The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1916-04-28
PRESIDENT WILSON
ISSUES ULT|MATUM
sERMANS MUST CEASE SUB
MARINE ATTACKS OR BREAK
WITH AMERICANS.
Long Expected Final Warning Deliv-
cred in Note to Berlin and An
nounced by President in
Address to Congress.

Washington. - President Wilson's
ong-expected final warning to Ger
many that the United States will break
off diplomatic relations unless she
ibandons her present methods of sub
marine warfare and Immediately de-
.lares her intention to do so, was de
ivered on April 10 in a note to Berlin
and also was announced by the presi.
lent in an address to a joint session OF
congress.
The president considers that the,
aext step depends solely upon Ger
many and that three or four days con
stitute reasonable time for a reply.
Diplomatic history records but one
Instance as yet where breaking of
elations between two first-class pow
srs has not eventually brought war
hat 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-
ion leaders openly attacked the presi-
lent for his stand. He characterize
It as a political play.
President Wilson's words leave no
opportunity for double meaning. In
ais address to congress he said:
Il have deemed it my duty to say to
he imperial German government that
( it is still it's purpose to prosecute
relentless and indiscriminate warfare
he government of the United States
at last forced to the conclusion that
there is but one course it can pursue;
md that unless the imperial German
government should now. Immediately,
declare and effect an abandonment OF
is present methods of warfare
against passenger and freight carrying
ressels this government can have no
choice but to sever diplomatic rela-
lions altogether
The note to Berlin declares:
'"The government of the United
States has been very patient.
lions and assurances of the imperial
government as, of course, given in en-
ire sincerity and good faith, and ha;
hoped even against hope that it would
prove to be possible for the imperial
government so to order and control the
acts of its naval commanders as to
square it's policy with the recognized
principles of humanity as embodied
in the law of nations. 1t has made
every allowance for unprecedented
conditions and has been willing to
wait until the facts became unmis
taxable and were susceptible of only
one Interpretation
ut now owes It to just regard for
its own rights to say to the imperial
government that that time has come.
"It has become painfully evident to
II that the position which 1t took at
the outset is inevitable, namely. the
use of submarines for the destruction
of an enemys commerce is of neces-
sity. because of the very character OF
the vessels employed and the very
methods of attack which their employ
ment of course involves. utterly In
compatible with the principles of hui
tnanity. the long established and in
controvertible rights of neutTais and
the sacred immunities of non-combat-
ants.
'If it still is the purpose of the i'm
perial government to prosecute re-
Ientless and indiscriminate warfare
against vessels of commerce by the
use of submarines, without regard to
what the government Of the United
States must consider the sacred and
rules of International
law and the universally recognized
dictates of humanity, the government
of the United States is at last forced
to the conclusion that there is but one
course it can pursue.
Unless the imperial government
should now Immediately declare and
effect an abandonment of its present
methods of submarine warfare against
passenger and freight-carrying yes .
sells. the government of the United
States can have no choice but to sever
relations with the German
empire altogether. This action the
of the United States con-
templates with the greatest reluct'
ance. but feels constrained to take in
behalf of humanity and the rights OF
neutral nations"
Had the recent attack on the chan
mel steamer Sussex, the note tells Ger
many. been an isolated case, the
United States might have hoped that
the submarine commander acted IN
violation OF his government solemn
pledges and that the ends OF justice
might have been satisfied by disa
vowal. reparation and his proper pun
lshment. But. it adds, this case 'un
happily does not stand alone I"
The United States, the comrnunica'
ton declares, considers the torpedo
Inx OF the Sussex not only proved py
me evidence, but actually substantist
ed by the German disclaimer Of ~
3