ARMED MERCHANTMEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2600, 23 October 1915, Page 13

ARMED MERCHANTMEN

AMERICAN OFFICIAL RULES

Some considerable doubt having existed in tho minds of tho owners of British merchant vessels and of those commanding them as regards such ships using defensive armaments when trading to United States port's, the Imperial Merchant Service Guild, with a view to clearing up any misapprehension, declare themselves in a position to publish tho rules in existence for the guidance of the officers of the American Government who are charged with the duty of determining the peaceful character of particular aimed vessels. Theso rules are as follow: — A) A morchant vessel of belligerent nationality may carry armament and ammunition for tho solo purpose of defeuco without acquiring the eliaracter of a ship-of-war. (B) Tho presence of armament and ammunition on board a merchant vessoi creates a presumption that tho armauent is for offensive purposes, but the owners or agents may overcome this presumption by evidence showing that the vessel carries armament solely for defence.

(C) Evidence necessary to establish the fact that the armament is solely for defence and will'not bo used'offensively. whether the armament be mounted or stowed below, must be presented in each independently at an official investigation. The result of the investigation must .show conclusively that tho armament is not intended for, and will not be used in, offensive operations. Indications that the armament' will not be used offensively are: _ (1) That the calibre of the guns carried does not exceed six inches. (2) 'That the guns and small arms carried are few m number. (3) That no guns are mounted on tho forward part of the vessel. (4) That tho quantity of ammunition carried is small. (5) That the vessel is manned by its usual crew, and the officers are the same as those on board before the war was declared.

(C) That the vessel intends to and actually does clear for a port lying in its usual trade route, or a port indicating its purpose to continue in tlie aamo trade in which it was engaged before the war was declared. (7) That the vessel takes on board fuel and supplies sufficient only to carry it to its port of destination or the same quantity substantially which it has been accustomed to take for a voyage before war was declared. _ (8) That the cargo of the vessel consists of articles of commerce unsuited to tho use of a ship-of-war in operations against an enemy. (9) That the vessel carries passengers who are as a whole unfitted to onter tho military or naval service of tho belligerent whose flag the vessel flies, or of any of its Allies, and particularly if the passenger list includes women and children. (10) That the speed of the ship is slow.,

(D) Port authorities, on the arrival in a port of the United States of an armed vessel of belligerent nationality claiming to be a morchant vessel, should immediately investigate and report to Washington on the foregoing indications as to the intended use of the armament in order that it may be determined whether tlj'e evidence is sufficient to remove the presumption that the vessel is, and should be treated as, a sliip-of-war. Clearance will not be granted until authorised from Washington, and tho Master -will be so informed upon arrival. (E) Tho conversion of « morchant vessel into a ship-of-war i® a question of fact, which is to be established diy direct or circumstantial evidence of intention to use the vessel as a ship-of-war.