The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-09
REFUSALTOARM
TIES UP SHIPS
American Line Hard Hit by
Lack of Definite Gov
ernment Policy.

The refusal Of the Government to en-
courage American steamship owners to
continue sailings has produced a COM
plete tieup Of neutral traffic so far as
this port is concerned The German
blockade has been absolutely effective.
American ships. Dutch ships. Scandi-
navisn ships are compelled to idleness.
Terminals are piled high with freight.
Mail service to Europe has been i'm
measurably hurt Manufacturers, mer-
chants and shippers. many bound by
contract. are facing great loss.
Practically all of these interests look
to the International Mercantile Marine,
or rather to its American constituent.
the American Line, for guidance as to
what policy to follow. but President
Franklin OF the line Is as helpless. in the
present attitude of the Government. TO
lay down course Of action to be fol-
lowed by American shipping as are any
OF the smaller concerns.
While he declines to discuss the stand
taken by the Government. II Is no secret
that the American Line officials are
angry and humliated. Their general
feeling is that they deserve better OF the
Government than they have received
and that the Government has virtually
| deserted them in their extremity.
Having notified the American Line
that the sea is as free to American ships
to-day as 1t ever has been. the State
Department withhold any advice or
suggestion except that the ships may
| carry guns II the owners believe there is
need of It, But the trouble is that there
seems to be no guns available and that
gun pointers are few
Won't Give Guns and Crews.
| The Government has turned cold
shoulder to suggestions that naval guns
| and navy gunners be furnished to all
American ships. and the alternative is
put up to President Franklin and his
colleagues OF trying to find some sort
| of guns and some kind of gunners that
have no connection with Government
service.
That Is the problem that Mr. Franklin
and his aids were still toiling over last
night and which may likely engage their
attention for several days before the
| st. Louis and St. Paul are permitted to
sail. The line doesn't 60 80 far as to
state officially that It wants expert gun
| pointers from civil life TO apply at 9
Broadway for Jobs. or that 1t hopes the
| Bethlehem Steel or other big ordnance
| concerns will offer much needed rifles.
but as matters stand these requests are
pretty apt to be made within few
hours. There seems to be no other way
out of It.
Having had all the responsibility
showed upon its shoulders the line feels
that it must take time to thresh out
details. One thing IL certain--no ships
| Of Iran I'LL IL,
will go to sea striped like barber pole
and under orders TO make an undesirable
port,
When the St. Louis goes out, as she
will go sooner or later. she will sail as
ships have always sailed under the
stars and Stripes. She will be armed
fore and aft. ready to fight Off pirates
and to take her chances. Every precau-
tion possible will be taken TO protect
the lives of the lines patrons and to
uphold American liberty upon the seas
The thing that gals the line officials is
that they cannot expect protection from
the Government until some OF their
American passengers have been slaugh-
cred by German submarines.
Expect to Get Enough Men.
Mr. Franklin, his associates and coun-
sci for the line had several conferences
yesterday and last night as to ways
and means OF procuring the necessary
armament. 1t is supposed that there
should be plenty OF ex-navy men in the
port who would be willing TO take q
sporting chance In the new crcum-
stances, 1t is believed that there are
guns available even II the Government,
declines to lend any to protect American
passengers and seamen. At all events
the purpose OF the line Is to do the best
II can In the pinch wherein II finds itself
One alternative is absolutely rejected
that the line shall obey the German de.
cree and tie up Its ships.
Ship owners under other neutral flag,
are similarly embarrassed. 1t is known
that they expected stronger statement
from the State Department. Az 1t IN the,
don't know which way to turn and ar,
compelled to delay sailings, thereby con
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