South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-08
JUNE 8. 1921
THE VERSAILLES TREATY AND SHIPS.

How well the United States government will sue
oeed in It's determination 70 hold the German ships
seized in our ha-bors after the declaration of war
or previously interncd under the neutrality laws.
remains 70 be seen. Some international lawyers
maintain and the question 70 be puzzing the
house Of representatives, that passage OF the Knox
senate resolution repeating the declaration Of war.
and thus expufging our part in the conflict Will
enttle Germany to those ships if not damages for
their retention and for whatever has been done 10
them including their use.
The situation is more or less complicated. After
the seizure and the declaration of war congress
authorized the president take title to these ships
which ne did, mind you by Authority Of congress
but to the extent they the private proper
" Of Germany. which OF them were. this
raises question as the validity Of such title
other property Of German citizens taken by the
government during the war, conhscated by the
alien property custodian and is gradually being re-
covered or the theory that it taken to proven:
its use in Germanys behalf. and that the war
Il all but technically over the necessity ceases to
exist
Approaching the situation Pres't Wilson had read
into tho Versailles treaty something to protect US
Furthermore it IS the only protection that we have
vague indeed. since have not ratified the treaty
and are party to 1t. some international lawyers
argue that Germany having accepted it Is estopped
from raising the question but this is by means
the universal opinion Of such lawyers. Germany
ratihed The treaty only those powers who also
ratified it, which leaves US just outside the fold
The treaty
Germany valves all claims of any descrip-
ton against allied and associated govern
ments and their nationals in respect of the
detention, employment, loss or damage of any
German shiIs boats. exception being made
of payments due in respect of the employment
of ships in conformity with the armistice
agreement of Jan. ID, 1919. and subsequent
agreements. The handing over Of the ships Of
German mercantile marine must be continued
without interruption in accordance with the
said agreement
The treaty contains this additional provision:
'No claim or action shall be made or brought
against any allied associated power or
against any person acting on behalf Of or under
the direction Of any legal authority depart
ment of the government of such power by
Germany by any German national wherever
resident in respect of any act omission with
regard to his property rights interests
during the war or I'm preparation for the war.
Similarly claim action shall be made or
brought against any person in respect of any
omission under or in accordance with
the exceptional war measures. laws or regula-
tions of any allied associated power"
And thus nice complicated questions continue
to arise as result the senates determination
not TO ratify treaty playing politics with mat
ter Of much importance-and the American peo-
Piles slip-shod way of voting things fire.
quently. without considering the consequences True
ouring the campaign. were told by one element
Of the victorious party if successful the
would be ratified while by another element W.
were assured that it never would be.-and the peo-
pie choosing that conflicting brand Of assurance are
getting what they getting Luckily however the
lower house of congress has awakened TO the stua-
ton. and though it may vote state OF at
end" viii refuse repeal the declaration,
and read our entrance into the war out of exist
Evidently there are some congressman who be-
lieve our part IN the great conflict too great
% De expurged in that that state OF war
cd exist at the time OF the declaration-and while
Il saay have since ceased 70 exist. ought to pre-
serve our rights as belIEerents. and what we did
while beIligerents until proper settlement OF the
peace BY treaty. made.