Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-02-21

There was. therefore. no oppertuni-
ty or az occasion. as in the days OF the
Sussex trouble. for any negotiations TO
prevent the crisis or an attempt TO
staye of the coming break between
the two countries. There was no
chance this time for discussion with
the emperor, such as served 10 save
the day at the time of the Sussex
note.
Nothing could be done except 10 re
port TO Washington the developments
which appeared in the press of the
world before the embassy dispatches
had started from Berlin and await the
anticipated explosion.
This came in the shape of a rupture
of relations earlier than even Ameri-
cans had expected, and certainly with
a promptness which astonisked. and
perhaps even dismayed. the German
official world, prepared though it was
for energetic American action.
Aims at the Germans.
Just what results the German ex-
perts expect from the U-boat cam
paign is uncertain. but in CONVERSE
tons in German naval circles the be
lief was expressed that if il succeeded
in raising the amount Of tonnage sunk
per month to 100000 tons. besides
having a deterrent effect on 3OO0,000
tons of neutral shipping plying to Brit
ish ports, the campaign would effect its
object and force England to consider
peace.
This, il was stated. would have TO
be effected by not more than two
thirds of the available submarines.
since, owing to the nature
of the work and of the submarine.
the boats must spend at least third
of their time in port refitting and re-
pairing or on their way to and from
Me cruising grounds.
Misled by Dispatches.
The German governments attitude
in endeavoring to induce Ambassador
Gerard To sign protocol reaffirming
the old-time treaties with the United
States regarding mutual protection of
nationals in case of hostilities, and the
hints of possible detention of American
newspaper men as hostages, were IN
doubtedly Influenced by alarmist dis
patches from the United States regard
ing treatment of German citizens ana
property there.
As soon as reassuring advices were
received from the United States, ard
as soon, too as the German govern
ment saw that the attempt to negO-
tate protocol re-ratifying the treaty
of 1899 with additions and expansions.
had failed, it gracefully receded from
its position, and nothing further was
heard of newspaper men as hos
tages
The protocol. which Count Mont
gelas, head of the American depart
ment of the German foreign Office, sub
mitted to Ambassador Gerard on the
part of Forein Secretary Zimmerman
contained besides formal re-ra ,iflca-
ton of the treaty provisions of i799
and 1928 regarding mutual treatment
of nationals caught in belligerent
country in the case of war, number
of important additions and expansions
1t provided that merchants should
be allowed to continue their businesses
and retain their residences until the
end of the war unmolested that no
law affecting the validity of contracts
should be applied to Germans In Amer
lea or TO Americans in Germany. and
al 81 hn f.a.-
question of Importance in view of the
high value if not the indispensability
of certain German patents in the man
ufacture of munitions and explosives.
Would Bar Ship Seizure.
Quite as trenchant in its bearing on
the pending problems was the pro-
vision of an instrument which Ambas-
sador Gerard was asked to sign specl-
flying explicitly that not only enemy
property as such should be exempt
from seizure or restrictions in its use
beyond those applying TO all property
but that enemy ships in ports Of the
opponent should not be seized during
the war or forced to leave port unless
TO sail under safe-cOnduct and guar
anty of exemption from seizure by the
allied belligerents for a home port.
Provision also was made for safe.
conduct when ii was necessary 10
move ships from one port to another
in the same country.
The protocol forbade explicitly any
internment or restrictions upon the
liberty or movement of enemy nation
ais within the limits Of the opponent
country.
1t also provided for confirmation of
certain articles of the Hague cOnven-
tions, particularly as to treatment of
tire personnel of enemy merchant
ships captured or caught within an
opponent country.
Ambassador Gerard's refusal TO sign
the treaty after he had ceased to per-
form his ambassadorial functions or
to telegraph for instructions unless he
was permitted to use code led Count
Montgelas to hint that refusal to
sign the protocol might materially az
feet the status of Americans in Ger
many and the privilege of departure.
mentioned specifically. of the Ameri-
can correspondents whom Ambassador
Gerard desired TO take out with him
and whose fate apparently was thought
TO carry particular weight in American
public opinion.
The Americans in Berlin and, so far
nc L. Oh,