OCR Text |
Show CRIPPLING A TREATY. Germany's latest note relates to the rigorous treaties of 1785, 1799 and jjj- 1828 concluded between the United Htatc nthl the Prussian governawati In those treaties an apparently clear and aimplo clause is now made the sub-a sub-a ject of arbitration at the request of li Germany, which does not wish to adhere ad-here to the obvious meaning of tho ' agreement regarding contraband. While Set many displays a conciliatory spirit it is the United States which is required re-quired to perform the conciliatory acts, to abido by a German interpretation of the treaties until arbitration has settled set-tled definitely what the agreement as to contraband really means. The agreement provides that wheo either country is at war the country at peace shall be permitted to continue its trade as usual. A vessel of the country at pence may be detained if it carries contraband, but must not bo stink. The contraband can be seized, but must be paid for. In view of the conditions of modern warfare it must be conceded that the treaty is rather severe on Germany. Her submarines would be of little use if they could not sink neutral vessels carrying contraband, and yet the treaty, according to the American interpreta-fl interpreta-fl lion, forbids the sinking of an American Ameri-can vessel, even if it have absolute ! j contraband aboard. Germany uow proposes to make a distinction between vessels carrying absolute and those currying conditional C0ntrabahd If a vessel carries arms and ammunition it will be sunk; if it carries foodstuffs hot destined for the S enemy forces it will be permitted to fj proceed on its Way if it cannot be taken into port by the German warship which gl detains it. y It looks very much as if the German government had adopted a "German in-! in-! terpretatibn " in plain contradiction of the indisputable terms of the treaty and in the hope of dragging out the arbitration until the end of the war. it; In this way her submarines can continue con-tinue to sink American vessels carry-iug carry-iug absolute contraband. It is not likely that much sympathy will be wasted on American shipowners engaged in contraband trade. Thin :jt trade, although recognized by international interna-tional law, is conditioned by the risk of capture. Anyone can engage in the trade, but lie must take the risk of losing his cargo. The treaty with Prussia Prus-sia appears to give the non-belligerent country extraordinary protection over and above the usual rules applying to ! contraband, rind Germany maintains that, such extraordinary protection is not feally provided by the terms of the treaty, despite the plain wording of the agreement. If the contention will hold i water until the end of the war Ger-l Ger-l many 's purpose will have been served sufficiently. After that there probably will be a new treaty. |