Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-28
GERMAN SHIPS HERE
WILL NOT BE SEIZED
m WAR IS DECLARED
Experts Declare u. S. Will
Have TO Keep Hands OF
or Break Treaty
of 1923
VESSELS WOULD ESCAPE
British Naval Patrol Could Capture
and Sink Only a Few
Merchantmen

What would be the fate Of the Ger
man steamships Prinz osksr and Rhsetla
AZ this port and the so 100000 worth Of
similar craft lying In various ports OF
this country should the United States
and Germany 90 10 war;
That has been a much mooted ques
tion. II has been discussed milliong OF
times. The conclusion generally reached
has been that Uncle Sam would reach
out his hand and seize them. TO be con-
verted into auSlliarics under the stare
and Stripes.
Some German sympathizers have de-
ciafcd that IN event OF n break between
the two nations the officers OF the In
termed ships would scuttle them and lire
parably damage the machinery. Some
OF the officers even confirmed these state
ments.
sinking OF vessels, Il has been sald
would not be possible. should America
mako the war declaration as marines
would be sent 10 seize the craft before
the German officers know there was a
break.
All arguments along these lines have
been for naught, according 90 internation-
al law experts. Germany could do eX-
actly what she would choose to do with
the shlpa u war was declared until nine
his chance The vessels could be taken
out OF port and sunk n the owners de-
cidcd 10 do so. unless the United States
decided that n treaty was only a 'stfap
Of paper"
TREATY OF 1928.
In the treaty OF 1928 with Prussia. which
both the United states and Prussia
agreed to. the following clause IL found:
III war should arise between the two
aN.. a.
either country then residing in the other
shall be allowed 20 remain nine months
10 collect their debts and settle their
affairs. and may depart freely. carrying
on all their effects without molestation
or hindrance; and all women and chill
drcn scholars OF every faculty. Guilt
vators OF the earth. artisans. manufac-
turers and fishermen, unnrmed and in
habiting unfortlhed towns, villages ar
places and In general all others whose
occupations are for the common sub
sistence and benefit of mankind shall be
allowed TO continue their respective en-
pigments, and shall not be molested in
their Iefsons. nor shall their houses or
goods be burned or otherwise destroyed.
nor their fields wasted by the armed
forces OF the enemy into whose power
by the events Of war they may happen
TO fall; but II anything Is n 'cessary to
be taken from them for tho Use OF such
armed force, the same shall be paid for
at reasonable price"
EXPERTS VIEWS.
Some international law experts now he
,lieve that this article would prevent any
wholesale seizure of the vessels until nine
months had passed. In the meantime, the
owners OF the vessels could do with them
whht they wished concerted dash
could be made for other neutral ports.
The British Government is evidently
familiar with the treaty. as an Increase In
the fleet patroling the American coast
took place Immediately following the
sinking of the Arabic. Tho reinforce
ments. however, would not be sufficient
TO prevent many of the vessels from
escaping in case of a combined dash to
sea