Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-26
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4 Of publicity on German efforts to hold tn,
United States u a one-sided agreement
The Secretary, in this correspondence
sent to the Swiss Minister, who represents
German in.srcsts in the United states, de
3 clares fatiy that Germany has consistently
violated all Of the provisions Of this treaty
virtually regarding IL as a scrap OF paper
commencing with the sinking OF the Anieri
can schooner Frye. He makes II plain that
j. in his opinion the actual treaties themselves
have been made imperative by the German
actions, although tho correspondence itself
simply rejects the proposed protocol
"A SCRAP OF PAPER"
In connection with the treaty pledges the
Secretary says:
I feel constrained in view Of the cir
cumstances to add that this Govern
= ment is seriously considering whether
or not the treaty OF 1923 and the re-
vived articles of the treaties of 1855
and 1893 have not been. in effect, abro-
gated by the German Governments
nagrsnt violation OF these provisions,
for II would be manifestiy unjust and
inequitable' to require one party TO an
agreement to observe the stipuations
and permit the other to disregard
them.
1t appears that the mutually of un-
derstanding has been destroyed by the
conduct of'the German authorities.
Throughout the communication Secretary
Lansing fiays German methods
Referring to the fact that since diplo-
matlc relations were severed American citi-
sens have been prevented from removing
freely from Germany, the Secretary declares
that this indicates that Germanl proposes
not to be bound by its obligation to grant
that right.
LANsING's NOTE
The Lansing communication is as fol-
1pws
The Secretary Of State to the Min
tster Of StottserIdnd in charge Of Ger
man Interests in America.
Department of State. Washington.
! March 90, 1917.
Sir--I beg to acknowledge the re.
seipt of your note of February 10,
y presenting the proposals of the Ger
man Government for an interpretative
and supplementary agreement as to
Article 20 of the treaty of 1899. After
due consideration, / have to inform
you that the Government OF the United
States Is not disposed TO look with
favor upon the proposed agreement to
alter or supplement the meaning of
Article 23 of this treaty. This posi-
ton OF the Government of the United
States which might under other con-
ditions be different is due to the re-
peated violations by Germany of the
treaty of 1928 and the articles of the
treaties of 1855 and 1893 revived by
the treaty of 1928. II is not necessary
to narrate in detail these violations.
for the attention Of the German Gov
ernment has been called to the cir.
cumstances of each Instance Of viola
ton. but I.may here refer to certain
Of them briefly and in general terms.
BREACHES OF TREATY
Since the sinking of the American steam
ship William P. Fry for the carriage of
contraband, there have been perpetrated
by the German naval forces similar un-
warranted attacks upon and destruction OF
HCnlcrous American vessels for the reason,
as alleged, that they were engaged in trans
portatiun of articles of contrabard. not
withstanding. and in disregard Of Article
IL Of the treaty of 1889.
In addition to the sinking of American
vessels, foreign merchant vessels carrying
American citizens and American property
have been sunk by German submarines
without warning and without any adequate
security for the safety of the persons on
board or compensation for the destruction
Of the property by such action, potwith-
standing the solemn engagement of Article
Is of the treaty Of 1899 that "all persons
belonging to any vessel of war. public or
private, who shall molest insult in any
manner whatever the people, vessels or eff
fects of the other party, shall be responsible
in their persons and property for damages
and interest, sufficient security for which
shall be given by all commanders of private
armed vessels before tney are commits
stoned" and Notwithstanding the further
stipulation of Article 12 of the treaty of
1886 that "the free intercourse and COM
merce of the subjects or citizens of the