Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-09
Want Sailing Dates Secret.

Want Sailing Dates Secret.
The entente embassies here have ask
ed the State Department if some step
cannot be taken to cease publications
of sailings of vessels and publication
of manifests of ships going into the
war zone. Officials realize that there
is no warrant of law to prevent publi-
cation of sailings. but some step may
be taken to ask Aemrican publishers to
refrain from printing them on the
ground of national policy.
Secretary Lansing today authorized
the following statement:
Il am very loath to oelieve that the
German government Intentionally Is de-
tanning, Ambassador Gerard in Berlin
on any excuse whatsoever. L shouio oe
very much surprised II such course had
been taken"
There Is absolutely no justification in
international law. it was pointed out.
for the detention of the ambassador.
No dispatch has been received from
Mr.. Gerard either directly through
Copenhagen or through the Spanish
ambassador in Berlin since pm. on
February 5. No Americans are reported
to have arrived in Copenhagen from
Berlin SO far this week
Gerard's Refusal Is Approved.
AMBASSADOR Gerard's refusal to enter
into any sort of negotiations with the
German foreign effice is approved by
the State Department as the only pos
sible course for him TO pursue in view
of his status of a private citizen Any
ct mmunication from the German gov
ernmen: regarding a treaty on any
other subject would have to be carried
CnoniSh Swiss din
lomatic representatives in Berlin who
are looking after the interests OF the
United States in Germany.
The basis of the German proposition
to reaffirm the old treaties, wnlch.
among other things. provide that in
case Of war the citizens of either coun-
try in the others territory Shall have
nine months in which to dispose OF
their property and to leave, is found
in the fact that this course was neces-
sarY to continue the conventions in ex-
istence as result of the enactment OF
the seaman's act by Congress several
years ago. That act terminated all
treaties containing provisions IN con-
protection of seamen. 1t was provided.
however, that other sections of the
treaties not relating to the sailors
might be continued in force If the
with whom these treatles
were made by the United states en-
pressed their Willingness to the exclu-
sion of the Objectionable matter.
Most of the governments approached
consented to the alteration OF their
treaties. Germany was not invited to
do so when the original propositions
we're made, because Of the pendency OF
the case of the destroyed American ship
William P. Frye. involving the vitality
of the old treaties of 1893 and 1S2S. Later
to Germany to continue the treaties in
.mended form. There was no response
and nothing more had been heard about
the matter until news came tnat Ger
MANY now wanted to take the step
necessary to keep the treaties alive.
No Announcement by U. :.
There has been no announcement OF
tbe American governments attitude
toward a formal reaffirmation of the
,.cts officials already have made clear
that the spirit of the treaties Will be op-
,..d in the treatment of Germans in |
this country, though there Is some dis
nosition to oppose any exchange with
Germany on he subject.
rha seventeen bills drafted by the i
of Justice to give the led
eraI government greater power IN the
of spies. conspirators ana
Offenders against American neutrality
were reported to the Senate yesterday
hy the judiciary committee. Actins
~ Sb,irman Overman said he expected to
Ill them up for action at the earliest
moment. They were favorably
.enorted to the House Tuesday and will
he nressed for early passage there also
in compliance with a request from
President Wilson.
Among the bills are measures to
,,,niah spytng on any work of national
,eranse- forgery or fraudulent obtain
10 Of passports, destruction or Grip
ling of foreign ships In American har-
,ors conspiracies to interfere with
he export of munitions and many
,tber provisions suggested by the plots
II foreign sympathizers since the war
Eav Edge of New Jersey called at
,,e white House today to assure Presi-
ant Wilson that the government and
,eonle of his state support MIN IN the
crisis
PRESIDENT Wilson. pursuing MS gen.
r.i Motley of having ,he government
aaroin from any act which might be
onstrued as being prompted by an ul-
.;er motive in the crisis. authorized
commencement that bank deposits,
- tenant ships and other private prop
- ~ foreigners will not be seized,
ven. in case of war. That confirmed a
revision of the Prussian- American
reaty of 1928. without actually refer
inc to the convention.
Officials- were impressed anew with
he apparent success-of Gerpapy's new
,aanpaign as they received4rerorts OF