men do not belleV'
he engines have been knocked tt
pieces, but are Of the opinion that smal
parts which would seriously damage the
machinery have been removed and car
ried to a general base, probably in llo
boken. These could be easily CARRIE
back and replaced if the present sitna
/ ton becomes more serious.
I 1t was pointed out that such damage
as that suspected by secret service
men would preclude the possibility OF
the ships being taken down the bay tt
I be sunk in tire channel and also would
prevent dash TO sea. They might
however, be blown mp or sunk at then
piers.