Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-02-04
WILSON EXPECTS
To PROTECT
AMERICAN
RIGHTS

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 3.-Ferv-
emily invoking the guidance of Al
mighty God President Wilson opened
his address to congress with review
of the last stages of the submarine ne
gotiations with Germany which begun
on April 8th of last year with the
American note regarding the sinking
of the Sussex.
The president declared that the Unit
ed States stated its final position on
May Sth, by clearly telling the respons-
ibility and rights of Americans on the
high seas, and as far as German sub
marines were concerned it could not
be upon the action of Germany enemies
as Germany's position was absolute
ly. not relatively"
President Wilson said in concluding
that he did not believe Germany plann-
ed any overt act against America but
if so he asks congress for authority
to protect our seamen and our peo-
rle."
White House Closed
The White House gates were locked
Saturday afternoon late, and special
precautions taken to keep unidentified
persons from the executive mansion.
The president spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of Congress; The I'm
perial German government on the thir-
ty-first of January announced to this
government and to the governments of
the other neutral nations that on and
after the first day Of February, the
present month, it would adopt policy
with regard to the use of submarines
against all shipping seeking to pass
through certain designated areas OF
the high seas to which 1t is clearly my
duty to call your attention.
LET me remind the congress on the
eighth of April last, in view of the
sinking on the twenty-fourth Of March
of the cross channel passenger steamer
Sussex by German submarine with
out summons or warning, and the con-
sequent loss of the lives of several cit
liens of the United States who were
passengers aboard her, this govern
ment addressed a note to the imperial
German government in which it made
the following declaration: If it is still
the purpose of the imperial govern
ment to prosecute relentless and indis-
criminate warfare against vessels OF
commerce by the use of submarines
without regard to what the government
OF the United States may consider me
sacred and indisputable rules Of inter
national law and the universally rec
ofnized dictates of humanity, the gov
ernment of the United States is at Lass
forced to the conclusion that there is
but one course 1t can pursue. Unless
the imperial government should now
Immediately declare and effect an
abandonment of its present methods
of submarine warfare against passen-
ger and freight carrying vessels, the
government of the United States can
have no choice, but to sever diplomats
relations with the German empire alto
gether.
I'm reply to this declaration, the i'm
perial German government gave this
government the following assurance:
Promises Given to Wilson.
The German government is prepar-
ed to do its utmost to confine the OPP
erations of war for the rest Of its dura-
tion to the fighting forces Of the bel
ligerents: 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 States.
THE German government guided by
this idea, notifies the government OF
the United States that the German ma
val forces have received the following
orders:
I'm accordance with the general
principles of visit and search and de-
struction of merchant vessels recog-
pized by international law, such yes
sells. both within and without the area
declared as naval war zone, shall not
he sunk without warning and without