The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-02
Federal. State and City Au-
thorities Unite in System
of Vigilance.
SIX LINES TO HOLD UP
SHIPS PENDING NEWS
Vessels Won't Leave Until
President Wilson'S Policy
Is Announced.

Apprehension Of break with Ger
many gripped the port OF New York
yesterday. bringing about redoubled
vigilance on the part of Federal.
State and city authorities and agitating
shipping interests that are awaiting in
structions from the United States Gov
ernment or from the Governments Of
the Entente Allies. .-.---.---.----'
The first immediate effect OF the
tightening tension was measures taken
by Collector of the Port Dudley
Field Malone to protect the safety OF
The harbor. Convinced that there is
little likelihood of the escape of any OF
the Teutonic steamships, the Collector
had reason to believe that an effort
might be made to destroy one or more
Of the great cargo carriers in such
way as would block navigation. After
working all day yesterday, supplement-
ing his activities on Wednesday night,
ne felt sure tndt ne was "as'ot VI ''S
ituation.
The second rapid outcome OF the
crisis as felt here was the appeal made
~ all steamship lines to their Govern
ments for instructions as to how to
proceed with sailings.
The International Mercantile Marine
Company. controlling the American
Line, White Star and Red Star lines.
the Ieyland. Dominion and Atlantic
Transport lines. notified Washington
hat il was awaiting instructions. stat
ing that 1t would do nothing untH the
United States Government had settled
on policy.
While Collector Malone was positive
in asserting that the port Is not ofncially
closed. the actual situation developed
that ships are not moving in and out at
night. however freely they may proceed
N dayl gat The door was locked at
Quarantine on Wednesday night by the
destroyer Henley after orders had been
received by the commander forbidding
vessels from leaving in the dark.
The destroyer flashed her searchlight
everywhere across the waters and the
lazy tug Pentucket turned back all
craft that were pointing toward the open
sea \ tug going to attend vessels
loading explosives in Gravesend Bay and
four ocean going tugs bound for Phila-
delphia and Norfolk were ordered to
await daylight
ata !, ina
going in or out were stopped for inspec-
ton. Last night the stea mship Munor-
way, bound for Cuba, and the steamship
Rclgier We're turned back and held for
the night off Quarantine.
There is n general belief among ship
ping executives that the submarine peril
can scarcely be increased that Germany
has about done her worst. and that her
last note is gigantic bluff but II was
also generally recognized that II was up
10 the American or to the Allied Gov
'inments to say whether or not sailings
Should he made under the old condi-
tons No steamship company desired TO
taN" any action that might be an en-
barraSsnent to the President or to its
own Government
Nhcrover inquiry was made--at the
o'l'"7 Of the International Mercantile
Marine. the French line. the Holland.
''u'I l'h Lane, among many--there was
feeling that the German Government
haS been deliberately insolent In STATING
me terms on which salings would be
fermIticd from American ports. Steam
mp officials were unanimous In holding
that the United States Government could
rot accept the conditions and that q
ureak In relations is inevitable
II was pointed out by Vice-Presiden'
\, s. Franklin OF the international
Mercantile Marine that the German
Ccslgnation OF Falmouth as the one port
o' call for American ships was absolutely
i'npracticable, as Falmouth is without
"dequate docking or terminal facilities.
collector Malone was actuated by q
Very definite fear that Efforts would b'
made by German interests 10 slip somt
81 tie German and Austrian steamships
rom their piers. move them out into Tho
"arhor and sink them where their hulk'
would block all important channels. tt
Nevenl any such move and to forestal
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