The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-04-22
Diplomatic Break Doesn't Always Mean
 War Declaration

If it should so happen that the United States should break off diplo- matic relations with Germany, it would not by any means indicate that the countries would be any nearer at war with each other than they are now. countries have been out of diplomatic relationship for long periods of years, notably Great Britain and Venezuela, when their celebrated boundary dis pute was on, and nothing really seri- ous occurred. They just quit talking to each other in an official and dip1o- matic way. but that was about all there was to it untiL>diplomatic rela- tions were resumed.
 In the event that the United States and Germany were unable to fix up their present differences and a break should come Uncle Sam would give Ambassador Von Bernstorh his pass port back to Germany. He would even take the trouble to see to it that the passports were delivered at the German Embassy by a regular messen- ger frona%the State Departne nent. At the same time or thereab outs Am bassador Gerard would receive in Ber- lin his official walking papers from the Kaiser.
 The United States has been looking out for Germany's interests in Great Britain, Russia, France, Serbia and Japan since the beginning of the Euro pean war and, of course, the duty that was entrusted to this country would be transferred to some other nation. Simultaneously. the United States would surrender similar tasks of looking after the interests of Great Britain, Russia. France, BeI-t giun, Serbia and Japan in Germany. These in turn might be turned over to neutral nation in South America. oSr714 14rr busy on the continent doing neigh borly work for the countries involved and consuls have been having a very busy time keeping things straight for nearly all the belligerents.
 It would be safer, however, for war to be precipitated' between the two nations with a severanceE of diplomatic relations than if they were still on speaking terms, and this is the great reason that men are hoping that noth- ing will occur that will result in the return. of diplomatic officials, to their respective lands. Things would be strained in both countries and people and officials wouldn't be, so inclined to fight shy of offending the other fellow as in the Adays of diplomatic dealings,
 .Adstrfa-Hungary broke off dipIo- mat1c relations with Mexico in 1867, following the execution of Emp eror NIaxini11ian, an Austrian archduke, and until the late EOS their former relations were not resum ed. Still, nobody thought of doing any fighting. Peru and Chile have no diplomatic repr resentatives today and Germany and Italy are enjoying what is call ed ftsuspended intercourse" but still they are at war. although both are on different sides in the same war.
 If the United States should break f< going on record as disa approving of Gerplany's s conduct, it ism tat all likely that they would become good friends again until after the European war, is over. It would also eliminate any. chances that the President. of this Sre- public might have in acting as a peacemaker between the present bel yident, did when he helped to straight en out strife between Japan and Rus sia
 If there should be war between Ger many and the United States following a severance of diplomatic relations by reason of a war like act on the part of one or bofa nations, one of the first official acts of the United States, in ali Likelihood, would be to seize the many big German steamships now in termed in American ports.
 Possibly, the United States would not be obliged to send her warships abroad, as the German navy is tied up and the combined fleets of her ene- mics will try hard to keep them where. they are, and perhaps it wouldn't be necessary to raise an army to defend itself from attack, but it is veryt likely that this country would use all it's re- sources in furnishing guns and annu- hilton supplies for the Allies that might tend to hasten the end of the war.
 The United States could use the German ships that she would seize for the purp of carrying supplies to Germeny's enemies anG, if Germany torpedoed them she would have so m any ships less at the end Of the war, as it is understood the interned ships
 ny,st be returned at the close of the struggle.