The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-04-20
WHATWllL
HAPPEN If
We BREAK?
Ambassadors Probably viii
Be Recalled: War Possibly
Might Follow
SITUATION EXPLAINED


20.-Inclusion OF the word
altogether" in President
Wilson's threat OF sever
ance of diplomatic rela-
tions with Germany was
merely for emphasis, the
state department said to-
day.
II would not indicate
the extent to which the
severance might go.
" Germany attempts Iss IA
rIliar dlIIy-daIlyino tactics,
and does not reply TO Wilson's
note within what he believes 10
. reasonable time, II b prob
able that the president would
hand Ambassador Won eern-
ssorff HE passports, seeorpiish-
Ing the break In relations.
A break could be accomplished
merely by recalling Ambassador
Gerard
Probably Ambassador Won Bern
storff might be handed his pass
ports, but that would not be essen
tial
While withdrawal OF Americans
from Germany would not be neces
sary. this might be included. althc
officials said circumstances would
govern this situation"
War Chances Remote
Any further eventuality. like q
declaration of war. would come. In
all likelihood. from Germany. II II
came at all. The chances. however
OF war between this country and
Germany. even In case OF a sever
ance OF relations. are remote.
Even II war came. the United
States probably would not partici
pate with ships or troops.
The greatest service to the al
lies. and the greatest blow TO Ger
many, thru a break with the Unit
ed States, would be a further mo
bilization OF American credit on
the side OF the allies.
Hard Economic 6lceps
The United States n IN no post
ton 10 strike hard military blow
but the United States has tre
mendous economic biceps.
Suppose congress votes billion
dollars credit to be expended FOL
every sort OF thing the allies most
need.
Suppose the United States gov
eminent follows the example of
the warning nations and takes over
all plants which may by any pos
sibility be converted TO the manu-
facture Of arms and ammunition
that will be mobilizing to help the
allies.
Experts are all agreed that
the supreme test ls TO be the
supply OF ammunition.
In answering this question.
the United States can have
large say--our credit and our
gold may easily tip the scales
for victory.
Mobilization OF American
credit In favor Of the allies 10
more to be feared by Germany
than anything our navy or our
army may do as things now
stand.
Fear Internal Trouble
The greatest danger to the Unit
ed States in a break with Germany
would probably be internal
The possibility that Jealous pa
triots from the Fatherland Twins
in the U. s. might direct their plots
OF destruction against American
lives and property has ALREADY
caused a suggestion to go fortf
from Washington for a strengthen
ing OF the guard maintained oyei
ammunition factories. ships. docks
and other strategic points.
Vast property rights In the Unit
ed States, owned by citizens oi
Germany, would be liable 10 con
flscation IN case Of war.
On the other hand. considerable
investments owned by Americans
in Germany are subject TO confis
cation by the German government
60 Vessels tnterned
Sixty-eight German vessels now
interned in the ports OF the United
States-because this country at the
beginning Of the great war declar
ed Itself "neutral"-are subject 70
seizure.
When a country declares war
the commerce Of its enemy Is le
gitimate prey.
So-in the war between the Unit
ed States and Germany, Germany
would find its merchant marine
now laid up In our ports. used
&gainst her.