AMERICA AND GERMANY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16499, 27 March 1917, Page 4

AMERICA AND GERMANY.

The announcement that the American Department of State has ordered all American officials .and; relief workers to leave-Belgium suggests that .'in Washington war with Germany is regarded y: as ':;■■-; imminent. . American' agents have: done magnificent relief work in Belgium. Their withdrawal will be deplored in every civilised country, but as citizens of a state at war with Germany their activities would cease and they would be treated by the Germans in occupation with as little consideration as the Belgians are treated. On the German side it has ; been assumed from ■ the date of the |i breach of relations that .- war would result. American sailors were illegally held as prisoners and efforts wero made to put such constructions on- treaties and agreements as would be favourable to Germany. It was proposed from Berlin that in the event of wa,r Germans in America and "Americans ir Germany should be allowed to return; to their respective ■ countries. This would be a one-sided exchange if- it could be effected, but it is not very ■ clear how the Germans J in America : were ■: to -reach a Gorman port. ; Further, the German Foreign Office : has ; endeavoured "to persuade the United 'States Government that it had agreed not to seize interned ships. It appears that the; American Government had stated that, even in th event of war, •it had "ho' intention of seizing bank deposits or other property belonging to : German subjects resident in America,' but e . ships taking refuge in American ports were ,not ; included in .this exceedingly , generous undertaking, ~ and' there: is '■■ no doubt that they -will! be seized whenever wards declared. It would seem; from the action taken by America that the date of this declaration is drawing very near..