Middletown transcript., 1917-02-10

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. wilson naS
broken Off diplomatic relations with
Germany and warned the Kaiser that
ruthless sacrifice of American lives
and rights means war.
Similar action Is waiting for AUS
tria when she notifies this Govern
ment that she joins in the campaign
of unrestricted submarine warfare.
The President made formal an
nouncement of his action to the coun-
try and to the world Saturday at
joint session of Congress.
Passports have been handed TO
Count Won Bernstorff; Ambassador
Garard with all his staff and all Amerl-
can consuls have been ordered out OF
Germany. All German consul5 In the
United States are expected to with
draw, that the severance OF relations
may be complete. American dipio-
matte interests in Berlin have been
turned over to Spain; German d1pio-
matte interests in the United States
have been taken over by Switzerland.
Foreign diplomatic interests which
the United States had in charge IN
Germany have been turned over TO
various neutrals.
Two years Of diplomatic negotia-
tions, marked with frequent CRISIS.
and attended with the loss o? more
than zoe American lives On the high
seas, have eliminated with an act
which in all the history of all the
world has always led to war. Every
agency of the American Government
has been set in motion 70 protect the
country against acts OF German SYM
pathizers. These moves are OF neces-
sity being kept secret.
With the notice Of severance OF reia-
tions the United States sent to Berlin
a demand for the immediate release OF
"a Americans taken from ships cap
tured by German raiders in the South
Atlantic.
At the request Of the President,
Congress Immediately sitter hearing
his address began work on new laws
framed by the Department Of Justice
TO check conspiracies and plots against
the United States which cannot now
be reached under existing statutes.
The question Of conveying American
merchant ships through the submarine
blockade has been taken Up and Is be-
ing considered as one Of the next
moves by this Government.
Neutral governments have been noti-
fed OF the action Of the United States
and have openly been invited to fol
low its action il the new submarine
campaign violates their rights.
The breaking off OF relations came
with crash, despite the fact that it
mad been discounted and practically
determined upon Friday night. The
President returned from his night con-
ference with the Senators determined
that a break in relations was the only
act consistent with the dignity and
the honor OF the Unitad States"
Count Won BeTnstorf while ap-
parently deeply moved. was not sur
prised. His first act was to ask DR..
Paul Ritter, the Swiss Minister, to
come 70 tho German Embassy and
prepare to take oyer rs affairs. Then
he informed his wife, an American
born woman, Of the development and
likewise told the embassy staff. His
passports we're not actually delivered
until o'clock IL the afternoon. While
the President was addressing Congress
one of Secretary I-ansing's confidential
assistants called at the embassy and
delivered the passports ard note IL
reply to ihe German declaration.
President Wilson kept himself II
scclusion during the morning, excep'
for brief conference with Secretary
Lansing, until he left tie White House
for the Capitol. In preparation for The
history making event. the Senate ant
House ha1 assembled in the hall o.
the latter body, Justices Of the Su
preme Court had seats on the floor, the
Cabinet sat in a reserved space. Am
bassador Jusserand, of France, occu
pied his reserved seat il the diplo
matte gallery, which was packed, prin
cipally with neutrals, who came te
hear words IF far-reaching Importance
affecting their own governments.
AS uS I'd. Il ISitiiIiktcC " Ct1iSzl 6oo
meu met the President and escorted
hiIn to tae Speakers eiais. The whole
body rose and cbcercd as the Presi
dent, acknowledging the;r greeting
without his usual smile. bat grim
faced ana solemn. took his place a
tie clerks desk aud began readin:
his address.
when he told how the German proc
lamatian eft nothing fer the honor
and dignity Of the United States bu
a break In relations and that he hat
ordered passports sent to Won Bern
storff and = recall to Mr.. Gerard, tn
assemGlage broke into a cheer, IL
which Republicans and Democrat
alike Joined. More applause greete'
his declaration that only an overt ac
could convince him that Germany In
tended 10 violate American lives ant
rights, and there was prolonged az
plause and cheering when he conclud
-