The Washington herald., 1917-02-09

the slnkings up to date had not fur
next step threatened by the President.
Detention Causes Concern.
Concern as to the situation Of Am
bassador Gerard and his fellow hmeri-
cans in Germany followed the receipt
of information at the State Depart
ment that the Americans had been ~ie-
tanned" While they were not held as
hostages" IT was apparent that the
department felt that serious conse-
quenoes might grow out of the situa-
tion, and hurried conference, Of State
Department officials resulted in i'm
mediate diplomatic action, which wa,
not made public
No Indignity offered.
It was understood that reports in Ger
many Of mistreatment OF German subjects
in the United States, and OF the forcible
seizure OF German wsr-bound ships by
the United States government had some
1 thing TO do with the detention of the
Americans. State Department oficisls
declared last night that they feit the
Situation would be cleared Up without
difficulty. They were emphatic n the
: declaration that no indignity had been
offered Ambassador Gerard or any other
American in Germany.
| After President Wilson made an uneI-
/ pected visit TO the State, War and Navy
! Building yesterday and conferred with
Secretaries Lansing, Baker and Daniels,
an authorized statement direct from the
President, reassuring German subjects In
this country as 10 the protection OF their
d A. Hgsw H. -
ment. The ominous declaration In the
statement that German subjects would be
I protected IN a state of war" was looked
I upon as deeply significant
The statement, which followed the de-
: termination OF the President TO adhere
! TO an ancient treaty with Prussia protect
: ing citizens OF both nations in their prop
/ erty rights for at least nine months after
! an outbreak OF war between the two coun-
{ tries, read:
1T having been reported TO him that
. there is anxiety in some quarters on the
/ part of persons residing in this country
/ who are the subjects OF foreign states
J lest their bank deposits or other prop
: erty should be seized in the event Of war
between the United States and a for
( eiEn nation. the President authorizes the
statement that all such fears are entire
/ IL unfounded. The government OF the
United States will under no circum-
stances take advantage OF q state Of war
! to take possession OF property 70 which
| international understandings and the
! recognized law of the land give II no
| Just claim or title. 1t will scrupulously
respect all private rights alike OF its own
! citizens and OF the subjects Of foreign
! states"
Would Reassure Germany.
| 1t was understood last night that an
effort would be msde TO get this state
ment and the disclaimer of any inten-
/ ion to seize the wsrbound German ships
/ m American ports, issued by Secretary
OF War Baker. to the German govern
mcnt These statements. Il was said
I would demonstrate the determination OF
I this government to go TO any lengths 10
( avoid any action which could give ofIenss
Z TO Germany.
The State Department yesterday an
nounced the arrival OF assurances from
! France. on behalf Of all the entente al
/ lies guaranteeing the safe conduct OF
I Ambassador Won Bernstorf and his stan
/ back to Germany. The Ambassador with
4 his staff and the German consuls in the
! United States expect to leave next Tues
day on the Scandinsvian-American liner
/ Frederick VIII. An effort will be made
/ to have Halifax. n. s., made the port OF
search for the ship rather than Kirk
wall, England.
100000 for Relief.
Another indication Of the administrs-
! tons concern as to Americans In Ger
many came in a demand by Secretary
Lansing for an appropriation OF SOC 600
/ for the relief OF American citizens
abroad. The letter to Congress asking
/ for the funds pointed out that the money
was needed immediately, ''in view OF the
| important developments In the interna-
tionsl relations Of the United States with
| in the past few days"
In line with the determined policy TO
L avoid all possible means OF anront to
Germany. the Federal departments yes
( terday declined TO make any plans for
! the physical protection OF American ves-
! sells sailing for the submarine rome.
4 Continued applications for conveys OF ma
val vessels to protect passenger ana
Z freight vessels met with the response &C
corded the American lane that the gov
ernment cannot give advice as to ssilings
! and that American vessels have the right
3 TO take any measures to prevent or re-
sist unlawful attacks"
Il The administration realizes, n was
stated, that the delay IN American SAIL
ings has practically the effect of making
/ good the German blockade threat, but
It was stated that II would be insdvissble
20 dcsagb naval vessels tr fo-t,, corva,-x