Evening journal., 1917-05-23
U. 5. MAY START
WAR REPRISALS
President Demands Assur-
ances From Germany Re-
garding Hostages
SAY AMERICANS
ARE ABUSED

statement as 10 whether the present
policy of holding Americans virtual,
as hostages in Germany and Belgium
Is to continue
The demand has been addressed Ia
the government of Spain for immedi
ate transmission TO Berlin. Unless
Germany at once gives this govern.
ment satisfaction President Wilson
will take into consideration various
plans TO bring Berlin to understand
that the German government cannot
trample with impunity on the rights
OF innocent American non-combatants.
The practicable means which the
President has at his disposal are many
and varied. They would involve the
practice of reprisals in time OF war.
for which the President Is known TO
have an aversion, but. on the other
hand, American men, women and chill.
dren who are now apparently made
10 suffer because OF Germay's policy
must be afforded all the protection
fhis government can give, according to
officials here.
Rstaiiatlon May BE Forced.
" Germany informs the President
that the Americans are going to be
held as hostages or gives character
dstically evasive answer the Presi-
dent may be forced 20 order retalla-
tory measures against German inter
ssts now under the protection OF the
United States The Presidents posi-
zion in this respect is distinctly more
advantageous than Germanys because
there are enormous German property
anterests, which could be conhscated
at a moments notice, and the mum.
Der OF Germans entrusted TO the char
stable disposition OF the United States
1s very large. American property IN
Germany is not extensive, and the
number OF Americans there or in Bel
Eium is small.
It is explained here that the Presi-
nent had hoped to avoid even sug-
sestion OF reprisals. AT the very be-
ginning OF the war he announced that
ell German rights would be respected
in the United States, and he even de-
Clined to consider conhscation- OF
German interned ships in American
ports.
The manner IN which Germans in
the United States have placed conf
dence in the Presidents attitude has
been one OF the welcome signs that
this policy would yield fruit and en-
RhAN MN W ANNiN any MtttohAiy Oh
making subjects of the enemy who
follow peaceful pursuits pay the PEN
atty for their governments misdeeds.
Tenlon Ruthlessness Charged.
But while German interests i'm the
United States have been scrupulously
guarded. word has reached the state
Department that Americans in Ger
many and Belgium were being SUBJ
jected to campaign Of studied Teu-
ton ruthlessness.
Positive information Of tho detention
of Americans in Germany and Belgium
has reached the state Department ac-
cording 10 an official announcement
made yesterday No details are given.
but II Is understood that the news has
leaked out through neutral countries
and reached here with full confederation
The German Government apparently
desires TO hold as many Americans asI
possible as virtual hostages in order
that threats against their welfare or
even their lives may be used OPPORTUNITY
IN some future instances. The Germans
used British subjects detained in Ger
many as means Of forcing Great
Britain to accord Germans In Great
Britain special privileges And these
privileges all the time were being used
with advantage by German spies and sc.
cret agents who during the first year
Of the war infested London and the Brit.
tsh ports.
The first direct Quesaon OF re-
Naisals between Great Btatain and
Eermany resulted from the British re-
tusal to accord submarine crews the
same honors as other prisoners OF
war. Sir Edward Grey. then Brit
ASH Foreign Secretary, took the view
mat The crews OF submarines sinking
hinarmed merchant ships laden WITH
men, women and children were to be
regarded as pirates OF the seas"
Germany at once singled out 4
number OF the most prominent British
citizens, including prisoners Of war.
and announced that unless honors
were accorded to the U4boat crew.
regardless OF their records, tho Ger
man Government would at once nut
into effect the most drastic punish
ment for the specific persons singled
cut
Under these circumstances Great
britain was forced TO yield II was
teanzed that n Il came to a cOmpeti
lion IN frightfulness or in inflioting
torture on individuals, the British
would be in no position TO cone witt
The Germans Germany therefore es
tablished dominant position in thu
matter OF reprisals.
RScalled Treaty OF 1893.
Germany is justifying the detention
OF Americans on the ground that tn
United States did not agree to re
vised edition OF the treaty Of 1893 pro
posed by Berlin after the break of re
lations. The treaty dealt with right
OF resident citizens in time of war AM
gave them nine months immunity from
detention. President Wilson took tn
ground that no such treaty was neces
sary to insure justice to German resi-
dents in the United States
AS a subterfuge for detainine
Americans the German Government,
now claims they would be in a posi-
tlon 10 betray important military
secrets II they were allowed - leave
Out in cases where Americans have
voluntarily remained in Belgium. far
from the scene OF military activities
The Berlin authorities allowed them
10 stay on week after week and now
are unwilling to permit them to de-
part. w
There have been reports Of the ale
appearance Of Americans who lof,
Berlin presumably TO come 10 ~,
United States. One case of vo,,n,
American violinist from Detroit. VIII,
was studying In Germany and ha
been lost sight or In other case
young American girls studying in &c
many have been cut of from all con
<.urfcoffon with fhoit. noropfe a, a.