The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-02-20
u. s. BROKE OFF
 . RELATIONS ON 2 OTHER occasions
Severed Diplomatic Con nections with Brazil in
 1927, Mexico in 1858

1 of war or an outbreak of hostilities. l But both of these breaches were with countries almost incomparable with Germany their strength and inn | portance. The causes of the difficulty were also in both instances almost 1 incomparable in their importance with the issues involved in the pres | ent severance of relations with Ger l many which concern the alleged vio- lation of the rights of Americans to travel unmolested on the high seas 1 and theand the peril of sacrifice of
 their lives by submarine attacks.
 The two breaches of the past re- ferred to were with Brazil in 1927 and l with Mexico in 1858. They were both trif1ing affairs, unimportant in their ! consequences and did not last long. The present severance. of diplo-
 matic relations with Germany, ac- | companied with the dismissal of Count Johan von Bernstorff and the withdrawal of American Ambassador Gerard, was a deliberate act taken by k the president of the United. States after warning had been given to Ger many that such action would be taken under certain conditions, whereas the l two previous breaks were acts of the
 American envoys on their own initia- tive and without consultation with the state department or the president. On the two previous occasions the countries to which the American en- voysj were accredited did not with draw their representatives to the United States. In 1927 the United States severed diplomatic relations with Brazil be- cause it was alleged Brazilian naval officers used methods in relation to blockade and to neutral navigation which American naval officers resist ed.s The first step in breaking off these relations was taken by the American charge d'affaires, who under the impression that his representa- tions in behalf of the rights and in- terests of American citizens were to- tally disregarded in the diplomatic
 discussions at Rio Janeiro following the offenses complained of, considered it his duty, without waiting for in
 structions, to terminate his official
 functions, to demand his passports
 and return to the United States.
 .'This action, dictated by an honest
 zeal for the honor and interest of his country-motives which operated ex-
 clusively on the mind of the officer
 who resorted to it-has not been dis
 approved by me-" said President
 John Quincy Adams, in referring to the incident, in his annual message
 to congress on December 4, 1927
 The Brazilian government, how
 ever, complained of the hasty action
 taken by the American charge d'af-
 faires, which Brazil held, was unwar-
 ranted and upon assurances Sby Bra
 gil that a successor to the late rep
 resentative would be received and
 treated with respect due his charac- ter, and that indemnity would be
 made for all injuries inflicted on American citizens and their property, another charge d'affaires was ap- pointed and the ordinary diplomatic intercourse and friendly relations re- stored.
 Break With Mexico in 1858.
 The breach in diplomatic relations with Mexico which occurred in 1858 was brought about by the levying by the Mexican government of contribu- lions from all capital in the republic, | whether held by Mexicans or foreign CTS. 'h
 MT. Forsythe, the American min | ister to Mexico, protested and advlsed his country1nen not to pay the con tribution, but to make Mexico TOT cibly exact it. Acting upon this ad- vice, an American citizen refused to pay the contribution, and his property | was seized by armed men to satlsfy | the amount. The Mexican govern ment proceeded still further and is- sued a decree banishing the Ameri- 's Minister Forsyth immediately noti- fled the Mexican government that II | this decree was carried into execuuon he would feel it his duty to sever re- 1ations. Despite this warning, the banishment was enforced, and For syth promptly announced the suspen- sion of relations of his legation with Mexico until the pleasure of his own could be ascertained.
 President Buchanan did not regard | the contribution imposed by Mexico to | be in the strictest sense a forced | loan," aild as such prohibited by the | treaty of 1926 between Great Britain and Mexico to the benefits of which American citizens were entitled by treaty, but considered the imposition | an unjust and oppressive measure.
 The efforts of Minister Forsyth to adjust the mater failed and on For syth's assurance that no favorable [ change could be expected until the r United States should give striking evidence of their will and power to protect their citizens and that "se- were christening is the only earthly for our grievance President Buchanan considered it idle to direct Forsyth to retract his steps and his withdrawal was sanctioned and diplo- matic relations severed. An amicable adjustment was reached shortly after wards.
 Frequent DismissaIs.
 American history shows that the | United States government has fre- l quently dismissed ambassadors, min isters and envoys sent to this country by other nations, without formally breaking off diplomatic relations with those counties or later g ing to war with them.
 History records numerous occasions of actual nostilities commenced with out the recall of envoys, the breaking off of relations or the serving of mo- tice of war.
 The United States has dismissed over a score of representatives of other governments in this country A late instance was that of Ambassador COnstantin TheodOr Dumba of Ans