The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-04

dsngs ~sss. his daughter. Mics Marga
+ ~ Wilson. his cousin. Miss Bones an<
kfR WILSON'S mother, Mrs. Boiling
- Rravely attentive. In the diplo
nsAAc cutlery Ambassador Jusserand
oe Trsnce, listened to the address
A(ker the Senate and Supreme Cour
hal been seated. the President en-
t<rSd and began his speech.
49, TnteNse silencc Rei9ns.
Not a sound broke the attentive
silence of the crowded chamber ane
the hacked galleries OF the house
chamber as the President went oVei
the diplomatic Correspondents in thf
submarine controversy. In solemn 81
lsnce they listened TO hts declaration
that he had directed the secretary OF
State to sever all diplomatic relations
with Germany. But the great assem-
bla9c leaned forward with earnes'
Noes and shortened breath as ne
continued;
-StiII Hops for Peace.
Notwithstanding the unexpected
action of the rserrrTan government this
sudden, and deeply deplorahle rennn'
ria,son of it's assurances given this
government at one OF The most critical
moments Of tension ip the relations
believe that II is the intention of the
German authorities 10 do In fact what
they have warned Us they Will feel
at lthertv 10 do cannot bring my
self to believe that they will indeed
pay ne regard 10 the ancient friend
ship Between their people and our
own or to the solemn obltgauons
which have been exchanged between
them and DESTROY American ships and
take the lives of American citizens In
the w,lful prosecution of the ruthless
naval program they have announced
their intention 70 adopt Only actual
overt acts on their part can make me
heffeve-this even now.
1T this invclcratc confidence
on nay part in tho sohriety ana
t,rutIsut foresight of their pur-
psss.s, should unlfappily prove IN
founded: if American ships and
~smrricnn lives should in fact In
sacrifice, by~tkeir naval COM
u,apsierS i'm needless contravcn-
ton of tho Just and reasonable
understandings Of international
law and the obvious dictates OF
humanity, shall take thu liberty
Of coming again before the Con-
Press to ask that authority bc
given me- to ;tse any means that
usny le necessary for the protcc-
lion OF our Scamen and our poo
yyic tn the prosecution OF thAir
peaceful and legitimate crrnnds
on tlar high seas. I can do nnught
cleo. take II for granted that all
neutral governments viii take the
same s>ot,rsc.
Seek No Conflict.
set~-9estre hostile con-
fiict with the Imperial German gov
crysr1ert VIC are the sincere friends
OF the people ard earnestly desire Ia
rerr,ain-at ,.e~c~-wit h .the government
which speaks For them. We shall not
believe that they are hostile TO ne un-
less AND Until We are Obliged TO be
Iia7-c it, and we purpose nothing
tslare t6an Tie reasonable defense %
~ up6oubted rights Of our people
VIZ wish to serve no selfish ends We
~eet nerety 70 stand true TO all alike
il thought and in action to the IN
raer,or'a! principles OF this people
~v-1irh ! cxpr~ Ssed to the Senate twc
~--f-ks ago We seek merely to vim
ateate oar aiGh, to liberty and JUS
TIA. end u8molested life. These are
tlIn IN sps Of peace not war,
''Cca Grant that We NAV not he
a.llcs~oa ~ deEend Them by arts NJ
wi1fnl inipeticA on the rart OF tbs
eoverrt,l-~~t -ofs GERMANY
Tl,,u,ticrouS Applause.
AZ the President turned awav from
tfFT,, lhrL, desk -where he. made his
r tfstt'@es therc was An outbnrst OF az
4aiaoee a~eoup the whole great gath
erin. Republicans and Democrat
N the foor and tho galleries JOINED
III the "a srsauaa.- He shock his head
4. y e. s1.z t-a