The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-02
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS MAY
ORDER MORSES RETENTION AS
HE REACHES EUROPEAN SHORE
New York Shipbuilder to Have
Transactions Investigated
by Grand Jury.
(Ry The Assoelated Pressl

WASHINGTON. Dec. Aroused by
the departure of Charles w. Morse.
New York shipbuilder, from the coun-
try just as the government is about
to place before federal grand jury
its investigations of his transactions
with the shipping board. officials of
various departments are considering
tonight what means may be taken to
bring him back to the United States.
1t is hoped, department Of justice
officials said. that word can be sent to
the French government in time to per-
NIT Morse's detention at Havre tomor-
row morning, when, according to latest
advices. the French steamship Paris
on which he sailed from New York, is
due to dock.
Early in the day the justice depart
ment called on the navy department to
send a destroyer to meet the vessel
outside of Havre and take Morse off
the ship. No such order was issued
by the navy department, however, and
officials declared later they were with
out authority to act in that manner
Tonight a plan TO cancel the pass
port issued by 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 United
States, refuse TO permit him to land
His return to the United States on
the Paris probably would result
Meanwhile. Erwin Al and Harry r.
Morse. sons Of Charles w Morse,
through their attorney Wilton J. Lam
bert, issued a statement here tonight
declaring that their father had sailed
on the Parish under passport issued
to him in his own name and without
knowledge of the governments intend
ed 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 advice of his
physician that he would have to un-
dergo an operation if he desired to save
his life" the statement said, adding
that he would return whenever his
presence was desired and when he is
in physical condition to do so"
Justice department officials declared
that nothing was known of Morse's de-
parture until it was reported from New
York last night. Morse was granted
a passport several months ago. state
department officials said, and this
passport presumab bly, was good at the
time Of his sailing. No passport is
necessary for a citizen Of this country
to leave the United States. it was ex-
planned, but the state department is
sues them as the most convenient proof
of American citizenship, which is re-
quired for admission TO virtually all
foreign countries.
High government officials were not
inclined to discuss the effort being
made to effect the return of Morse to
this country. Secretary Hughes con-
ferred with Ambassador Jusserand of
France at the state department but it
was not disclosed whether the subject
of Morses departure on the Paris,
which. under international law, is
French territory, was under discussion,
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 for
eign ship if he had been asked to
do so.
Beyond declaring that the govern
ment would make every legitimate eff
fort to bring Morse back to the United
States, neither Elmer Schlesinger,
general counsel of the shipping board,
not Fletcher Dobyns, special assistant
in charge of the case would. discuss it.