Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1917-02-08
Wilson In Address to
Congress Calls on All
Neutrals to Aid u. s.

| Washington, Feb. 5.~~~President VII.
| son In his address to congress on the
| crisis with Germany spoke as follows:
| Gentlemen of the Congress:
The imperial German government
on the 3ist day of January announced
| to this government and to the govern.
| ments OF the other neutral nations that
| on and after the LIST day OF February,
| the present MONTH, 1t would adopt a
policy with regard to the use OF sub
| marines against all shipping seeking
to pass through certain designated
areas Of the high seas. to which II is
clearly my duty to call your atten-
ton.
Let me remind the Congress that
on the 9Th day OF April last, In view of
the sinking on the Gath of March Of
the cross-channel passenger steamer
Sussex by a German submarine, with.
out summons or warning and the con
seluent loss OF lives of several citi.
zens Of the United States who were
passengers aboard her, this govern
ment addressed note to the imperial
German government in which 1t made
the following declaration:
Reviews Sussex Case.
"Tf 1t Is still the purpose of the
imperial government to prosecute re-
lentless and indiscriminate warfare
against vessels of commerce by the
use of submarines without regard to
what the government of the United
States must consider the sacred and
indispntable rules OF international law
and the universally recognized dictates
or humanity, the government of the
United States is at last forced to the
conclusion that there Ia but one course
II can pursue. Unless the imperial
government should now Immediately
declare and effect an abandonment OF
Its present methods of submarine war.
rare against passenger and freight-car.
rying vessels, the government of the
United States can have no choice but
to sever diplomatic relations with the
German empire altogether
Gave Assurances to U. s.
I'm reply to the declaration the i'm
perial German government gave this
government the following assurances
The German government Is prepared
TO do Its utmost to confine the opera,
lions OF war for the rest of It's dura.
ton to the fighting forces of belliger.
ents, thereby also insuring the freedom
OF the seas, a principle upon which the
German government believes now, as
before. to be in agreement with the
government of the United tSates.
The German government. guided
by this idea, notifies the government
OF the United States that the German
naval forces have received the follow.
Ing orders: In accordance with the
general principles of visit and search
and destruction of merchant vessels
recognized by international law such
vessels, both within and without the
area declared a naval war zone, shall
not be sunk without warning and with
out saving human lives, unless these
ships attempt to escape or offer resist.
ance.
Germany's Statement.
But 1t added. 'neutrais cannot ex.
pect that Germany. forced to fight for
her existence, shall for the sake of
neutral interests restrict the use OF an
effective weapon Ii her enemy IL per.
mitted to continue to apply at will
methods of warfare violating the rules
or international law. Such a demand
would be Incompatible with the char.
acter Of neutrality and the German
government Is convinced that the gov.
erament OF the United States does not
think of making such Il demand, know.
ing that the osernE,ent of the United
States has repeatedly declared that II
IL determined to restore the principle
OF the freedom Of the seas. from what
ever quarter 1t has been violated
Accepts Assurances.
TO this the government of the
United States replied on the Sth of
May, accepting, OF course, tho assur-
ances given. but adding:
The government of the United
States feels II necessary to state that
1t takes its for granted that the i'm.
perial German government does not
intend to imply that the maintenance
OF its newly announced policy liz In any
way contingent upon the course or re,
suit of diplomatic negotiations be.
tween the government OF the United
states and any other helligerent gov.
eminent, Notwithstanding the fact that
certain passages In the imperial gov.
ernment's note OF the 4th instant might
appear to be susceptible of that con.
struction.
In order. however. to avoid any
misunderstanding the government OF
the United States notifies the imperial
government that 1t cannot for a mo-
ment entertain, much less discuss. a
suggestion that respect by German ma,
val authorities for the rights of citi.
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