In other words. if to take over these ships as proposed by this joint resolution it would violate any of the provisions of our treaties with Germany. I will read part of the letter which the Secretary of State wrote to the President on that subject. as follows.:. It may be argued that the treaties of :1828. 17.39. and 1785 would he violated by requisitioning the German refugee vessels. The only stipulation of those treaties bearing on this point is article 23 of the treaty of 1799. providing in cise of war " the merchants of either country then residing in the oilier shall be allowed to remain nine months to collect their debts and settle their affairs and may depart freely. carrying off all their effects. without molestation or hindrance." As most of the German vessels are owned by nonresident (German corporations. with only operating agents here. only two or three vessels hyIng in our insular ports being possibly owned by Germans residing there. it would seem that this stipulation of the treaty would as a practical matter have little application to vessels in the United States ports. Now I will answMer tle gentleman from Iowa [Mr.