Grand Forks herald., 1917-02-03
United STATES SEWERS RELATIONS
WITH GERMANY; GERARD IS RECALL
Wilson's Historic Address to CONGRESS-

United States, but TO take the
course which, in it's note Of the
18th of April. 1916, it announced
that II would take in the event
that the German government did
not declare and effect an aban-
donment Of the methods Of sub
marine warfare, which 1t was
then employing. and to which it
now proposes again to resort.
II have. therefore, directed the
Secretary Of State to announce to
the German amba ssador, that all
diplomatic relations between the
United States and the German
empire are severed. and that the
American ambassador at Berlin
will Immediately be withdrawn;
and in accordance with this. de-
cision. to hand to his excellency
his passports.
Notwithstanding this unex-
pected action OF the German gov
ernment. this sudden and deeply
deplorable ren,tndlAtion of its as
surances given this government
at one OF the most critical mo-
ments Of tension. in the relations
Of the two governments, I refuse
to believe that 1t Is the intention
OF the German authorities to do
in fact what they have warned us
they will feel at liberty to do so.
II cannot bring myself to be-
lieve that they will indeed pay no
regard to the ancient friendship
between their people and our
own. or to the solemn obliga-
tions which have been exchanged
between them. and destroy Amer
ican 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.
''If. this inveterane confidence
on my part in the sobriety and
prudent foresight of their pur-
pose should unhappily prove un-
founded: ii American ships and
American lives should in fact be
sacrificed by their naval COM
manders In needless contraven-
tion OF the just and reasonable
understandings OF international
law, and the obvious dictates of
humanity: shall take the liberty
OF coming again before the con-
gress to ask that authority be
given me to use any means that
may be necessary for the protec-
ton OF our seamen and our peo.
pie, In prosecution of their peace
full and legitimate errands on the
high seas. can do nothing less.
take It for granted that all neu-
tral governments will take the
same course. ..,
We do not desire any hostile
conflict with the Imperial Ger
man government We are sincere
friends of the German people. and
earnestly desire to remain at
peace with the government, which
speaks for them. We shall not
believe that they are hostile to
us unless and until we are obliged
td believe 1t: and we purpose
nothing more than 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
principles of our people, which 1
have sought to express in my ad-
dress to the senate only two weeks
ago. I seek merely to vindicate
our right to liberty and Justice
and unmolested life. These are
the bases Of peace. not war God
grant that we may not be chal-
lenged to defend them by acts of
wilful injustice on the part Of
the government Of Germany"