The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-02-03
TREATIES remain
IN EFFECT UNLESS
ORDERED BROKEN
Commercial Relations Will Continue, No Prop
ert Will Be Con6scated and Travellers
May Leave or Enter Both Nations; American
Humanitarian Work In Prison Camps Ends.

WASHINGTON, Feb 3.--Breakng off diplomatic re-
laons with Germany does not but easily lead
to 1t characterized in the of nations meas
ure short of war; The danger that may break
tuated by history Modern times show instance of dpo
suited in war
The actions of the Germans in the United States and
Americans Germany are practically unaffected by the sever
ance OF diplomatic relations No treaties terminated or
suspended but remain in full force and effect unless either
later decides denounce hem which under in
ernational practice generally calls for notice of year
German consuls in the United States and American
suls in Germany holding their places by virtue of treaties
continue to perform their usual functions but they longer
work under supervision of diplomatic officers.
Commercial Relations
Will Not Be Affected
There is change commercial relations already badly
crippled by the Individuals corporations may con-
nue their usual affairs provided they do not deal in
band and their obligations binding The curts
still remain open them redress they have no facility
for direct Intervention of their diplomatic officials They may
however be represented by the diplomats of the friendly
powers care the interests the respective
There should be sequesration confiscaton of pr
vae property either the United States Germany although
it may be taken for use under certain circumstances.
The nnety-fve German merchant ships tied up
in American ports since the beginning of the be
used by the United States but the German ultimately
must be compensated The ships scattered in the ports of
continental American, Porto Rico and the Pacific Island pos
sessions including the Philippine islands, comprise of
the best known liners and 62S87 gross
Only IN case of war there possibility of their being alb
soue cOnscated and then such action doubtful for
leading exponent of the nvoabiy of private property
Travellers Permitted
To Continue Journeys
Mails will continue to under the Geneva convention
and other existing special conventions There should be
restrictions of the free movement of travellers between the
two countries other than the fixed policy of the United States
to give passports to Americans wishing to visit the
unless they have pressing business there In fact
FAR as individuals concerned their status remains pra
caly unchanged by break in diplomatic relations.
Upon the conduct Of Americans in Germany and the
conduct of Germans and German sympathzers the United
States depends the attitude of the respective governments
gardng them.
There is, however, relation between the United
States and Germany which through diplomatic rupture
the humanitarian task of guarding the welfare soldiers
in the prison camps of their and the German
civilians detained in the entente countries This task
which being performed by American diplomatic representa-
tves in England in the French camps in Africa and in the
Russian extending the icy waters of Siberia will have
be confded to other hands Likewise the welfare of British
French Russian and other allied prisoners in Germany Aus
tra and Turkey will pass to other neutral power
Mnstering Hand Of
U. S. Withdrawn
The minsteng hand of the United States which has cared
brought them food clothing and medicine and helped cheer
desoate existence will be withdrawn Someone else will
have take the of humanity land while the United
States by severng diplomatic relations with Germany makes
protest against the violation of humanity
Precedent for the severance of diplomatic relations is
found modern history only between lesser neutral nations
n -