Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-02-04
HOW DIPLOMATIC
RELATIONS BREAK
Action Doesn't in Self Mean
War, But May Easily Lead
to That Result.
FORMER BREAKS DESCRIBED
In Past it Usually Has Been n
Large Nation Cutting Away
From a Small One.
FORMER BREAKS DESCRIBED

WASlllNGTON. Feb. breaking
Oft diplomatic relations with Germany
does not mean war. but easily lead
10 war II Is an act Of protest chlrac-
tcriled iu the usage Of nations a3 a
"measure short Of war"
The danger that war may follow Is
!. aCCcntuatcd by the diplomatic history
of the world. Modern times show no
II stance Of diplomatic break be-
tween two first class powers that had
not been followed by hostiities The
rights ot Germans In the United states
ana Of Americans in Germany are
practically unaffected hy tho sever.
9rce of diplomatic relations No
treaties are terminated or suspended,
but remain in FUN force ana effect
unless the government decides later
tc dcnouuce them, which. under In
teruatioual practice. generally calls
fur notice cf one year. German con
suls IN tn" United States and Amer
lean cOnsuis in Germany holding
their places by virtue OF treaties con
tinuc to perform their usual functions.
but they n" longer work under super
vision Of diplomatic officers. There
is no change In commercial relations,
already badly crippled by the war
Individuals and corporations may con-
tinue their usual affairs. provided
they do not deal i'm coutrabpnd and
fcir ohlcatiCns are as binding as
ever. Courts remain open to them
for rCdrcss. but they have no facili-
ties for direct Intervention If their
diplomatic officials. They may how
ever. be represented by the diplomats
OF the friendly powers to care for the
Interests of the respective govern
nCnts.
MAY Grab Property
There should he no sequcstration or
coEfIso alton of private property. either
ia the United states or Germany
altho II may be taken for use under
certain circumstances
The 30 or more German merchant
ships tied up in the United States
since the beginning Of the war. may
be used by the United States bIt theii
German owners ultimately mus. be
compensated. The ships. scattered in
the ports Of continental United States
Porto Rico and the Pacific island
possessions including the Philippines
comprise some of the best knows
ocean liners and aggregate G2S,S2
gross tons.
What War Means.
only IN case of war is there pos
slhilitv Of their being absolutely con-
tiscated and even then such an action
Is NOuhlIul, LOT tne l lllttu states, III
the world court of nations. has beer
the leading exponent of the inviola-
Dlllty Of private property.
Mails viii continue to move under
the Geneva convention and other es-
listing peaceful conventions. There
should he no restrictions upon the
free movement of travellers between
the two countries other than the fixed
policy Of the United States to issue
no passports 10 Americans wishing to
visit the war zone unless they have
pressing business there.
In fact. 60 far as individuals are
"c""erncd. their status remains prac-
tically unchanged 10y a break in diplo-
matte relations
Upon the conduct of Americans in
Germany and the conduct Of Germans
and German sympathi2ers in the
United States depends the attitude Of
the respective governments regard
ing them.
One Big Change.
There Is, however. one relation be-
tween the United States and Germany
which ceases thru diplomatic rupture.
1t is the humanitarian task of guard
ing the welfare of soldiers in the
prison camps of their enemies and
the care of German civilians interned
in the entente countries. This vast
task. which Is being performed by
American diplomatic representatives
in England, in the French camps in
Africa and in the Russian camps eX-