Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-26
NJ. S. MAY CANCEL TREATY OF 1899
GUARANTEEING SAFETY TO GERMANS

party remaining neutral with the bellge
ent powers shall not be Interrupted"
Disregarding these obligations, the &c
man Government has proclaimed certa'
zones of the high seas In which II declare
without reservation that all ships. includlr
those of neutrals. will be sunk and in thos
zones German submarines have, In fac
In accordance with this declaration, rutl
lessy sunk merchant vessels and jeopart
lied or destroyed the lives of America
citizens on board.
Moreover, since the severance OF rela-
tions between the United states and
Germany certain American citizens In
Germany have been prevented from re-
moving freely from the country. While
this Is not q violation of the terms of
the treaty mentioned, IL is a disregard
of the reciprocal 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 sim
liar liberty OF action provided for In
Article 23 of the treaty of 1799--the
very art Gle which II Is now proposed
to interpret and supplement almost
wholly in the interest Of the large num-
Der of German subjects residing in the
United States and enjoying in their
DtTSOIS VI properly Nii' piS'"NN'N' -
the United States Government.
SAFETY TO MERCHANTS
This article provides in effect that
merchants of either country residing
in the other shall be allowed stated
time i'm which TO remain TO settle their
affairs and to depart freely. carrying
Off all their effects without molcsta-
tion or hin6rance," and women and
phiilraD and certain others.
may continue their respective employ
ments and shall not be molested in
atheir persons or properly. 1t is now
proposed by the Imperial German Gov
ernment 10 enlarge the scope OF THIS
article so as to grant to German sub
jects and German property remaining
In the United states In time OF war
the same treatment In many respects
as that enjoyed by neutral subjects and
neutral property in the United States.
In view of the clear violations by the
German authorities Of the plain terms
of the treaties in question, solemnly
concluded on the mutual understanding
that the obligations Hereunder would
be faithfully kept, in view of the further
disregard of the canons of international
courtesy and the comfy of nations in
the treatment of innocent American
citizens in Germany, the Government of
the United States cannot perceive any
advantage which would flow from
further engagements, even though they
were merely declaratory of inter-
national law, entered into with the
Imperial German Government in re-
gard to the meaning of any of the
articles of these treaties, or as supple
mentary to them. In these circum-
stances, therefore, the Government OF
the United States declines to enter into
the special protocol proposed by the
Imperial German Government.
MAY BREAK TERMS
/ feel constrained in view Of the
circumstances, to add that this Gov
ment is seriously considering whether
or not the treaty of 1928 and the re-
vived articles of the treaties of 1888
and 1893 have not been in effect abro-
gated by the German Governments
fragrant violations of their provisions.
for it would be manifestly unjust and
inequtabe to require one party to an
agreement to observe its stipulations
and to permit the other party to dis
regard them. 1t would appear that the
mutually of the undertaking has been
destroyed by the conduct of the Ger
man authorities.
Accept, etc,
ROBERT LANSING.
Secretary of State Lansing pointed out
hat what action shall be taken should il
e determined that Germany by her actions
,as In effect nullified in every way the exist
ng Prussian treaties was something for the
;enate 20 decide when it meets. That body
5 the treaty confirming branch of the Gov
The question of whether Germans in the
Jnited States shall be interned in the event
{ war, and of whether German property
hall be taken over by this Government are
mong the real problems which Congress
1ust pass upon. Meanwhile, Secretary
.ansing indicated, this Government viii. not
hange its present attitude.