The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-02
LINER ST.LOUIS
READY TO SAIL
Ship Flying American Flag
May Be First to Test Ger
man U-BOat Threat.

II the American liner st. Louis sails
from New York for Liverpool tomorrow
according to schedule she will be the
first to leave this country under an
American flag since February /, when
the new German blockade began. and the
first to test the new German war
hazards Her cargo and coal are being
taken aboard and about 10 passengers
half Of them American citizens. have en-
gagged passage. Whether or not she sails
depends on the State Departments an
swer to a request for instructions tele-
graphed to Washington yesterday morn
ing by p. A, S. Franklin. president OF
the International Mercantile Marine,
which owns the American Line.
I'm our message to the State Depart
ment," Mr. Franklin said last night, we
pointed out that the St Louis under the
flag OF the United States and carrying
mail under contract with the united
States would be ready TO sail at noon
on Saturday. We pointed out that she
would carry, first, second and third class
passengers, as we'll as mail and cargo,
and was insured with the war FISK
bureau of the Government. which means
that she would carry no absolute con-
traband as defined by the latest German
lists.
Liner Philadelphia at Sea.
1--WE also called to the attention OF the
State Department the fact that the
American Line steamship Philadelphia
under the United states flag, on her way
from New York to Liverpool. was now
about 1900 miles from Liverpool and
that she carries passengers mail ana
cargo under the same conditions. we
not ed also that the American Line steam
shin Finland, under the nag OF the
United states, was due at Liverpool
about February or 4. =,
I'VE asked the state Department IN
consideration OF the latest German note
to advise us quickly II We should senu
instructions to the ships now at sea and
II we should despatch the st. Louis to
I,Iverpool on the regular route and
schedule as heretofore.
1--WE also pointed out that Falmouth
mentioned in the German note as the
port OF destination for American pas
senger steamships. does not have ade-
ouate facilities for coaling or handling
cargo and is absolutely impractical as
terminus for line Of steamships.
ShtDs to he Illuminated.
Further, we reminded the State De-
nartment that our steamships have their
names, nationality and the United states
flag prominently painted on their sides
and Illuminated at night, including a
special illumination Of the United states
flag over the stern, which Is kept flying
at night"
Mr.. Franklin was asked II he thought
the st. Louis would sail. He replied:
I'VE have every intention OF sailing
and are going ahead with the usual
plans. But we can't do anything until
! the authorities determine their policy.
, We have heard nothing from Washing
! ton We have sent no wireless instruc-
! tions to our ships at sea-
! He said that no preparations had
been made to decorate the st. Louis with
white and red stripes He saw no reason
| in the absence of instructions from
| Washington to follow the German pre-
! scription as to paint or to change the
/ destination OF the ship from Liverpool
! u Falmouth.
! First cabin reservations number about
! forty. second cabin forty and third
cabin thirty. The cargo will amount to
| about 1000 tons. the ships capacity
! Most OF II is classed as express freight
, paying special rate. There In lot OF
refrigerated goods. including apples and
+, other fruit. destined chiefly for hospitals
The st. Louis lies at the foot OF Wes,
| Twenty-second street. When she was
built in 1894. she was the third larges,
ship afioat, and was described as "colos.