The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1917-02-06
LOWERING AT
VERGE OF WAR
Diplomatic Relations With Germany
Severed As Result OF Her Ruth
less Submarine Policy


every courtesy by the German offici-
ais and people, who seem astonished
at the sudden rupture between their
country and the United States.
Diplomatic relations between the
United States and Germany were
severed Saturday, as a result of Ger
many's announced determination to
use her submarines to sink all ships
which endeavor to engage in COM
merce with other European nations
with which Germany is at 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
country and 70 the world Saturday ut
Il joint session of Congress.
Passports have been handed to
Count Won Bernstorff; Ambassador
Gerard with all his staff and all
American Consuls have been ordered
out of Germany. All German Consuls
in the United State are expected to
withdraw, that the severance of rela-
tiOns may be complete. American di-
plomatic interests in Berlin have been
turned over to Spain; German diplo-
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.
The situation arising from the sew
erance of diplomatic relations With
Germany remains virtually the same
as when President Wilson made his
momentous announcement to Con-
gress last Saturday. The status of
Austria, through her adherence to
Germany's submarine warfare, has
not yet been determined. Meanwhile,
the American Ambassador in Ger
many has demanded his passports
and is making preparations to leave
Berlin. and plans are afoot for the
German Ambassador and his retinue |
TO depart for Germany next week.
Bills have been introduced in the |
American Congress to penalize all |
persons found guilty of publishing or .
attempting to ascertain any informa-
ton regarding American resources or
defenses, providing a penalty of i'm
prisonment for life.
American manufacturers have Of
fered to turn their plant over to the
Government without profit. These in
Guide the Ford motor plant, Carnegie
and Bethlehem steel plants, the Rem
ington Arms Company and the Win
chester Manufacturing Company.
Two other British steamers, the Isle
of Arran and Hurstwood have been
summarized, and British sailing
ship, the Garnet Hall. is believed to
have been sunk. Five fatalities result
ed from the torpedoing of the Hurst
God. which is said to have been done
without warning. The Danish steam
cr Iorf kruse, with cargo of wheat
fer IL. Belgian Relief Committee has
gore 20 the bottom near the Belgian
coast. either having been torpedoed ,
or struck a mine.
Walter H. Page, the American Am
bassador to England held long confer I
ences with A. j. Balfour, British For {
eign Secretary and Merry del Val. {
SPANS Ambassador, in London. The !
participation of Spain and Spanish
American countries in action similar t
to that of the United States is be- '
lieved to have been discussed with /
Senior del Val. I
The date of sailing of the American
liner st. Louis from New York has II
been suspended until probably We'd | l.
nesday, at noon, to await develop {
ments in the international situation. a
An official statement issued in Lon {
don says an American, Richard Wal
lace, of Baltimore, and the master d
and two seamen of the British steam u
er Eavestone met death through the a
shellfire of submarine as they were %
leaving the steamer in small boats as d
she was sinking from the gunfire f
poured into her by the underwater s
craft. 4
A squad of marines left the Phila- t,
delphia navy yard to guard the Ger II
man wireless plant to Tuckerton, N. $,
]. Feversh activity of the Atlantic +,
reserve feet was noted at Philadel-
phia, United States battleships North Il
Dakota and Kansas shifted their posi- h
ton to within one hundred yards of G
German vessels. @
The protests of both Brazil and W
Spain against the unrestricted sub 81
marine campaign of Germany have Il
been completed, but will not be made Ii
public before communication. SPANS
reply, which is understood to be an
energetic protest, will be handed to p
the German Ambassador at Madrid II
Today. S.
Little fighting of moment, aside II
from the usual bombardments and in
small attacks, is in progress on any in
IF the battle fronts. The Germans b,
and Russians in the Riga sector have er
.ome to grips near Kalnzem and M
On both these sectors, ca
he Germans, who were on the often 80
five, were repulsed, according to re
'etrograd.
Two years of diplomatic negotia- &c
ion marked with frequent crisis and Pa
ttended with the loss of more than er
100 American lives on the high seas, or
ave eliminated with an act which pa
n all the history of all the world has
lways led to war. Every agency of
he American Government has been nj
ct in motion to protect the country Ia
gainst acts of German sympathizers. m;
'hese moves are of necessity being tee
ept secret. ma
With the notice of severance of re- ar
atoms the United States sent to Ber- tn
N a demand for the immediate re- be
ease of sixty-four Americans taken W
rom the ships captured by German of
aiders in the South Atlantic. This re- Sci