The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-02-16

There was. therefore, no opportuni-
| ty or an occasion, as in the days of the
Sussex trouble, for any negotiations to
prevent the crisis or an attempt to
stave off the coming break between
the two countries. There was no
chance this time for discussion with
the emperor such as served to save
the day at the time of the Sussex
note
Nothing could be done except to re-
port to Washington the developments
which appeared in the press of the
world before the embassy dispatches
had started from Berlin and await the
anticipated explosion.
This came in the shape of q rupture
of relations earlier than even Ameri-
cans had expected, and certainly with
a promptness which astonished, and
perhaps even dismayed, the German
official world, prepared though it was
for energetic American action.
Aims at the Germans. 3zfsi
Just what results the German ex-
pertS expect from the iU-bOat cam
paign is uncertain. but in, conversa-
tons in German naval circles the be-
lief was expressed that if it succeeded
in raising the amount of tonnage sunk
per month TO 100000 tons. besides
having deterrent effect on 100000
tons of neutral shipping plying 70 Brit
ish ports, the campaign would effect its
nhinDt nd
peace.
This. it was stated, would have to
be effected by not more than two
thirds of the available submarines
since, owing to the nature
of the work and of the submarine
the boats must spend at least third
of their time in port refitting and re-
pairing or on their way to and from
the cruising grounds.
MisIed by Dispatches.
The German governments attitude
in endeavOring to induce Ambassador
Gerard to sign a protocol reaffifming
the Old-time treaties with the United
States regarding mutual protection Of
nationals in case of hostilities, and the
hints of possible detention of American
newspaper men as hostages, were un-
doubtedly Influenced by alarmist dis
patches from the United States regard
ing treatment of German citizens and
property there.
AS soon as reassuring advices were
received from the United States, ard
as soon, too as tae German govern
ment saw that the attempt to neg0-
tate a protocol re-ratifying the treaty
of 1899 with additions and expansions,
had failed it gracefully receded from
its position, and nothing further was
heard of newspaper men as hos
tageS.
The protocol, which Count Mont
gelas, head of the American depart
ment of the German foreign office, sub
mitted to Ambassador Gerard on the
part of FOrein Secretary Zimmerman
contained besides formal re-ratifica.
ton of the treaty provisions of 1899
and 1928 regarding mutual treatment
of nationals caught in a belligerent
country in the case of war, number
OF important additions and expansions.
1t provided that merchants should
be allowed to continue their businesses
and retain their residences until the
end of the war unmOlested; that nc
law affecting the validity of contracts
should be applied to Germans in Amer
lea or to Americans in Germany, and
that all patents should be inviolate-:
question of Importance in view of the
high value if not the indispensability
of certain German patents in the man
ufacture of munitions and explosives
Would Bar Ship Seizure.
Quite as trenchant in it's bearing or
the pending problems was the pro
vision of an instrument which Ambas
sadOr Gerard was asked to sign speci
flying explicitly that not only enemy
property as such should be exempt
from seizure or restrictions in it's use
beyond those applying to all property
but that enemy ships in ports of the
opponent should not be seized during
the war or forced to leave port unless
to sail under safe-conduct and guar
anty Of exemption from seizure by the
allied belligerents for home port.
Provision also was made for a safe
conduct when it was necessary to
move ships from one port to another
in the same country.
The protocol forbade explicitly any
internment or restrictions upon the
liberty or movement of enemy nation
ais within the limits of the opponent
country.
1t also provided for confirmation of
certain articles of the Hague conven-
tons, particularly as to treatment of
the personnel of enemy merchant
ships captured or caught within an
opponent country.
Ambassador Gerard's refusal to sign
the treaty after he had ceased to per-
form his ambassadorial functions OF
to telegraph for instructions unless he
was permitted to use code led Count
Montgelas to hint that a refusal to
sign the protocol might materially af-
feet the status Of Americans in Ger
many and the privilege of departure,
mentioned specifically, Of the Amerl-
can correspondents whom Ambassador
Gerard desired to take out with him
and whose fate apparently was thought
to carry particular weight in American
public opinion.
The Americans in Berlin and, so far
as known, throughout Germany, have
during the days of tension following
the rupture of diplomatic relations
been treated without hostility and even
in most cases with marked courtesy.
There have been no outbreaks OF