New-York tribune., 1921-12-02
Steps Taken to See Ship
ping Magnate Will Be
Brought Back to Face
Inquiry ON His Contracts
U. 5. Passport Put
Him Aboard aris
Sons Declare Father Left
for His Health and Will
Return if He Is Wanted
From, The Tribune, washiuoton .ur.o


WASHINGTON, Dec 1.-Charles w.
Morse, New York tinancier, steamship
operator and shipbuilder, whose depar-
ture for Europe on the French liner
Paris became known soon after the an
nouncement that the government would
seek an Indictment against him here
next week, will be refused admission
to France on the ground that he is an
undesirable citizen, it was indicated
here officially to-day.
Responsible French officials here
have been informed that the return of
Morse to the United States is desired
by this government, and it is under
stood that the French authorities at
Havre, where the Paris is to dock. will
refuse to admit the New York pas
senger.
Morse's term in the Federal peniten-
tiary at Atlanta, officials pointed out.
may be interpreted by the French gov
ernment as classifying him as an unde
sirable alien, and the refusal to let him
enter the port of Havre may be based
on this ground.
The departure of Morse for Europe
caused three departments of the Fed
eral government to move to-day in the
direction of his ultimate return to this
country and possible prosecution for
alleged fraudulent actions growing out
of his war contracts with the Shippinp
Board to build ships.
The Department of Justice an
nounced carly to-day that the Navv
Department would be asked to send
an American destroyer to intercept the
French liner and remove Morse. it was
ment, however, that such request had
been made.
Secretary of the Navy Denby said
that if request had been made il
would be refused on the ground that
no authority existed for an American
warshlp to intercept any ship of for
eign nation on the high seas for any
purpose except in time of war
While declining to discuss the meth
DDS pursued by the Shipping Board to
bring about Morse's return, Elmer
Schlessinger, general counsel for the
board, who, with Fletcher Dobyns, has
been working up the evidence against
the shipbulder, made the significant
statement that "thc government will
make every fitting effort to get Mr..
Morse back"
Complete information on Morse's
prison record is understood to have
been given to Jules Jusserand, the
French Ambassador, who conferred
with Secretary of State Hughes to-day.
1T was not made known, however, that
the specific request was made of the
French Ambassador to ask his govern
ment to decline to admit Morse to
French soil
Morse was granted an American pass
port several months ago to travel in
Europe for his health. Under State
Department regulations passports con-
tinue in effect for year from the date
Of issuance, and it is assumed this
permit was used by Morse in booking
passage on the Paris.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Erwin A.
and Harry f. Morse, sons of Charles w.
Morse, the shipping magnate, through
their attorney, Wilton j. Lambert, is
sued statement here tonight confirm
ing the report that their father had
sailed on the Paris from New York last
Friday. They insisted that Mr.. Morse
sailed under passport issued to him
in his own name and without the
knowledge of the governments in
tended action before the grand jury.
1t was their belief, the statement read,
that the government authorities knew
their father had sailed before this con-
templated action became known.
The sons added that Morse sailed
under the advice of his physician, and
said that he would have to undergo an
operation if he desired to save his life.
The statement went on to say that he
would return whenever his presence
was desired land when he is in physical
condition to do So" The financier, one
of the sons said, had been examined
three weeks ago at the Naval Hos
pital.
His Third Trip Abroad
The statement of Morse's sons in
explanation of their fathers action
reads in part:
"Attention has been called to articles
appearing in the daily press the
tendency Of which is to give the i'm
preston that Mr.. Morse has surrepti-
tiously and in disguise sailed from the
United States to avoid some proposed
grand jury investigation. The truth
is that he sailed on the Paris on Fri
day Of last week, under a passport is
sued to him in his own name and vised
by government officials at the pier,
Continued page seven}