White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-23


relations between two first class pow
ers has not eventually brought war
that which now exists between Ger
many and Italy.
Congress received the presidents
declaration of his course with mixed
evidences of concern and approba-
ton. Most of the leaders, democrats
and republicans. thought the presi-
dent hardly could do less, and some
expressed the opinion that his action
would not lead to war. Republican
Leader Mann alone of all the opposi-
ton leaders openly attacked the pres
/ ident for his stand. He characterized
it as political play.
President Wilson's words leave no
! opportunity for double meaning. In
his address to Congress he said:
Il have deemed it my duty to say
to the imperial German government
that if it is still its purpose to prose-
cute relentless and indiscriminate
MdiAaA0 AHt oof1A hAi1h VI Aa@
United States is at last forced to the
conclusion that there is but one
course it can pursue; and hat un-
less the imperial German government
should now, Immediately. declare and
effect an abandonment of its present
methods of warfare against passen-
oo. .rl F,1;nLt n arrx;pr uaoCa1C thic
government can have no choice but
to sever diplomatic relations alto
gether."
The note to Berlin declares:
The government of the United
States has been very patient.
1t has accepted the successive expla-
nations and assurances of the impe-
rial government as of course given in
entire sincerity and good faith, and
has hoped even against hope, that it
would prove to be possible for the
imperial government so to order and
control the acts of its naval COM
manders as to square it's policy with
the recognized principles of humani-
ty as embodied in the law of ma
tons. 1t has made every allowance
for unprecedented conditions and has
been willing to wait until the facts
became unmistakable and were sus-
ceptible of only one Interpretation.
ut 10Y owes it to a just regard
for its own rights to say to the i'm
perial government that that time has
ut has become painfully evident
to it that the position which it took
at the very outset is inevitable, name
ly, the use of submarines for the de-
struction of an enemy's commerce is
of necessity, because of the very
character of the vessels employed and
the very methods of attack which
their employment involves, ut
terly incompatible with the principles
of humanity, the long-established and
rights of neutrals and
the sacred immunities of noncom-
batants.
IF it still is the purpose of the
imperial government to prosecute re-
lentless and indiscriminate warfare
against vessels of commerce by the
use of submarines, without regard to
what the government of the United
States must consider the sacred and
indisputable rules of international
law and the universally recognized
dictates of humanity, the government
of the United States is at last forced
to the conclusion that here is but one
course it ear pursue.
unless the imperial government
now Immediately declare and effect
an abandonment of its present meth
DDS of submarine warfare against
passenger and freight-carrying yes
sells, the government of the United
States can have no choice but to sever
diplomatic relations with the German
empire altogether. This action the
government of the United States con
templates with the greatest reluc.
lance, but feels constrained to take
in behalf of humanity and the rights
of neutral nations"
The word of the presidents plar
spread quickly through congress ant
when he took his place at the clerk
desk in the hall of the house prompt
ly at one o'clock, he was confronted
by an assembly of gravely quiet sen
ators and representatives who hum
intently upon every word he uttere,
and cheered him heartily when h
had finished.
The president asked nothing o
congress; he came only to inform l
of his action. He did 1t in fifteel
minutes and congress went back t
work, solemnly impressed with tn