Bisbee daily review., 1917-03-27
Lansing Tells Swiss Minister, United States May Decide Germany Already Has Alp rogated Them.
 WOULD HAVE AGREED
 BUT FOR SINKINGS Under These Treaties No Arti- cles Could Be Declared Con- raband, Nor Ships Attack ed by Either Power.
CBy Review Leased wire)

NbS IASNlCN AC1Stu NlTcl
 WASHINGTON, Mar. 2s.-Ger-
 many's "clear violations" of the
 treaties of 17ee and 1923 and her
 disregard of the canons of inter-
 national courtesy" were assigned
 by the United States as reasons
 for refusal to re-affirm or extend
 these agreements. The note of
 refusal to Germany transmitted
 through Or. Paul Ritter, the Swiss
 minister. was made public today
 by the state department and dis
 Closes that this government "is
 seriously considering" whether
 Germsny's conduct has not in ef-
 feet abrogated these treaties.
 The American note. signed by Sec retary Lansing. follows:
 ''I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your note of February 10 present ing the proposals of the German gov ernment for an interpretative and supplementary amendment 10 article g of the treaty of 1799
 Won't Alter Treaties
 After due consideration l have to inform you that the government Of the United States is not disposed fo look with favor upon the proposed agreement to alter or supplement the meaning of article 2S of this treaty This position of the government Of the United States which might under other conditions be different. is due to the repeated violations by Germa- ny of the treaty of 1928 and the arti- cles of the treaties of I7S5 and 17SS revised by the treaty of 1928. l. is not necessary to narrate in detail these violations for the attention of the German government has been called 10 the circumstances of each instance of violation but may here refer to some of them briefly and in general terms:
 Some Violations
 Since the sinking of the American ship Vim. ?. Frye for the carriage of there have been perpe- trated by the German naval forces similar unwarranted attacks upon and destruction of numerous American vessels. for the reason as alleged. that they were engaged in the trans portation of articles of cOntraband and in disregard Of article thirteen of the treaty of l199 that no such articles tof contraband carried in the vessels or by the ships of either party shall be deemed con traband SO as to induce confscation or condemnation and a loss of proper ty to individuals. And that in ease of a vessel stopped for articles of con traband, if the master of the vessel stopped will deliver out the goods supposed to be of contraband nature. be shall be admitted tO do 1t and the vessel shall not in that case be car ried into any port or further detained but shall be allowed to proceed on her voyage
 More Broken Promises
 Tn addition 10 the sinking of Am erican vessels. foreign merchant yes selS carrying American citizens and American property have been sunk by German submarines without warn ing and without and adequate securi- ty for the safety of the persons on board or compensation for the de struction of property by such action. the solemn engage nents of article fifteen Of the treaty of 1799 that all persons belonging 10 any vessels of war. public or private. who shall modest or insult in any manner whatever the people. vessels pr effects of the other party. shall be in their persons and prop srty for damages and interests. suffi- ,ient security for which shall be giv- sn by all commanders of private ,rmed vessels before they are com and notwithstanding the further stipulation of articles T. Of he treaty of 17S5 that the free inter ,ourse and commerce of the subjects ,r citizens of the party remaining neutral with the belligerent powers hall not be interrupted.
 Arbitrary German Zone
 "Disregarding these obligations. he German government has proclaim d certain ones of the high seas in vhich it declared without reservation hat all ships. including those of neu- rals. win be sunk and in those zones German submarines have. in fact in with this declaration. uthlessly sunk merchant vessels and or destroyed the ljvO of American citIEens on board.
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