Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-27
KAISER BREAKS PACT
He WOULD EXTEND
Germany Told that Treaty Was
Probably Abrogated by It's
Own Lawless Acts.
A JUG HANDLE BARGAIN

Washington, March 2o.-Germany
"ciear violations" of the treaties OF
1870 and 1923 and its disregard OF the
canons OF international courtesy"
were assigned by the United States as
reasons for refusal to reafhrm or eN-
tend these agreements. The note OF
refusal TO Germany. transmitted
through DIR. Paul Ritter, the Swiss
minister, was made pubic today by
the State department and discloses
that this government lis seriously con-
sidering whether Germany's conduct
has not in effect abrogated these trea-
ties"
The note says "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 obliga-
tons Hereunder would be faithfully
kept; in view further OF the disregard
Of the tanons OF international courtesy
and the comfy OF nations in the treat
ment OF innocent American citizens
in Germany, the government OF the
United States cannot perceive any adj
vantage which would flow from fur
Their engagements. even though they
were merely declaratory oil interna-
tional law, entered into with the i'm
perial German government, in regard
to the meaning OF any u the articles
| OF these treaties or as supplementary
| to them. In these circumstances
therefore the government of the
United States declines to enter into
the special protocol proposed by the
imperial government.
This government is seriously con-
sidering," continues the note,
whether or not the treaty of 1928
and the revised articles OF the treaties
Of 1885 and 1879 have not been in eff
| feet abrogated by the German govern
ments fragrant violations Of their
provisions, for it wouli be manifestly
unjust and inequitable to require one
party to an agreement to observe its
stipulations and to permit the other
party to disregard them. II would APP
pear that the mutually OF the UNDER
taking has been destroyed by the con-
duct OF the German authorities"
The German note also made public
was regarded by officials as practically
proposing a new treaty. Nationals
OF either country resident in the
other would, in case of war, have
tcen free from internment; most would
have been entitled to remain indcf-
initely and those seeking to leave
would have been free to do so with
all their property. Enemy property,
specifically including merchant YES
sells, would have been free from all
sequestration except under laws ap-
plying to neutrals also, while con-
| tracts and patents would not have
been cancelled, suspended or declared
void.
Status Of Germans Here.
The status Of Germans in this
country is not held to be affected
by the refusal to reaffirm the old
treaties and there will be not general
internment or prosecutions. Tho
most serious project now in mind is
adoption Of the mild Canadian sys-
tenn by which Germans must register
and remain within certain limits unless
especially permitted to leave. Under
this plan only 5000 out Of 10000 Ger
mans in Canada have been informed.
The activities of plotters already
discovered and the certainty that
more are to follow has not shaken
the official belief that the majority
Of Germans will remain loyal.
| Whether the treaties may be con-
sidered abrogated through Germany's
action will depend upon theAState de-
partments view as to whether senate
approval is essential. There is doubt
| whether the department alone can
reach such decision.