Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-11
AMERICAN FRE|CHTERs
DEFY U-B0AT WARNING
Two Ships. With Stars and Stripes
Flying, Sail From New York
for Bordeaux.
MOST OF CREWS L. S. CITIZENS
Upon Their Voyages May Depend Is.
sue OF Peace or War With Ger
many-Leayc Without Mounting
Guns OF Any Kind

NEW YORK, February l0-With the
Stars and Stripes nying a, her taft
rail. and in defiance Of Germanys sub
marine warning, the American steam
ship Rochester sailed to-day for Bor-
deauX.
The Rochester was followed by the
American steamer Orleans, of the orl-
entail Navigation Company, also bound
for Bordeaux
These are the second sailings of
American steamers for allied ports
since Germany warned OF her extended
submarine warfare. The first vessel
TO brave destruction in the C-boat zone
was the Dochra. She sailed on Feb
ruaTy for Genoa
Upon the voyages OF the Orleans and
Rochester. manned by crews. twenty
two Of whom are american citizens.
may depend the issue of peace or war
with Germany.
Both carry contrabaud. according TO
the German point OF view. They are
not armed for defense against sub
marines. Neither are they marked to
comply with the conditions set down
by Germany ia her note warning the
American vessels
AMERICAN FLAG PAINTED
ON BOW AND STERN
"After taking the matter up at Wash
!ngton we have decided 10 allow the
steamer TO proceed without mounting
guns Of any kind" said an officer OF
the Kerr Line. Any ship flying tho
American flag, as the Rochester does.
mas the right to trade with Il foreign
country. and We do not anticipate that
the steamer will be interfcrcd with"
The Rochester has an American dag
painted on her bow. and another on
the stern. ON the side in three foot
letters. is her uame and u. s A.
The orleans is marked in a similar
manner.
The Orleans has seven americans In
her crew. including Captain Allen
Tucker. OF New Yor, city She is n
vessel Of 5000 tons. This was The
lyst sailing II the Orleans since she
was transferred from Argentine TO
American registry
The Rochester is of 1000 tons. car
rtes crew Of thirtr-thrcc. fifteen Of
whom are American citizens. Her
commander Captain j. Ilorkrits. is
4 naturalized American citizen Of
Swedish birth
While interest in tile shipping cir
"leS ccutcred on the test VOYAGES Of
tho Orleans and Rochester. REPORTS
concerning the safety Of other vee-
sells caused - feeling Of more op;i-
miSn than has been cvidcut since IN.
situation bccane grave
III : quick. general freight agent Of
the Kerr Line. announced that the sail
inss OF the line would continue until
forcibly stopped.
The post-otIice authorities are con-
sidcring the advisability of transfer
ring 1910 sacks OF mail from tn, Amer
team liner ST. Louis. which has been
held up here all week by the blockad,
situation. 10 tile british steamship
Cedric. which sails Tomorrow for
Liverpool without passengers.
Bankers. manufacturers and railway
men said to-day that tho reduced mum
Der of saiiings frnn, American PORTS
WAS beginning to bn felt. although AS
yet there was no serious congestion
Of carGocs at tho railroad terminals
II was said that many shippers are
Withholding their goods from the rail!
roads at the point # production he
cauS" they could not obtain the ncccs-
sary ocean tonnage
The situation is "A source OF annoy
anrc To banks doing business in for
ciSn cNchanS" sold and negotiated
against exports nov tied ~. To guard
against The loss OF interest :.ris.ar
from many prolonged delays. :o,n, ~
the largest banks here LaNc snt .a-
letters calling attention 10 the fact
that owing to the delay OF mails an
adjustment OF interest mus, bc made
on all items negotiated prior TO the
date OF the steamer sailing.