Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1916-04-28
Wilson Informs Con-
gress Of Action.
ASKS PROMPT ANSWER
President Insists Submarine A.
taCks Must Cease.

racks MUST cease.
Washington, April 20-President
Wilson's long expected final warning
to Germany that the United States
will break off diplomatic relations un-
less she abandons her present methods
Of submarine warfare, and immediate
ly declares her intention to do so, was
delivered in note to Berlin and was
announced by the president in an ad-
dress to joint session of congress.
The president demands nothing less
than the abandonment of submarine
warfare against commerce.
Both the presidents address and the
American note declare in unequivocal
terms that only by Germany accedirg
to the demands can the breaking Off
of relations altogether be prevented.
The president considers that the
next step depends solely upon Ger
many and that three or four days con-
stitute reasonable time for reply.
He is willing to discuss how subma-
rine warfare may be conducted within
the limits of International law and
humanity after Germany abandons her
present methods.
Note May Lead to War.
Congress received the presidents
declaration of his course with mixed
evidences Of concern and appreciation.
| Most of the leaders, Democratic and
| Republicans. thought the president
hardly could do less and some ex-
| pressed the opinion that his action
| would lead to war.
| all the opposition leaders, openly at
tackled the president for his stand. He
characterized 1t 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 II it is still its purpose to prose
cute relentless and indiscriminate war
fare. the government of the
United States is at least forced to the
conclusion that there is but one course
1t can pursue. and that unless the i'm
perial German government should
now. Immediately. declare and effect
an abandonment Of its present meth
DDS of warfare against passenger and
freight carrying vessels. this govern
mont can have no choice but to sever
diplomatic relations altogether"
Tho note to Berlin declares:
Has Been Very Patient.
The government Of the United
States has been very patient.
It has accepted the successive expla-
nations and assurances of the imperial
German government as, of course,
given in entire sincerity and good
faith and has hoped, even against
hope. that it would prove to be posi-
BILE for the imperial government so to
order and control the acts of it's naval
commanders as to square its policy
with the recognized principles of hu.
lnanity ~ embodied in the law Of ma
tons.
1T has made every allowance for
unprecedented conditions and has
been willing to wait until the facts be.
came unmistakable and were suscepti,
BILE OF only one Interpretation
1T now owes it to a just regard for
its own rights to say to the imperial
government that that time has come
1T has become painfully evident to
1t that the position which it took at
the very outset is inevitable. namely,
the use of submarines for the destruc-
necessity, because of the very charac-
ter Of the vessels employed and the
very methods of attack which their
employment, Of course, involves, ut
terly incompatible with the principles
OF humanity, the long established and
incontrovertible rights of neutrals and
the sacred immunities Of noncom bat
ants"
Copies Given Nsutrals.
Copies of the American note were
sent to representatives here of neutral
nations, on the assumption that they |
are az much interested as the United |
States in the protection OF neutral |
rights. The document was not given |
to any of the belligerent diplomats as
the recent controversy is regarded as |
being solely between the United States |
and Germany
Count Won Bernstorff already has re !
iterated to Secretary Lansing that un- |
der no circumstances will GERMANY
give up the submarine as a weapon of |
warfare. because. she contends ii is a !
retaliation for Great Britain's food |
blockade.
The ambassador has declared. how
ever. that his government will attempt !
to bring submarine operations within ,
the law OF nations. This, the United |