New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-18
Lansing Publishes Text OF
Protocol Seeking to
Replevin Liners
ALREADY IN CLASS
OF "SCRAP OF PAPER"
Section Guaranteeing Free
Seas to Neutrals Torn
to Bits by Berlin
From The Tribune Bureau


Washington, Feb. 1.-THE text OF
Germany's proposed protocol constru-
ing and extending the Prussian-Amer1-
can treaty Of 1899 was made public TO-
dav by the State Department. 1t re-
veals that the chief purpose Of the
German government is to insure that
the German merchant ships now tied
nm in American harbors shall not be
seized by the United States in the event
of war.
The protocol was offered to the State
DEPARTMENT by the Swiss Minister last
Saturday after an Intellectual attempt
had been made to induce Ambassador
Gerard to accept it after the break in
relations. officials Of the government
indicated to-day that no action would
be taken on the German offer, except
possibly a reply stating that the United
States intended to observe the spirit
of the tresty as now in force.
IN case of extremity, however, the
United States will not feel hampered
by the treaty, because Germany al
ready has violated several articles OF
! it. The German war zone declaration
in itself is a violation Of Article XII,
which provides that in no clrcum-
stances is vessel belonging to a
citizen Of the neutral party TO be sunk
by war vessels of the belhgerent party
so long as the master Of the merchant
ship is willing to deliver out the contra
band in his cargo.
Scrap of Paper" Section
Following is the article, which Ger
many asks TO have reaftrmed at the
moment when the two countries are on
the verge Of war, because she has
ARTICLE XII.
"If one of the contracting parties
should be engaged in war with any
other power, the free intercourse and
commerce of the subjects or citizens OF
the party remaining neuter with the
bslligerent powers shall not be inter
rupted. On the contrary, in that case,
as in full peace, the vessels of the neu-
trail party may navigate freely to and
from all the ports and on the coasts OF
the beliigerent parties, free vessel 8
making free goods, insomuch as all
things shall be adjudged free which
shall be on board any vessel belonging
TO the neutral party, although such
! things belong 10 an enemy OF the
other; and the same freedom shall be
! extended to persons who shall be on
board a free vessel, although they
| should be enemies to the other party,
unless they be soldiers in actual ser
vice Of such enemy ~,
In general the protocol proposes that
the persons and property OF each party
shall in the event Of war be given the
same treatment as the persons and
property Of neutrals.
Text of German Protocol
The text Of the proposed new treaty
| follows:
"Ihe American treaty OF friendship
and commerce of July IL, 1899, pro-
| yides bv Article % for the treatment
/ OF the subjects or citizens OF the
/ two states and their property in
/ the event CT war between the two
/ states. This article, which is with
cut question in full force as re-
cards the relations between the Ger
\ man Empire and the United States,
requires certain explanations and ad-
I ditions on account Of the development
Of international law. The German
government, therefore, proposes that a
special arrangement be now signed, Of
which the English text is as follows;
Agreement between Germany and
! the United States Of America concern
ing the treatment of each others
citizens and their private property