The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-08

days. II was believed that the high
on vesssls planning to venture into
the war zone.
The United States will under nc
circumstances seize the war-bound
herman veBels now in American
ports After comforting with Presi'
dent Wilson. Secretary OF War Baker
issued an ofYicial announcement as to
the attitude Of the government toward
these vessels. He said:
Won't Seize War Bound ships.
In the harbors of Manila and else
where In the Philippine Islands, and
at Colon. Panama, the German mer-
chant vessels were discovered to have
had certain parts of their machinery
removed and In some instances evil
dences of preparation for the sink
ing OF these vessels had been made.
Solely for the purpose OF protecting
the several harbors and other ship
ping and property therein, steps have
been taken to prevent damage but
none Of the ships have been seized
by the government OF the United
States. and in all cases the command
ers and crews have been informed
that the government OF the United
States has made no seizures, claims
no right to the vessels. ana does not
deny the right OF the commander and
crew to dismantle the vessels IL they
see Mt, so long as the destruction is
accomplished in a way which Will not
obstruct navigable port waters or IN
Jure or endanger other shipping or
property.
The breach OF diplomatic rela-
tions between the governments OF the
United States and Germany has not
changed the relation of these ships or
their crews to the government OF the
United States nor forfeited their right
to our hospitality, and the steps taken
are limited to necessary police regu-
lations to prevent injury to the prop
erty OF others or the obstruction OF
harbor waters"
Must Not Block Harbors.
1t was made clear at the war de-
partment that while the German
crews may destroy their ships to any
extent they deem advisable, they will
be prevented from taking any action
that would block channels or other
wise impede American shipping. Dis
covery Of plans in this direction, 1t
was stated, had led to the arrange
ment OF a close surveillance on all
OF these vessels. This surveillance
will be conducted by the department
OF Justice, which has already dis
patched agents to every port where
ships are war-bound, and with the CO.
operation OF the treasury department
and the navy department.
President Wilson again demonstrat-
cd his personal activity In the present
situation today. when. without warn
ing. he left the White House and
started on an in4pranptu visit to the
grim. gray State War and Navy
building. across the street. He made
his way through the guard lines about
the building and through the cor
ridors to Secretary OF State Lansing's
ONCE. The secretary was not in and
the president. without comforting with
any one else, started out of the build
ing. He had difficulty with the new
guard arrangements. however. All
doors to the building except one were
closed and looked. and the president
had to make a complete trip around
the long corridors before he could
find his way out, He then returned to
the White House. and a short time
later hurried to the Capitol, appar-
entity to confer with senator's as to
pending emergency legislation. When
he reached the senate, however, he
his action in the German crisis was
under consideration. and he left i'm
medtately.
Capitol" he said. "if I had known
what the senate was considering"
At the White House tonight the
president was in his study waiting
anxiously for news from the war