Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-06
CONGRESS CHEERS As
SOUNDS HIS
WARNING To. KAISER
|epubliCanS and Democrats
Mike Break Into Ovation
When He Tells of Severance
ct Relations

WASHINGTON. Feb president
Ffsoa has broken Off diplomatic reli-
. sns with Germany and warned the
user that ruthless sacrifice OF Amer
"a lives and rights mean war.
T. similar action is waiting for Austria
4 hen she notifies this government that
be joins the campaign OF unrestricted
lbmarine warfare.
The president made formal announce
4 snt OF his action 10 the country and
the world today at joint session of
bhgress.
\ Passports have been handed TO Count
o. Bernstorff; Ambassador Gerard
4 fth all his staff and all American
pnSuls have been ordered out OF Ger
lang All German cOnsuls in the United
tates are expected to withdraw that
he severance OF relations may be com
Nlete American diplomatic interests in
berlin have been turned over to Spain;
ermzn diplomatic interests in the
nited States haze been taken over by
witzeriand. Foreign diplomatic in
erests which the United States had
charge in Germany have been turned
yer TO various neurraLs.
Two years or diplomatic negotiation,
Rarked with frequent crises and attend
B with the loss Of more than 200 Amer
IAN lives on the high seas. have culmi-
hted with an act which in ali the his
bry of all the world always has led
war.
The breaking of of relations came with
crash. despite the fact that it had
zen discounted. and practically deter
kinsd upon last night The president
burning from his night conference
nth the senator's determined that .
reak in relations was the only act con
stent with the dignity and honor Of the
nited States
He worked most Of the night prepar-
be- his address to congress
At 1870 O'Clock this morning il be-
kme known that Ambassador Gerard had
zen ordered home and that passports
nd been sent 10 Count Won eBrnstoTf-
I4Alfhouxh there was no official conftr-
kation Of the presidents decision until
u formally announced it himself to
'5hgress. the knowledge spread rapidly.
Count Won Bernstorff heard il unoffi-
aal1y while talking with an Associated
.ress correspondent While apparently
.espIy moved, he was not surprised His
EST act was to ask Dr.. Paul Ritter. the
swiSs minister. TO come to the German
nbaSSy and prepare to take over its al
airs Then he informed his wife. an
|mericau born woman. Of the develop
ent and likewise told the embassy stan.
ass passports were not actually delty-
nd uhtn o'clock in the afternoon
PASSPORTS DELIVERED.
Il While the president was addressing
bngress, one of Secretary Lsnsing's con-
Mental assistants called at the embas-
y and delivered the passports and a note
reply 20 the German declaration
President Wilson kept himself IN Sc
&ffsion during the morning except for
brief conference with Secretary Ian
-. until he left the White House for
r. capitol shortly before . o'clock.
sIu preparation for the history-making
~ert the senate and the house had
assembled in the hall Of the latter
6dy Justices of the supreme court
ID seats on the floor. the cabinet sat
a reserved space. Ambassador Jus
erznd. Of France. occupied his reserv-
seat IN the diplomatic gallery, which
as packed. principally with neutralss
mo came 20 hear words of far-reach-