The Washington times., 1917-07-15

SeAH8 COnbTACLb II suspended
during the war.
The Presidents proclamation con-
tains the first official acknowIedE.
ment that valuable military informa-
uon Of the United States may be
reaching Berlin through German In
surApce companies operating here.
The proclamation points out that ''the
nature of war risk and marine insur-
anee is such that those conducting It
must OF necessity be in touch with
the movements OF ships and carEoes.
and II has been considered by the Gov
eminent OF great Importance that
this information should not be OBJ
tained by enemies"
Text Of PrOeIamation.
The text OF the proclamation fol-
lows:
whereas, certain Insurance
companies, Incorporated under the
laws OF the German empire, have
been admitted to transact the
business OF marine and war risk
insurance In various States Of the
United States, by means of sep
arate United States branches es-
tAolished pursuant to the laws of
such States, and are now engaged
IN such business under the super
Vision OF the insurance depart
ments thereof, with assets in the
United States deposited with in
surance departments or In the
hands OF resident trustees, citI-
Gems Of the United States, for the
protection OF all policyholders In
the United States;
And whereas, the nature OF ma
rine and war risk insurance is
such that those conducting IL
must OF necessity be in touch with
the movements OF ships and car
goes, and II has been considered
by the Government OF great i'm
portance that this information
should not be obtained by the
allen enemies:
Business Prescribed.
Now, therefore, I, Woodrow
Wilson, President OF the United
States OF America, by virtue Of
the powers vested In me as such,
hereby declare and proclaim that
such branch establishments of
German insurance companies now
engaged in the transaction Of
business in the United States pur-
suant to the laws OF the several
States are hereby prohibited from
continuing the transaction OF the
business OF marine and war risk
Insurance either as direct Insur-
ers or reinsurers; and all individ-
uals, hrms, and insurance COM
panies incorporated under the
laws Of any OF the States or Terri
tories of the United States, or of
any foreign country, and estab-
lished pursuant to the laws OF
such States and now engaged in
the United States in the business
OF marine and war risk insurance
either as direct insurers or re-
insurers are hereby prohibited
from reinsuring with companies
incorporated under the laws OF
the German empire, no matter
where located; and all persons in
the United States are prohibited
from insuring against marine or
war risks with insurance COM
panieB incorporated under the
laws OF the German empire or
with individuals, firms, and in
surancs companies incorporated
under the laws OF any of the
States and Territories OF the
United States or OF any foreign
country and now engaged In the
business OF marine or war risk
insurance in the United States,
which reinsure business origin
ating In the United States with
companies incorporated under the
laws of the German empire. no
matter where located.
Affects Existing Contracts.
The foregoing prohibition
shall extend and operate as to all
existing contracts for Insurance.