Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-15
FIELD IS BARREDTO
GERMAN AGENTS
President Prohibits Their Doing
Further Business in Marine or
War Risk Insurance.
MAY BE ONE SOURCE OF LEAK
Proclamation Stops Sending of
Information Gained Through
This Business Channel.

WASHINGTON. July 14-president
Wilson to-day. by executive proclama-
ton. stopped leaks of marine intor-
nation to Germany through the Ger
agencies that have been doing bust
ness here Since the war began He
forbids these agencies to do any fur
Their marine insurance or reinsurance
business in the United States. He for
bids other companies reinsuring risks
with the German agents. And he for
bids all persons doing business with
insurance companies that do reinsur-
ance with the Germans.
Ten days ago information was re-
ceived showing how a certain German
insurance agent was able to tell an
anxious American father of the ship
his son sailed on in the PershinE OK
petition, of the ships destination and
even of her equipment The same man
was shown to have had knowledge of
the sailing, cargo and destination Of
the liner Manchuria and other vessels
carrying important war shipments
IMPORTANT TO KEEP
IMPORTATION FROM ENEMY
This information was placed in the
hands of government officials. and at
that time assurance was given that
this field would be barred to German
agents. The proclamation Of the Pres
ident says:
Whereas, the nature Of marine and
war risk insurance is such that those
conducting 1t must Of necessity be in
touch with the movements of ships and
cargoes. and it has been considered by
the government of great Importance
that this information should not be
obtained by allen enemies:
Now. therefore. I. Woodrow Wilson,
President of the United States of Amer
lea. by virtue of the powers vested in
me as such. hereby declare and pro-
claim that such branch establishments
Of insurance companies now engaged
In the transaction of business in the
united States pursuant to tho laws
OF the several States, are hereby pro-
hioited from continuing the transaction
OF the business OF marine and war risk
either as direct insurers or reinsurers.
and all individuals. firms and insurance
companies Incorporated under the laws
OF any of the States or Territories of
the United States. or OF any foreign
country. are hereby prohibited from
reinsurinE with companies incorporated
under the laws of the German empire.
no matter where located. and all per-
sons in the United States are prohibit
ed from insuring against marine or
war risks with insurance companies
Incorporated under the laws of the
German empire or with individuals,
firms and insurance companies incor.
porated under the laws of any OF the
states or Territories of the United
States or OF any foreign country, which
reinsures business originating in
the United States with companies in
corporated under the laws of the Ger
man empire. no matter where located"
APPLIES TO EXISTING
CONTRACTS Of INSURANCE.
The proclamation continues to make
clear that 1t applies even to existing
contracts of insurance, except SO far
rs insurance shall have been earned.
Policies in which German agencies
have interest If for voyage, may con-
tinue to the end OF the, voyage, and il
for term will hold for thirty DAYS.
or until the completion OF any voyage
in which the risk may then be engaged.
1t provides for the payment Of earned
premiums and other details.
To assure that mono of the lnrre
funds in the hands Of these German
companies will be used against the
United States. tho proclamation pro-
Vides that all funds in the hands of
their agents here must be kept within
the United States and cannot be used
as basis for credit to any enemy or
the United States. All Of those funds
are placed under the supervision OF
the State insurance departments OF the
States In which the companies havo
their principal United States Offices
Definite assurance was given, however
at the war risk insurance department
that plenty Of capital. government and
private. American and allied, was avail.
able to carry on the whole bulk of ths
marine insurance business now being
done here