Evening star., 1917-02-03

that, in. view Of this declaration. which
suddenly and without prior intimation
of any kind deliberately withdraws the
solemn assurance given in tho imperial
governments note Of the fourth of
May. 1916. this government has no al
tentative consistent with the dignity
and honor OF the United States but to
the eighteenth Of April. 1915. it an
nounced that 1t would take in the event
that the German government did not
declare and effect an abandonment OF
which it was then employing and to
which it now purposes again to resort.
I have, therefore. directed the Secre-
tary Of State to announce to his ex-
cellency the German ambassador that
all diplomatic relations between the
United States and the German empire
are severed. and that the American am
bassador at Berlin will Immediately be
withdrawn; and. in accordance with
this decision, to hand to his excellency
his passports.
Notwithstanding this unexpected ac-
ton OF the German government. this
sudden and deeply deplorable renuncia-
ton of its assurances. given this gov
ernment at one OF the most critical
moments Of tension in the relations of
the two governments, I refuse to be-
lieve that 1t is the intention Of the Ger
man authorities to do in fact what they
have warned us they will feel at lib
crty to do.
cannot bring myself to believe that
they will indeed pay no regard to the
ancient friendship between their peo-
pie and our own or to the solemn OBJ
legations which have been exchanged
between them and destroy American
ships and take the lives of American
citizens in the willful prosecution of
the ruthless naval program they have
announced their intention to adopt.
Only actual overt acts on their part can
make me believe it even now.
II this inveterate confidence on my
part in the sobriety and prudent fore
sight Of their purpose should unhappily
prove unfounded; IL American ships and
American lives should in fact be sacri-
feed by their naval commanders in heed
less contravention of the just and rea-
sonable understandings Of international
law and the obvious dictates of hu-
manity. I shall take the liberty of COM
ing again before the Congress. to ask
that authority be given me to use any
protection of our seamen and our peo-
pie in the prosecution of their peaceful
and legitimate errands on the high seas.
/ can do nothing else. / take it for
granted that all neutral governments
will take the same course.
We do not desire any hostile con-
flict with the imperial German govern
ment. We are the sincere friends of
the German people and earnestly de-
sire to remain at peace with the gov
ernment which speaks for them. We
shall not believe that they are hostile
to us unless and until we are obliged
to believe it, and we purpose nothing
more than the reasonable defense of
the undoubted rights of our people. We
wish to serve no selfish ends. We seek
merely to stand true alike in thought
and in action to the immemorial prin-
ciples Of our people which 1 sought to
express in my address to the Senate
only two weeks ago-seek merely to
vindicate our right to liberty and JUS
tice and an unmolested life. These are
the bases of peace. not war. God grant
we may not be challenged to defend
them by acts of willful injustice on the
part of the government OF Germany!