Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-09-30
j. S. WINS NEW
RIGHTS ON SEA
Germany Prohibits Destruction
Of Yankee Ships.
SAFETY FOR PASSENGERS
viii Not Sink Vessels Even If Loaded
Witt Conditional Contraband-
American Suggestion in Frye
Case Is Accepted.
SAFETY FOR PASSENGERS
25.-Germany's

Washington, Sept. 25.-Germany's
latest note on the sinking Of the Amer
lean sailing ship William P. Frye, pub
Hshed by the state department on
Thursday, discloses an important dip
Iomatic victory for the United States.
Germany accepts the proposal to fix
damages by commission and to let
The Hague pass upon disputed treaty
rights involved. She also gives assur-
ances that no more American ships
carrying conditional cOntraband will
be destroyed under any circum-
stances.
One thing seemed to officials certain
German naval commanders now are
ordered to exercise the rights of visit
and search with respect to all Ameri-
can ships to determine what cargo the
vessels carry, thus making it prac-
ticaIIy sure that none will be attacked
without warning or ample time for
passengers and crew to be transferred
irrespective Of the cargo.
The note follows in part:
With regard first to the ascertain
German government believes that it
should dispense with the nomination
of an umpire. Assuming that the
American government agrees to this,
the German government names as its
expert Doctor Kepny of Bremen, di-
rector of the North German Lloyd; it
begs to await the designation of the
American expert.
THE German government declares
that it agrees to the proposal of the
American government to separate the
question of indemnity from the Ques-
ton Of the Interpretation of the Prus-
sian-American treaties of 1885, 1893
and 1928.
1T therefore again expressly states
that in making payment it does not
acknowledge the violation of the treaty
as contended by the American side,
but it will admit that the settlement
of the question of indemnity does not
prejudice the arrangement of the diff
ferences of opinion concerning the in
depreciation of the treaty rights, and
that this dispute is left to be decided
by The Hague tribunal of arbi-
tration.
The negotiations relative to the
signing of the compromise provided by
article SO of The Hague arbitration
convention would best be conducted
between the foreign office and the
American embassy at Berlin, in view
of the difficulties in the way of in
structing the imperial ambassador at
Washington.
From the standpoint of law and
equity it Cthe German government is
not prevented, in its opinion, from
proceeding against American ships
carrying contraband, according to its
Interpretation, until the question is
settled by arbitration.
For the German government does
not need to depart from the applica
ton of generally recognized rules OF
the law of maritime war, as the Dec
laratiOn of London. unless and in SO
far as an exception based on a treaty
is established beyond a doubt. In the
case of the present difference of opin
ion between the German and American
governments such an exception could
not be taken to be established except
on the ground of the arbitral
award
Nevertheless the German govern
ment, in order 20 furnish to the Amer
lean government evidence of its con
ciliatory attitude, has issued orders to
the German naval forces not to de
stroy American merchantmen which
have loaded conditional contraband
even when the conditions of fnterna
tional law are present. but to permit
them to continue their voyage unhin
dered if it is not possible to take them
into port"