The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1916-04-28
PRESIDENT WILSON
ISSUES ULTIMATUM
GERMANS MUST CEASE SUB
MARINE ATTACKS OR BREAK
WITH AMERICANS.
Long Expected Final Warning oellV-
cred in Note to Berlin and An
nouneed by President in
Address to Congress.

Washir gton. President Wilson's
long-expected final warning to Ger
many that the United States will break
off diplomatic relations unless she
abandons her present methods OF sub
marine warfare and Immediately de
clares her intention to do so, was de
livered on April 10 in note to Berlin
and also was announced by the presi
dent in an address to a joint session OF
congress.
The president considers that the |
| Nxt step depends solely upon Ger
many and that three or four days con |
| stitute a reasonable time for reply.
Diplomatic history records but one
instance as yet where a breaking OF
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 appreciation,
Most of the leaders. democrats ana
Republicans, thought the president
hardly could do less, and some ex-
pressed the opinion that his action
would not lead to war Republican
Leader Mann alone of all the opposi-
ton leaders openly attacked the presi-
dent 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:
81 have deemed it my duty to say to
the imperial German government that
if it is still its purpose to prosecute
relentless and indiscriminate warfare
the government of the United States
is at last forced to the conclusion that
there is but one course IL can pursue I;
and that unless the imperial German
government should now, Immediately
declare and effect an abandonment oil
its present methods OF warfare
against passenger and freight carrying
vessels this government can have nc
choice but to sever diplomatic rela
tions altogether"
The note to Berlin declares:
1.-THE government of the United
States has been very patient.
It has accepted the successive explana
lions and assurances Of the imperia
government as, of course, given in en-
tire sincerity and good faith, and ha
hoped even against hope that it would
prove to be possible for the impeTia
government SO to order and control tn
acts of it's naval commanders as L
square it's policy with the recognizes
principles of humanity as embodle'
in the law of nations. II has mad
every allowance for unprecedentet
conditions and has been willing Z
wait until the facts became unmis
taxable and were susceptible OF onl
one Interpretation.
at now owes it to just regard 10
its own rights to say to the imperla
government that that time has come.
ut has become painfully evident I
II that the position which il took a
the outset is inevitable, namely, tn
use of submarines for the destructio
of an enemy's commerce is Of nece
sity. because of the very character
the vessels employed and the yer
methods of attack which their emplo,
ment of course involves, utterly Il
compatible with the principles OF NJ
mainly. the long established and Il
conference.-the rights of neutrals an
the sacred immunities of non comDa
ants
"If it still is the purpose of the II
nerial government to prosecute r
lentless and indiscriminate warfal
against vessels of commerce by II
use of submarines, without regard
what the government of the Unite
States must consider the sacred al
indisputable rules OF information
law and the universally recognize
dictates of humanity, the goyernme
of the United States is at last fore
to the conclusion that there is but OF
. course it can pursue.
Unless the imperial governme
in. should now Immediately declare al
tie effect an abandonment OF Its prese
methods of submarine warfare again
ev passenger and freight-carrying VI
w.. sells. the government Of the Unit
-, States can have no choice but to sew
diplomatic relations with the Germ
empire altogether. This action |
Fly, government OF the United States c.
os- templates with the greatest relu
ance. but feels constrained TO take
behalf OF humanity and the rights
an neutral nations"
en- had the recent attack on the chi
OsL mel steamer Sussex, the note tells G
MANY. been an isolated case,
United States might have hoped Il
lgs the submarine commander acted
violation of his governments sole
. pledges and that the ends Of just
NS might have been satisfied by d
vowal. reparation and his proper p
ishment But. il adds, this case :
" happily does not stand alone
"On the contrary" the note sa
"the government of the United Sta
..or is forced by recent events 20 concH
tel. that il is only one instance, e.
I 81 tho most extreme