The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-27
Government Issues Note and Explains Why These Instruments Were
 Not Observed
CANONS OF COURTESY
 ARE DISREGARDED
United States, Under These Circumstances, Could Not Do Otherwise Than Re-
 flute Old Agreement

Washington, March 26. Germany's "clear viola tions" of the treaties of 1799 and 1928 and her dis regard of the canons of international courtesy"were assigned by the United States as reasons for refusal to reaffirm or extend these agreements.
 The note of refusal to Germany, l transmitted through Dr. Paul Ritter, 1 the Swiss minister, was made public ! today by the state department and discloses that this government "is l seriously considering" whether Ger many's conduct has not, i'm effect ab- rogated these treaties.
 CLEAR VIOLATION 1 "In view of the clear violations by thea German authorities of the plain terms ot the treaties in question, solemnly con- lcluded on the mutual understanding. that the obligations, hereunder wouldl be, faith- fully kept; in view further of the disre- gard of the canons Of international cour-- Il tesy, and the conity of nations, i'm the 1 treatment of innocent American citizens | in Germany. the government. of the, United States cannot perceive any advan-- tage which would flow from further. en- agreements even though they were mere-- ly declaratory of international law. en- tered into with the imperial German gov
 ernment in regard to the meaning of any of the articles of these treaties, or as'
 supplementary to them. In. these cir-
 cumstances, therefore the government, of the United States declines to enter into: the special protocol proposed by the im-- perial government"
 | LANSING'S NOTE
 The American note signed by Secretary Lansing reads as follows:
 T beg to acknowledge the receipt. of your note of February 40. presenting the, proposals of the German government for an interpretive and supplementary agree
 ment as to article 23 of the treaty of 1799.
 After due consideration, I have to, inform, you that the government of the Unitedl States is not disposed to look with, favor. upon the proposed agreement to alter or, supplement the meaning of article g of. this treaty. This position of the govern. ment of the United States which might
 under other conditions be different is due to the repeated violations by Germany, of the treaty of 1928 and the articles of the treaties of 17S5 and 1799 revived by. the treaty of 1928. It is not necessary to narrate in detail these violations for the attention of the German government has been called to the circumstances of each instance of violation. but may here fer to certain of them briefly and in general terms
 SINCE SINKING OF FRYE
 Since the sinking of the American ship
 William P Frye for the carriage of con-
 traband, there have been perpetrated b.
 the German naval forces similar unwar-
 ranted attacks upon and destruction of numerous American vessels for the rea-
 son as alleged that they were engaged in Transportation of articles of contraband,
 notwithstanding. and in disregard of ar- Iticle 14 of the treaty of 1799, that no ar- Iticles (of contraband) carried in the ves- lsels, or by the subjects of citizens of
 either party to the enemies of the other
 shall be deemed contraband as to in-
 duce confiscation or condemnation. and "a loss of property to individuals. and that
 in case of vessel stopped for
 articles of contraband, if the master oS the vessel stopped will deliver out the goods supposed to be of contraband na- ture he shall be admitted to do it, and the vessel shall not in that case be car , ried into any port or further detained. but shall be allowed to proceed on her
 voyage
 OTHER VIOLATIONS
 Tn addition to the sinking of American, vessels, foreign merchant vessels carry- ling American citizens and American prop- erty have been sunk by German subma-
 rines without warning and without any
 adequate security for the safety of ths
 persons on board, or compensation for tho
 destruction of the property by such ac- ton, notwithstanding the solemn engage ments of article Is of the treaty of 179s. that all persons belonging to any ves-
 sells of war. public or private, who shall modest, or insult in any manner whatever 2 the people, vessel or effects of the other II party shall be responsible in their per- ' sons and property for damages and n- U terest. sufficient security for which shall be given by all commanders of private, : armed vessels beforfe they are commis-- U sioned,' and notwithstanding the further ! stipulation of article 12 of the treaty of Il7S5, that the free intercourse and com-
 merce of the subjects or citizens of the, party remaining neutral with the bellig- o erent powers shall not be interrupted . "Dsregarding these obligations, the :. German government has proclaimed cer-- tain zones of the high seas in which t de. lclared without reservation that all ships.