The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-02-09

Of Relations Does Not Effect
Status Of Germans
In America. and Private Property
Is Safe-WarS Have Followed
Breaks With Great Powers.

Washington, Feb 3.-Breaking on
diplomatic relations with Germany
does not mean war. but easily may
lead to war. It is an act OF protest
characterized in the usage Of nations
as a measure "short Of war"
The danger that war may follow is
accentuated by the diplomatic his.
tory OF the world. Modern times
show no instances OF a diplomatic
break between two first class powers
that has not been followed by hos
tilities.
The rights of Germans in the Uni
ted States. and of Americans In Ger
many. are practically unaffected by
the severance of diplomatic relations.
No treaties are terminated or sus-
pended but remain in full force and
effect unless eithre goYrnment later
decides to denounc them which, un-
der international practice, generally
calls for notice OF one year.
German consuls in the United
States and American consuls in Ger
many holding their places by virtue
of treaties continue to perform their
usual functions. but they no longer
work under supervision Of diploma
tic officers.
There is on change in commercial
relations. already badly crippled by
the war. Individuals and corpora.
tions may continue their usual affairs
provided they do not deal in contra
band and their obligations are as
binding as ever.
The courts still remain open to
them for redress, but they have to
facility for direct Intervention oft heir
officials. They may, how
ever, be represented by the diplomats
Of the friendy power selected to care |
for the interests Of the respective |
governments.
Private Property Safe
There should be no sequstration or
of private property eth
er in the United States or Germany,
although it may be taken for use un-
Ter certain circumstances.
The ninety-fYe or more German
merchant ships tied up in American
ports since the beginning of the war
nay be used by the United States,
out the German owners ultimately
must be recompensed.
The ships, scattered in the ports Of
United States, Porto Rico
Ind the Pacific island possessions in
,luding the PHILIPPINES. comprise
ome of the best known ocean liners
md aggregate 62S.837 gross tons.
Only in case Of war is there possi-
,ility OF their being absolutely conis-
.ated and even then such action is
Ioubeful, for the United States In the
world court Of nations, has been the
eading exponent of the inviolability
f private property.
Nails will continue to move under
he Geneva convention and other ex-
sting special conventions. There
hould be no restriction on the free
movement of travellers between the
wo countries other than the fxed pol
cy. 1
Passports to be Few {
The United States is to issue no
assports to Americans wishing to
isit the war zone unless they have
ressing business there.
In fact, as far as individuals are
oncerned, the status remains practi- /
ally unchanged by break in diDlo-
latic relations. Upon the conduct
( Americans in Germany and the
onduct Of Germans and German
in the United States de- /
ends the attitude OF the respective
regarding them. y
There is, however, one relation be- /
Veen the United States and Germany /
'hich ceases through diplomatic rup- |
Ire. 1t is the humanitarian task Of t
harding the welfare of soldiers in
FN@nRfms1AA nn N@urEh Ha1al I