Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-15
]. S. BARS GERMAN /
SHIP INSURANCE
Companies Here Denied Ma
rine Business by President
Wilson's Proclamation. !
BALKS LEAKS TO ENEMY

-
President Wilson yesterday issued q
proclamation prohibiting German insure
ance companies from doing further
business IN marine or war risk insur.
ance in tho United States and forbids
ding American insurance companies
from reinsuring with them. Payment
on existing contracts Is suspended durs
ing the war except in case OF vessels
now at sea.
The Presidents proclamation contains
the first official acknowledgment that
valuable Information may be getting to
Germany through German insurance
companies. The nature of marine and
war risk insurance is such" IL says,
that those conducting It must OF ne
cessity be in touch with the movements
OF ships and cargoes. and 1t has bean
importance that this information should
not be obtained by alien enemies"
Text Of Proclamation.
The proclamation reads: o.
Whereas certain insurance compAe
MES. incorporated under the laws of the
German empire. have been admitted to.
transact the business of marine and war
risk insurance in various states of the
United States. by means of separate
United States branches established pur-
suant to the laws Of such states, and
are now engaged in such business under
the supervision OF the insurance dc.
partments thereof. with assets in the
United States deposited with insurance
departments or In the hands OF resident
trustees. citizens OF the United States,
for the protection Of all policy holders
In the United States:
And whereas. the nature of marine
and war risk insurance Is such that
th<<N
be in touch with the movements Of
ships and cargoes, and 1t has been cone
sidared by the government of great ims
portance that this information should
Business Is Prohibited.
Nov. therefore. l. Woodrow Wilson,
president OF the United States OF
America. by virtue Of the powers vest.t
ed In me as such. hereby declare and
proclaim that such branch establish.
ments OF German insurance companies
now engaged in the transaction Of
business In the United States pursuant
to the laws of tho several states are
hereby prohibited from continuing the
transaction of the business Of marine
and war risk insurance either as direct
insurers or re-insurers; and all in.-
individuals, Arms and insurance CONF
pantes incorporated under the laws Of
any OF the states or territories Of the
try. and established pursuant to thes
laws of such states and now engaged
in the United States in the business Of
marine and war risk insurance ether
as direct insurers or re-insurers aroS
hereby prohibited fom re-insurink with
companies incorporated under the lawp4
OF the German empire. no matter where
located; and all persons in the United
States are prohibited from fnsurtnRs
against marine or war risks with fn-S
surance companies incorporated under
the laws OF the German empire or with
individuals. firms and insurance CONF
panies incorporated under the laws OF.
any Of the states or territories Of tina,
United States or Of any foreign country
and now engaged in the business Of
marine or war risk insurance in the
United States, which re-insure business
originating in the United States with
companies incorporated under the laws,
OF the German empire, no matter wheres
located.
Affects Existing Contracts. =
The foregoing prohibition shall an. ~
tend and operate as to all existing CON-
tracts for insurance and Reinsurance, "
which are hereby suspended for the
period OF the war. excspt that they shall
not operate to violate or prevent the in
surance or Reinsurance of, and the nav.
ment or receipt of. premiums on insur--.
ance or Reinsurance under existing cone.
tracts on vessels or interests at risk ON.
h.
insurance or Reinsurance, IL for 3,
voyage. shall continue in force until
arrival at destination. and II for time,
until thirty days from the date Of thfs-
proclamation. but If on a voyage n.
that time. until the arrival at desttna.
ton =
Nothing herein shall be construed tie
operate to prevent the payment or rel
ceipt Of any premium, or claim now
due or which may become due on or IN
respect to insurance or Reinsurance NOT
prohibited by this proclamation.
Cannot Transmit Funds,
THAT all funds Of such German com.
panfes now in the possession of their
managers or agents. or which shall here.
after come into their possession, shall
be subject to such rules and reguIa-
tons concerning the payment and dis
position thereof as shall be prescribed
by the insurance supervising officials of
the state in which the principal Office OF
such establishment in the United States
is located, but in no event shall any
funds belonging to or held for the bene.
At of such companies be transmitted OUT
side Of the United States. nor be used an
basis for the establishment, directly or
indirectly, Of any credit within or OUT.
side of the United States to or for the
benefit use Of the enemy or any Of his
allies without the permission OF this
government