The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-20
Germany Must Mend Ito Ways
or Become Involved in Seri-
Gus Situation With Thi.
Country
WASHINGTON DOES NOT
BELIEVE THAT WAR
WILL FOLLOW BREAK
Note Ultimatum on Question
of Diplomatic Relations. but
Not Ultilnatum on Question
OF War Between Countries

Washington. April 19.-Presi-
dent Wilson has said his last
word on the submarine contro-
NerSy.
He has told Germany nc will
break of diplomatic relations un.
less present methods OF subnaa-
iinC warfare are Immediately
abandoned.
Congress was so informed to-
day. when the President went In
person before the assembled
House and senate and told them
what he had done,
An hour later the State Depart.
ment received word that the note
had bean delivered to the foreign
oilico Ia Berlin. Ii was then given
out for publication.
THE SITUATION.
The best obtzainabie official and
diplomatic opinion - That the situ-
alton tonight between the two
governments IL as follows:
The note 10 Germany is an ulti-
matum, so far as the question Of
seyeFing diplomatic relations -
concerned. Ii Is not an uitiInatlIn
ON any question relating to war
between tho two countries.
The United States rests Its cse0.
for the present on this note. ex.
ptctjug "a reply from Germany
within reasonable time, prob
ably a week.
III the German government sug-
gcssts any means of complying
with the demands, the UniteO
States will entertain them. Hut
rs condition precedent to any
such suggestions there must be an
Affirmative declaration that pres.
erit submarine methods will be
suspended. The United States
wants no more boats sunk in vi0-
iation of International law, nm
administration official said. while
il IN discussing the issue with Gers
Tsaany.
THE NEXT MOvI,.
If Germany refuses to declare
It's abandonment OF present meth.
DDS of warfare. the United States
must break off diplomatic rcla-
tiofss. This would be done by 70. ].
calling Ambassador Gerard and
giving Count Won Bcrnstorn hts
passports.
Whether war followed would
depend on the future submarine
operations of Germany.
Must Have Immediate Declaration
This statement was made at tn
tate Department:
'Ifnless Germany declares an aban
of present methods OF sub
.arine warfare diplomatic relation
III he broken off. We ask an trnne
late declaration of this abandon
lent."
At the White House Ii was said
Up to the present time German.
as practically been judge OF her owl
ctions. Henceforth the United state
III be the Judge. No further ex
ianations will be sought. but til.
overnment will act In accordance
18th the note"
No hint came from Berlin tonigh
. TO G'ermany's probable action. il
plomatic quarters here, however
here officials are skilled in the SCI
zee OF overcoming apparently ins,ir
ountable obstacles, 1t was suggest
lat German may he abba to give a.
frances with honor to herself ana
ltisfaction to this government.
fSrHtsNOfH 10 NdlI IUI0y.
Count Won Bernstorff, the GernaAs
n bassador, will call on Secretary soj
ate Lansing tomorrow. Hc VII
make preliminary state
ent OF the probable intention Of hfs
,vernment and assure the secretary
it's desire to continue its p-eseg.'
iendiy relations with the untta6
ates. I'll
II was regarded as significan. thA1
, orders were given to the state
'ar or Navy Departments loJkin1
ward preparation for possible -
It'll Germany.
The most serious possibility seeN
I administration officials, apparenk14
as that n break in relations sniekt
tsue. No one seemed to feel thai
days action might involve the ~
on In war with Germany.
It was evident also that the 0tAtt
apartment did not intend. evoa A
iations should be broken with Qer:
any. To suspend al intercourse
II was said that no instruc4f