New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-02
p. A. S, Franklin Tells
Lansing St. Louis
Sails Tomorrow
ASKS IF BERLlN'S
RULES WILL HOLD
Other Lines Awaiting Re-
pIy to Owners of Amer
ican Vessels

The question of whether the United
States would abide By the rules for
American ships laid down by Berlin,
was put squarely to the State Depart
ment yesterday.
PA s. Franklin, president of the
International Mercantile Marine, sent
: telegram to Secretary Lansing an
nouncing that the steamship st. Louis,
now in port, was taking on cargo and
passengers were being booked to sail
for Liverpool tomorrow.
Unless instructed to the contrary by
Washington. the st. Louis will sail as
usual for Liverpool, the usual port Of
destination.
The kilograms sent by President
Franklin to Secretary Lansing officially
advised the State Department that the
s.. Louis is an American ship, owned
by American citizens, insured by the
United States War Risk Bureau, carries
as passengers American citizens and
as cargo such merchandise as is IN
compliance with the government war
risk bureaus regulations with refer
enee TO contraband.
ST. Louis TEST" Ship
The ST. Louis is the first trans
Atlantic liner scheduled to sail since
the receipt Of the German note and
great interest is expressed in shipping
circles relative to her departure, as
she is regarded in the light of 'test"
ship.
From Washington word was received
that no action would be taken by the
State Department, until the Presidents
action on the German note was an
nounced.
Officials Of the State Department an
bounced that the Department neither
would approve nor discourage the de-
parture Of American steamers for
ports in the "war zone" until the
Presidents stand in the matter was
made public, and that to do so would
be putting the cart before the
horse"
Mr.. Franklin's telegram also advised
nat the liner Philadelphia, operated
vnder the same conditions. was now
about 1000 miles from Liverpool on
her way from New York; that the
Steamship Finland was due 20 leave
Liverpool for New York February or
4. and The steamship Kroonlsnd had
sailed yesterday from Liverpool for
New York.
Like the St Louis. the Philadelphia,
Finland and Kroonland carry passen-
gers. On the Philadelphia there are
ihirty-hve American citizens and 14S
siiens, on the Finland forty-six Ameri-
cans and ia siens Cable advices as
10 the Kroonlsnd placed the number
on board az l91, but gave no informa-
ton as TO their nationality.
Objects to Falmouth as Port
objection to the designation by Ger
many Of Falmouth as the British port
o. destination for the American ships
vas also registered with Secretary
Lan,ing by Mr.. Franklin. He stated
nat Falmouth was port without adc-
saate terminal facilities. docking con-
'enienees for means Of obtaining coal,
"fming II absolutely impractical"
ne asked the State Department to
"fpateh an answer as soon as possible,
determine whether we should warn
pgr hners az present az sea, and
,hetner we should dispatch the 81.
Louis on her scheduled sailing time"
saia ar. Franklin last night. "We
siso pointed out that all vessels Of the
american Line at present had large
american fagG painted on each side,
.ne' a tearchlight played ali night on
ne American flag hoisted at the stern,
$50 nat the names Of all the ships
rtrs illuminated at night.
.. ne sha.l do nothing until the
Nhl,ed states settles upon policy
sne until We are adyiged By some one
- 5ulhouty A. 20 what course we
horld pgrsue."
when asked directly whether the ST.
ho1is would sail Saturday, Mr.. Frank
~ asid: We are going ahead with our
pam 70 sail for Liverpool according
our schedule as usual"
No Warning Sent 10 Liners
Assed II any word had been com.
.snis%td 20 the liners philadelphia %
"c INLAND. Ar. Frsaklin said:
=. &c nave cent 10 wireless Tnesgages
Ntosf the Philadelphia or Finland,
..y.'nifds Of yhoze passenger prob.
"D' are eitzeng Of the United states,
''susos1 ea page !, column 4