New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
U.S.Discovers Conspiracy
at Panama and
Manila Bay
WAR DEPARTMENT
POLICIES VESSELS
Secretary Baker Declares
CfeWs Can Continue
Damage
From The Tribune Bureau


Washington, Feb. 7.-Unmistakable
evidence of German plot to interfere
with commerce through the Panama
Canal and, in the harbor at Manila and
other Philippine ports was received al
the War Department to-day. To frus'
trate this plot, the United States has
taken possession of the ships in all
ports under the jurisdiction of the
War Department.
Secretary of War Baker issued
statement declaring that the ships had
not been SEIZED" but that the Ameri-
can authorities merely had taken pos
session of them to prevent distractions
to commerce. He further made the
announcement that the government
does not deny the right Of the crews
to continue their efforts to destroy Ine
machinery of the boats, provided ~ Is
done in such way as not 10 oosIrue'
nayigable waters o. endanger other
shipping. Lin; re-
The reports as to these SHIPS re-
vealed to-day that German vessels IN
American ports are divided into s 1!,N
cral categories. Some OF them, iAe
the prize ship Appam, are IN the'
todv of the Department OF justice, pc
cause they have been libelled ana Tue
cases are In the courts. p.;n,
Otbers-the informed cruisers Prlhz
Eitel Friedrich and KronprInz MiiheIn'
are in custody Of the Navy Depart
uent. which has removed and imprls-
oned their crews, according TO lnterna-
tional law governing internment.
All ships in the Philippines, the Cana
Zone. etc. are under the War Depart
ment. while the majority of the mer-
chant steamers in United States ports
are still in the hands of their German
crews and are treated exactly as othei
peaceful merchant ships, being Tree
theoretically at least, to start mer-
chant voyage at any time.
May Take Ships Here
The action of the War Department
in exercising police rights over the Ger
man liners in its jurisdiction suggests
the possibility that similar action may
be taken with regard to the vessels IN
continental United States ports. Inc
Federal government has a clear righ'
to exercise police rights If it suspects
plots to obstruct commerce or violate
( neutrality.
But the Administration, as Secretary
| Baker declared to-day, thinks 1t cannon
act 20 prevent the German crews from
destroying and dismantling to their
hearts content. II the time comes Tor
the United States, being at war with
Germany, to seize the German liners, It
will find nothing but hulks full OF
scrapped machinery. Instead of great
fleet of merchant steamers, 1T VIII nave
a flock of white elephants.
There is no doubt in the minds OF
officials here that the dismantling and
destruction was on orders from Der
lin, though there is no evidence as yet
70 that effect.
Baker Gives Explanation
Secretary Baker said:
"In the harbors Of Manila and else
where in the Philippine Islands and al
Colon, Panama, the German merchant
vessels were discovered TO have had
certain parts of their machinery re-
moved, and i'm some instances evidences
of preparation for the sinking of these
vessels had been made.
"Solely for the purpose of protecting
the several harbors and other shipping
and property therein steps have been
taken 10 prevent damage, but none OF
the ships has been seized by the gov
ernment Of the United States, aud IN all
cases the commanders and crews have
been informed that the government of
the United States had made no seizures
claims no right to the vessels and does
not deny the right OF the commander
and crew 20 dismantle the vessels II
they see At, so long as the destruction
is accomplis shed in a way which will not
obstruct navigable port waters or in
jure or endanger other shipping or
property.
1.-The breach Of diplomatic relations
between the governments Of the
United States and Germany has not
changed the relations of those ships
or their crews to the government OF
the United States or forfeited their
right to our hospitality, and the steps
taken are limited to necessary police
regulations to prevent injury to the
property of others or the obstruction
Of harbor waters"