Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1917-03-26
NOTE TO GERMANY
IS MADE PUBLIC


accusing Germany Of regarding trea-
ties as scraps OF paper. the United
States governments note regarding
reconstruction Of the 1879 treaty In
formed Germany that further "en-
gagements" would be useless.
The note, made public In full to-
day. added that the government 10
seriously considering whether or not
Germany's fragrant violations" had
not abrogated the l7S5.i7ss and
1898 treaties,
After the reciting OF 6ermany's
violations OF the treaties, the note
adds:
I'm view OF the clear violations OF
the plain terms OF the treaties In
question. solemnly concluded on the
mutual understanding that the OBJ
legations theunder would be faithful
ly kept, In view further OF the dis
regard the canons OF International
courtesy and the comfy OF nations
In the treatment OF innocent Amefi-
can citizens in Germany. the govern
ment OF the United States cannot per-
ceive any advantage which would
flow from further engagements, even
though they were merely declatory
OF international law entered into
with the imperial German govern
ment In regard to the meaning OF
any OF the articles OF these treaties
or as supplementary to them.
I'm these circumstances. therefore.
the government OF the United States
declines to enter the special protocol
proposed by the imperial German
government"
In conclusion. the note says:
1T would appear that the mutual.
ity OF the undertakings (the trea-
ties) has been destroyed by the con-
duet OF the German authorities"
While the note indicated serious
consideration of abrogation OF the
treaties, the state department indicat-
ed that II probably win be unable to
act without the senate on that sub
ject.
The note said further:
Since the sinking OF the Amerl-
can steamer William p. Frye. for the
carriage OF contrnband. there have
been perpetrated by the German nav
al forces similar unwarrnnted attacks
upon and destruction OF numerous
American vessels for the reason. as
alleged: that they were engaged In
transportation OF articles OF contra
band. Notwithstanding. and In disre-
gard OF Article 13 OF the treaty OF
1899.
'In addition to the sinking OF Am-
erican vessels, foreign merchant ves-
sells carrying American citizens and
American property have been sunk
by German submarines without
warning and without any adequate
security for the safety OF the persons
cd board or compensation for the
destruction OF property By such ac-
tlon. Notwithstanding the solemn en-
gagement Of Article ! 5 OF the treaty
OF 1898.
"Disregarding these obligations the
German government has proclaimed
certain zones on the high seas. In
which II declared without reserva-
tion that all ships. including those OF
neutrals, would be sunk and In those
zones German submarines have, In
fact, In accordance with this declara-
tion ruthlessly sunk merchant ves-
sells and jeOpardized or destroyed the
lives OF number OF American citi-
zens on board.
Moreover. since the severance OF
diplomatic relations between the Y.
s. and Germany, certain American
citizens In Germany have been pre-
vented from removing freely from the
country. While this is not viola
tion OF the terms OF the treaties men,
toned. II is a disregard OF the reel.
procal liberty OF intercourse between
the two countries in time OF peace
and cannot be taken otherwise than
as an Indication OF a purpose on the
part OF the German government to
disregard, in the event OF war, the
lsimilar liberty OF action provided fol