Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-02
Want Morse Back
Continued from Pass ons)

the vessel outside Of Havre and take
Morse of the ship. No such order
was issued by the navy department,
however, and officials declared later
they were without authority to act
in that manner. Il
Tonight a plan to cancel the pass
port issued to Mr.. Morse was under
consideration. The effect Of such ac-
ton, it is understood, probably would
be that the French government might
under representations from the Unit
ed States refuse to permit him to
land. His return to the United States
on the Paris probably would result. !
Meanwhile. Erwin A. and Harry F..
Morse, sons Of Charles W.. Morse,
through their attorney. Wilton J..
Lambert, issued statement here to-
night declaring their father had sail
ed on the Paris under a passport is
sued to him in his own name and
without knowledge Of the govern
ment's intended action before the
grand jury. It was their belief, the
statement said, that the government
knew Morse had sailed before this
contemplated action became known.
Morse sailed under the advice of
his physician "that he would have to
undergo an operation il he desired
to save his life," the statement said,
adding that he would return when
ever his presence was desired, and
when he is in physical condition to
do so.''
Justice department officials declar-
ed nothing was known Of Mr.. Morse's
departure until it was reported from
New York last night. = Morse was
granted a passport several months
ago, state department. officials said.
and this passport presumably was
good at the time of his sailing. No
pc ssport is necocsarv for a citize' -
this country to leave the United
States. it was explained. but the
state department issues them as the
! most convenient proof of American
citizenship which is r"~"ired for ad-
mission to virtually all foreign coun-
| tries.
| High government officials were not
inclined to discuss the efforts being
made to effect the return of Morse tc
this country. Secretary Hughes con-
ferred with Ambassador Jusserand OF
France at the state department. but it
was not disclosed whether the sub
ject OF Morse's departure on the Paris,
which under international law is
French territory was under. discus
sion.
Secretary DENLY said he had not
been requested to furnish a destroyer
to take Morse off the Paris and that
he could not have taken him off a
foreign ship If he had been asked to
do so.
Beyond declaring that the govern
ment would take every legitimate ef-
fort to bring Morse back to the Unit
J ed States, neither Elmer Schlesinger,
gneral counsel of the shipping board.
nor Fletcher Dobyns. special assist
ant in charge of the chase, would dis
cuss 1t.
Attorney General Daugherty and
other high justice department Off
Gals declined to discuss the case, but
it was learned that the department
was considering every possible meth
cd by which Morse could be brought
back. The laws of France were he
ing studied. it was said. to see how
. under the French code that govern
ment could be asked to detail him at
Havre. Also it was understood that
radios had been sent to the cap
tain Of the Paris advising him that
Morse was wanted by this govern
ment. AS vet officials said no PRO
ceedings against Morse have been
begun before the grand jury.