The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1916-04-26
On Regard To Her Sub
marine Warfare.
THE CRISIS IS NOW At HAND
Severance OF Diplomatic Rela'
tons Will Follow Germany's
Refusal To Accede.
PLAIN AND EMPHATIC WORDS


Wilson's long expected final warrinl
to Germany that the United State
would brpJk off diplomatic relations
unless she abandons her present
immediately declares her intention
to do so, delivered to-day in note
10 Berlin, was announced by Presi
dent Wilson in an address to a joint
session OF Congress.
Presid an. Wilson demands roth
ing less than an abandonment OF
'submarint warfare against corr
merce.
Both the Presidents address and
the American rote declare ii u.,e-
uuivocal t""'Is that only by Germa-
ny acceding - the demand .Gu a
breaking off of relations altogetE er
be prevented.
The President considers the next
step depends solely upon Germany
and that three or four days will con-
stitute reasonable time for reply.
lie is willing TO discuss how the sub
marine warfare may be conducted
within the limits of International
law and humanity after Germany
abandons her present methods.
Diplomatic history records but
one instance as yet where the break
ing off of relations between two
first-class powers has not eventually
brought war-that now existing be-
tween Germany and Italy.
Congress received the Presidents
declaration of his course with mixed
evidences of concern and approba-
tion. Most of the leaders, Demo-
Gratis and Republicans, thought the
President hardly could do less, and
some expressed the opinion his ac-
ton would not lead to war.
Republican Leader Mann alone, of
all the opposition leaders, openly at
tackled the President for his stand.
He characterized it as political play.
The Presidents words leave no
opportunity for double meaning. In
his address to Congress he said:
81 have deemed it my duty to say
to the Imperial German Government
If it is still its purpose to prosecute
relentless and indiscriminate war,
at last would be forced to the con-
clusion that there is but one course
it can pursue; that unless the Impe
rial German Government should
now, Immediately, declare in effect
an abandonment of its present meth
DDS of warfare against passenger
and freight carrying vessels, this
Government can have no choice but
TO sever diplomatic relations alto
gether."
The note to Berlin declares the
United States Government has been
very patient, and has hoped against !
hope that it would prove possible for
the Imperial Government to so order
and control the acts of it's naval |
commanders as to square its policy |
with the recognized principles of hui
manity.
The United States has made every
allowance for unprecedented condi- |
tiOns, and has been willing to wait |
the note says, until the facts be-
came unmistakable and were suscep-
tible to only one Interpretation.
1T now owes il to the Just regard |
for its own rights to say to the I'M
perial Government that the time has
come.
If il is still the purpose of the
Imperial Government to prosecute a
relentless and indiscriminate war
fare against vessels by the use of
submarines without regard to what
the United States must consider sa-
cred the indisputable rules of in
ternational law and universally rec
ognized dictates of humanity, the
government of the United States at
last is forced to the conclusion that
there is but one course it can pur-
sue.
UNLESS the Imperial Government
should now Immediately declare and
fleet an abandonment of the pres
ent methods of submarine warfare
against passenger and freight car
rying vessels, 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 feels constrained to take in
behalf of humanity and the rights of
neutral nations"
Bernstorff Cables Berlin.
Washington, April 19.-Count
Won Bernstorff. the German ambas-
sador. sent Berlin tonight a long