The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-03-27
WITH
BERLIN vOIO,
j. S. HINTS
Prussian Treaty Violat-
ed BY Germany,
Says Note
WILL NOT SIGN
NEW DOCUMENT
May Regard Original
Undertaking As
AbrOgated

WASHINGTON, March 27.-Prac.
tieslly accusing Germany OF regard
ing treaties as scraps OF paper. the
United States governments note re
eardins reconstruction OF the 1893
treaty informed Germany that fur.
Their engagements" would be use
less.
The note made public IN full
added that the government In
Feriously considering whether or not
Germany's fragrant violations" had
not abrogated the l7S5-l7ss and 1928
treaties.
After the reciting OF Germany's
violation of the treaties the note
adds
In view OF the clear violations OF
the plain terms OF the treaties In
question. solemnly included on the
mutual understanding that the OBJ
litigations Hereunder would be faith.
fully kept, in view further OF the dis
regard OF the cannons OF interna-
tional courtesy and the comfy OF
nations In the treatment OF limo
cent. American citizens in Germany.
the government u the United States
cannot perceive any advantage
which would how from further en-
gsgements, even tto they were
merely declaratory Of international
law entered into With the imperial
German government in regard to
The meaning OF any OF the articles
Of these trpaties, or as supplement-
AIRY TO them. In these circumstances
therefore. the government OF the
United States declines 10 enter the
special protocol proposed by the I'm.
pertai government"
In conclusion the note says
1T would appear that the mutual.
ity OF ihs undertakings (the
treaties). has been DESTROYED by the
conduct OF the Ger AN authorities.
While the note indicated seSious
consideration Of abrogauon OF the
treaties. the state department indi-
Gated that It probably will be un-
able to act without the senate on
that subject.
The note said further.
Since the. sinking % the Amer.
lean steamer VIM p. Frye, for the
carriage OF contrabdnd. there have
been perpetrated By the German
naval forces similar unwarranted At.
lacks upon and destruction of mum
erous American vessels for the rea.
Fon. a. alleged, that they were en-.
gagged in transportation OF articles
OF contraband. Notwithstanding and
In this disregard. OF Article 10 VI the
treaty Of 1889"
In addition to the sinking OF
American vessels, foreign merchant
vessels carrying American citizens
end American property have been
sunk by German submarines with
out warning and without any ade-
cuate security for the safety OF the
persons on board or compensation
for the destruction ~ property BY
such action. Notwithstanding the sol
tmn engagement OF article Is OF the
treaty OF 1899.
Moreover. since tSe severance Of
relations between Tho
United States and Germany certain
American citizens in Germany have
ceen prevented from removing free
~ from the country. While this is
not a violation OF the terms Of tho
treaties mentioned. II is a disre gard
OF the reciprocal liberty Of inter
course between the two countries in
time Of peace and cannot be taken
otherwise than "a an indication ~
purpose on the part OF tho German
government 10 disregard In the
event OF war the similar liberty Of
action provided for IN article q Of
the treaty OF l799--the very article
which II ia nov proposed to inter
pfet and supplement almost Wholly
in the interest OF the large number
OF German subjects residing lr the