Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-17
BERLIN URGES 1899
PACT BE AFFIRMED
Protection of Germans and
Americans in Other Coun-
tries Strengthened
GUARD PROPERTY RIGHTS
New Arrangements Asked as Re-
suit of Diplomatic Break
Between Nations

is insisting that the United states shall
reafilrm the Prussian treaty of 1893, Fol
lowing the refusal OF Ambassador Gerard
to discuss the question with the Berlin
Foreign Office, the latter took the matter
I'M directly with the State Department
The department today received the pro-
posed ampliications through the Swiss
Government and has made them public
without comment
The German suggestions. if they are ac-
cepted by President Wilson. will effectively
safeguard the citizens of either nation and
private property in the territory OF each
nation. Protection of Germans in the
United states and of Americans in Ger
many is guaranteed by each Government
and neither can he detained in concentra-
tion camps
Tho Swiss communication was as follows
THE German legation at Berne has COM
municated the following to the Swiss politi-
cal department tforegn office)
THE American treaty of friendship and
commerce Of the 18th OF July. 1893, pro-
vdes by Article XXIIT for the treatment OF
the subjects or citizens OF the two States
and their property In the event of war be-
tween the two States. This article, which
is without question in fun force as regards
the relations between the German Empire
and the United States, requires certain
explanations and additions on account of
the development of international law.
NEW ARRANG EMENT ASKED
1.-THE German Government therefore pro-
poses that a special arrangement be now
signed OF which the English text is as
follows:
Agreement between Germany and the
United States Of America concerning the
treatment of each others citizens and their
private property after the severance of
diplomatic relations.
ARTICLE l. After the severance Of
diplomatic relations between Germany and
the United States of America and in the
event OF the outbreak OF war between the
two powers. the citizens OF either party
and their private property in the territory
of the other party shall be treated accord
ing to article 23 of the treaty Of amity
and commerce between Prussia and the
United States of the 1tth of July, 1899,
with tho following explanatory and supple
Ineutary clauses:
"Article II. German merchants In the
United States and American merchants In
Germany shall. so far as the treatment OF
their persons aud their property s con-
cerned, be held in every respect on a par
with the other persons mention in article
%. They shall accordingly, even after the
period provided for in article % has
elapsed, be entitled to remain and continue
their profession in the country OF their
residence Merchants, az well as the other
persons mentioned in article 23, may be
excluded from fortified places or other
places of military importance.
ARTICLE III Germans in the United
States and Americans in Germany shall be
free to leave the country OF their residence
within the time and by the routes that shall
be assured to them by the proper authori-
ties The persons departing shall be en-
titled to take along their personal property,
including money valuables and bank ac-
counts, excepting such property the expor-
tatlon of which Is prohibited according 10
general provisions.
"'Article IV.--The protection of Germans
in the United States and of Americans in
Germany and of their property shall be
guaranteed in accordance with the laws
existing in the countries OF either party
They shall be under no other restrictions
concerning the enjoyment of their priva te
rights and the judicial enforcement of theil
rights than neutral residents They may
accordingly not be transferred to concentra
tion camps, nor shall their private property
be subject TO sequestration or liquidation
or other compulsory alienation except IL
cases that under the existing laws apply
to neutrals. AS a general rule German
properly in the United States and American
property in Germany shall not be subjec
to sequestration or liquidation, or othe
| compulsory alienation under other con
ditions than neutral property.
"'Article V. Patent rights or other pro
tected rights held by Germans in the United
States or Americans in Germany shall no
be declared Soid nor shall the exercise O
such rights be impeded nor shall such right!
be transferred to others without the consen
of the person entitled thereto. provided
! that regulations made exclusively in the in
| terest OF the State shall apply.
| Article VI. Contracts made between
Germans and Americans. either before o.
| after the severance of diplomatic relations
| also obligations OF all kinds between Ger
| mans and Americans, shall not be declared
| Cancelled void or In suspension, except ur
| der provisions applicable to neutrals Like
wise the citizens of either party shall no
be impeded in fulfilling their liabilities aris
ing from such obligations, either by injunc
tions or by other provisions, unless thes
| apply to neutrals
| HAGUE CONVENTION CLAUSES
| "Article VII The provisions OF tn
! sixth Hague convention, relative to tn
| treatment of enemy merchant ships at tn
outbreak of hostilities. shall apply to tn
merchant vessels of either party and thei
| cargo. The aforesaid ships may not b
forced to leave port unless at the same tim
| they be given a pass, recognized as bindin
| by all the enemy sea powers, to "A hom
port, or port of an allied country, or I
another port Of the country in which tn
ship happens TO be.
"Artce VIII. The regulations Of char
ter. three of the eleventh Hague convention
relative to certain restrictions in the exei
else OF the rights of capture in maritim
war shall apply to the captains, officers an
members of the crews of merchant shin
specifed In article VII and of such mel
chant ships as may be captured in tn
course OF possible war
"'Article IX. This agreement shSll appl
| ala ha