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Show APPAM DECISION HAS BEEN GUN Washington, March 2 The state department today sent to Count von Bernstorff, the German ambassador, its decision in the case of the British liner Appara, which was captured by a German raider and brought into Hampton Roads in charge of a prize crew. Announcement of the contents will be withheld at tho request of counsel for the German government, pending a decision in the libel action brought by agents of the original British owners in the federal court at Norfolk. Consequently the court will be allowed al-lowed to interpret the Prussian-American Prussian-American treaty, which is claimed by Germany to provide that a German prize may remain in American waters indefinitely, with immunity from legal le-gal proceedings instituted by the original owners in an attempt to regain re-gain possession of the ship. In awaiting an Interpretation of tho treaty by tho courts, the Btate department de-partment is acting in accordance with precedent. The executive branch of the government always has refrained from interfering with the judiciary in such cases. It is believed the case of the Ap-pam Ap-pam ultimately will reach the supreme su-preme court, no matter what may be the decision in the district court. Should the court decide, however, that lt has no jurisdiction In tho matter, mat-ter, the decision of the department may be made public immediately. The communication to the ambassador ambas-sador was in reply to a note sent by him to Secretary Lansing, protesting against the litigation and asking that the court be informe'd that under tho terms of the treaty such action was improper. The case of the Appam Is expected to come before the court in Norfolk tomorrow. oo |