The evening world., 1917-02-17
TEXT Of TREATY
WHICH GERARD
REFUSED TO SIGN
Washington Makes Public
Document Later Delivered
Through Swiss Minister.
WILL TAKE NO ACTION.
One of Germany's Objects
Was to Get Back the In
termed Merchant Steamships.


state Department to-day published
the English text OF communlca-
tlon submitted by tho Swiss Minister,
Dr. Paul Ritter, as Germany's repre-
sentative here, in which are contained
the changes tho Kalser's Government
wanted made In tho old Prussian
treaty OF 1899, and which Ambassador
Gerard refused to sign, saying he
would remain in Berlin until King
dom Come before slgning II. II was
in relation 10 this document that
threat was made to hold American
correspondents as hos
tages.
Omclals here have pointed out that
while Gcrmany's violation OF several
provisions Of tho treaty may be taken
by this country to have vitlnted tho
convention. the Unltod States will still
continue to live up 10 its spirit Two
proclamations have already gunran-
toed that German ships or private
German property Will not, even In
case Of war. bo seized and used by
this Government.
Little interest Is shown by tho state
Department officials in tho German
proposal There is no lndicauCn that
any immediate action will be taken.
Tho text Of the German proposal
forwarded through the Swiss Govern
mcnt follows:
"Thc American treaty OF friendship
and commerce Of the eleventh Of July,
1929, provides by Article % for the
treatment OF the subjects or citizens
Of the two states and their property
in the event OF war between the two
states. This article, which In without
question In full force as regards the
relations between the German Empire
and the United States. requires Ger
tain explanations and additions on ac-
count of the development OF intcrna-
tlonal law. The German Government.
therefore. proposes that a special ar
rangcment be now signed OF which
the English text Is AS follows:
Agreement between Germany and
the United States OF America con-
cerning the treatment OF each others
citizens and their private property
after the severance Of diplomatic re-
lations.
Article One--After the severance
Of diplomatic relations between Ger
many and the United states OF
America, and in the event Of tho out
break OF war between the two powers,
the citizens OF either party and their
private property in the territory OF
the other party shall be trcntcd ac-
cordIng to Article 20 of the treaty OF
amlty and commerce between Prussia
and the United States of the eleventh
Of July, 1899. with the following eX-
planatory and supplementary clauses:
Article Two--German merchants in
the United states and American mor-
chants in Germany shall, so far as
the treatment OF their persons and
property Is concerned, be held In
every respect on "a par with the
other persons mentioned IN Article
%. They shall. accordingly, even
after the period provided for in Ar
ticlo % has elapsed. he entitled to
remain and continue their profession
in tho country OF their residence.
Merchants as well as tho other per-
sons mentioned In Article % may bo
excluded from fortified places or other
places OF military importance
Article Three--Germans in tho
United States and Americans in Ger
many shall be free 10 leave the coun-
try OF their residence within the time
and by the routes that shall be as
surcd to them by the proper authori-
ties. The persons departing shall be
entitled TO take along their personal
property. including money valuables
and bank accounts, excepting such
property tho expectation OF which Is
prohibited according 10 general pro-
visions.
Article Four--Thc protection OF
Germans in tho United States and OF
Americans On Gcl many and OF theiI
1 property shall b" guaranteed In aC-
cordance with the laws existing IN
lnC countries OF tltntT party. lntN
shall be under no other rCstrlC tiuus
concerning the enjoyment OF THEN
| private rights and the judicial en-
forcement OF their rights than neutral
| residents. They may accordingly not
! be transferred to concentration
! camps nor shall their private prop
Crty be subject to seQuestrNtlon OF
liquidation or other compulsory alien
alton except in cases that under thC
existing laws apply also TO ncutrals
Az a general rule German property
IN the United states and American
property in Germany shall not b
subject TO scqucstration or liquida
tion or other compulsory alienation
under other conditions than neutra
property.
Article Five Patent rights or othe
protected rights held by Germans n
tho United Statos or Americans II
Germany shall not be declared void
nor shall tho exercise of such right
be- impcded nor shall such rights b
transferred TO others without the con
sent Of the person entitled thereto
provided that regulations made eN
Clusivcly in tho interests of the state
aa, y apply.
Article Sir Contracts made be
tween Germans and Americans, eithe
before or after the severance OF dir
lomatlC relations, also Obligations ,
an kinds between Germans and Amei