Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-02-08

Washington. Feb. t-Diplomatic rcla-
tions between Germany and the United
States were severed Saturday. 1t was
President Wilson's answer to the German
notice that any merchant vessel which
entered prescribed areas would be sunk
without warning Count Won Bernstorff,
the kaisers ambassador has received his
passports: in other words. he has been
dismissed by this government. James w.
Gerard. the American ambassador at Bcr-
lin, has been ordered to return home with
his staff.
President Wilson made the sensational
answer in a momentous address delivered
before the two houses Of Congress assem-
bled in joint session in the afternoon.
Congress appears to be unanimous in n
determination to stand by the President
in whatever measures he takes Farty
lines have been obliterated in the general
desire to support the administration in
dealing with a critical situation that most
observers expect to result in the entrance
of the United States into the European
conflict.
NOT DECLARATION OF WAR.
War has not been declared. The Presi.
dent in his address said: we do not
desire any hostile conflict with the Ger
man government But preparations fo:
war arc being made. Navy yards have
been closed to the public. For the present
private shipbulding concerns and other
plants engaged in government work will
take their own precautionary measures.
Private shpbuilders have offered to place
their establishments under the control of
the government. and a provision author
izing the secretary of the navy to do this
/ - ~ l.
| the House on Monday
German merchant ships at American
ports are being closely guarded. and some
| have been seized. Our war vessels are
/ said to have received precautionary or
ders. Army arsenals have been told to
guard against danger. Public building9
here and elsewhere are being guarded
also
WILL BREAk WITH AUSTRIA. TOO
Diplomatic relations with Austria Hun
gary are to be severed also. This was
made certain by the receipt by the state
department of a note from the Vienna
government containing notice of adher.
cncc to tho German subma rinc blockade
policy President Wilson did not know
this when he went to the Capitol. Count
Tarnowski Won Tarnow the newly &C.
credited ambassador Of Austria Hungary
Thursday. went 10 the state department,
yesterday to arrange for his forma
presentation to President Wilson. WORD
was brought to him that Secretary Ian
sing would be unable to receive him
Hardly had the ambassador gone wher
the department received a cable message
from Frederic c. Penfield. the American
ambassador at Vienna. giving the text
of the Austro-Hungarian adherence tc
the German war zone order. AS Count
Tarnowski has not been formally received
by this government he may not be dis
missed in the same way as Count vor
Bcrnstorff was. but he will be invited tC
leave the country. with the members o
his suite and embassy staff. Ambassador
Penfield and his embassy staff will b.
ordered homo. II war results II will b.
war not only with Germany. but witt
Austria Hungary and Turkey as well, anc
possibly with Bulgaria.
BERNSTORFF NOT SURPRISED.
Count Won Bernstorff. who had beer
ambassador from Germany 10 the United
States since December so, 1905 received
his passports promptly on the stroke o
two o'clock Saturday afternoon Thes'
we're broad enough TO cover the German
. ambassador, his family and all the mem
hers Of the embassy suite. but no com
imuncation was delivered to the an1basSa
dor to the effect that he would receiv
safe conduct from this country to Ger
, many. This is detail that will have t
be arranged later.
SHIPPING HELD 1T.
SailnGs of vessels. American merchan
| ships in particular. from American ports
: are now out of the hands of the stat
department. and have become a mitar
g matter. 1t was broadly minated Satur
day that ships flying the American fla
would not leave port until they receive
| permission from the navy department. an
that their movements at sea would b
under the guidance. If not under the di
rection. of the navy department. by wire
less
GERMAN WARsHIPs SEIZED.
Secretary Daniels Saturday Afternoon
. sent instructions to naval officers in com
mand Of the various navy yards to tax
such steps as were necessary for tn
safety Of any German warships informed
, In response to this order word reache
Washington that the crews of the inferno
German auxiliary cruisers kronprn
Wilhelm and the Prinz Eitel Friedrich