The SMS Moltke visited the USA in 1912, and that got me thinking about an interesting dilema. Suppose one of the Kaiser's Large Cruisers was visiting the USA in 1914--I'll assume it's Moltke. With the possibility of war, she's ordered homoe--or would be, except that a collision means she's being repaired in a New York drydock. Repiars are completed just as war is declared--but lurking just off of New York are 2 British 13.5" gunned battlecruisers, well known by everyone on both sides to be vastly superior, even individually, to the German ship. (The perception of the people involved are what will determine what axctions get taken, regardless of the actual explosiveness of the British ships) Trying to sail home would be suicide, pure and simple. Just to ensure that they can't escape, a few pre-dreadnoughts show up. Once there, the Cats can rotate to a British port, leaving one Cat and a pair of predreadnoughts available at all times.
The German has to leave or be interned--what does he do? Or does the Kaiser try to sell the ship to the Americans before the laws require internment? Or what other options are there? With the build-up to war, the Germans have had time to work out contingency plans depending on the ship's condition. What diplomatic efforts can be taken by the various parties>
Here's the relevant treaty:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hague13.asp
The German has to leave or be interned--what does he do? Or does the Kaiser try to sell the ship to the Americans before the laws require internment? Or what other options are there? With the build-up to war, the Germans have had time to work out contingency plans depending on the ship's condition. What diplomatic efforts can be taken by the various parties>
Here's the relevant treaty:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hague13.asp