New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-15
German Insurance
Firm Forced Out
By Wilson'S Order
F. Hermann & Co. to
Liquidate Their Bust
ness Here

F. Hermann & Co., until the out
break Of war the largest writers or
German insurance in New York, have
ceased underwriting and will hquidate
their affairs. The one American insur-
ance company which the firm has OF
late represented, the National Union,
has been taken over by former part
ner, Charles A. Orr, who has also
taken over the firms recent offices at
4S Exchange Place.
Hermann e. Co., who now have
Offices at ! Liberty Street, have ceased
underwriting, Lsurance Kneeland,
counsel for the firm, explained yester-
day. because the lines remaining open
TO them we're not sufficiently large to
be profitable.
Barred From Marine Risks
"The Presidents proclamation" said
h. "barred their companies, the Nora
Deutsch and the Mannheim, from ma
rine insurance. The National Union in
sisted that its affairs here be managed
nv an American. This left only auto
mobile and some lines Of railroad in
surance. There is no demand for Ger
man insurance on automobiles, and,
with it's other business gone, the nm
Just decided to quit.
"Mr. Hermann, who has oeen hetc
many wears. accepts the change IN
conditions as one OF the fortunes OF
war. There will be no attempt to evade
snv provision relative TO enemy TRAD
ing u ero,
% cuit business was followed yester-
dav bv the report that Carl Schreiner'
The chief Of the German insurance IN
terests in this country, is graouaily
reducing his commitments. Some OF
This. il is stated, is due to the growing
opposition TO companies OF herman
origin or connections and his desire TO
he prepared for any contingency.
Warns Associates To Be Ready
He is quoted as having advised his
associates to be ready for "a real
awakening Of the people of this coun.
trv that the United States IS at war.
This country" he is quoted as say
ing. "is at war, but most Of the people
do not realize il. 1t will not be long
before American troops will be in &C.
ton. and the papers will be full OF
Death lists of stories of men gassed
and blinded. There will be, in the
natural order Of things, American pris-
oners in Germany and stories OF their
maltreatment will begin TO come
through Just as they did TO England
Then'well, you will probably find
change.
"It won't be easy for Germans. de-
nrjved OF their freedom of movement,
10 straighten out their affairs. foull
see the same here as in England
pretty general roundup OF Germans
and when il comes my time 70 De
locked up, if ! am, | want 10 be ready.
Doubt if Amendment Will Pass
On the part OF those who are in ia
yor of allowing all German companies
20 continue to write fire insurance here
there is considerable doubt as TO the
success Of the Frelinghuysen amend
ment 10 the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
act. which, if it stands, will result IN
their remaining in business here. Much
pressure has been brought to bear on
Washington TO have the amendment
killed.
IF it ia not killed in the commit
tee" one friend of the amendment ad-
mitted yesterday, "its chance in the
Senate is not very bright. Almost any
thing might develop over night to kill
it. The big difficulty in putting u
through will be that Senators viii
naturally fight shy of doing anything
that might cause them TO be tagged
as pro-Germans"