The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-04
HISTORY POINTS TO WAR

with the loss of more than 200 American 1 lives on the high seas, have eliminated with an act which, in all the history of all the world, always has led to war. Every agency of the American govern ment has been set in motion to protect the country against acts of German sym- pathizers.
 These moves are. of necessity, being
 kept secret
 With the notice of severance of rela- tions the United States sent to Berlin a demand for the immediate release of GA Americans taken from ships captured by
 German raiders in the South Atlantic
 At the request of the President, Con-
 gress immediately after hearing his ad-
 dress began work on new laws framed by
 the department of justice to check con-
 spiracies and plots against the United
 States which cannot now be reached un- der existing statutes
 The question of conveying American
 ships through the submarine blockade has
 been taken up, and is being considered
 as one of the next moves. Neutral governments have been noti- fled of the action of the United States. and have openly been invited to follow it's action if the new submarine cam paign violates their rights.
 CAME WITH CRASH The breaking off of relations came with a crash, despite the fact that it had been discounted, and practically determined upon last night. The Presi- dent returning from his night confer ence with the senators determined that a break in relations was the only act "consistent with the dignity and the honor of the United States" He worked most of the night prepar- ing his address to Congress. At 10:30 o'clock this morning it be- came known that Ambassador Gerard
 had been ordered home and that pass ports has been sent to Count Won l ficial confirmation of the President's s decision until he formally announced it himself to Congress, the knowledge l spread rapidly.
 BERNSTORFF DEEPLY MOVED | Count Won Bernstorff heard it unof- l ficially while talking with an Asso. ciated Press correspondent. While ap-
 parently deeply moved, he was not sur prised. His first act was to ask pr. | Paul Ritter, the Swiss minister, to com | to the German embassy and prepare to | take over it's affairs. Then he informed his wife, an American born woman, of
 the development and likewise told the embassy staff. His passports were not actually delivered until 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
 1 While the President was addressing
 Congress, one of Secretary Lansing s | confidential assistants called at the em- bassy and delivered the passports and
 a note in reply to the German declara- | tion.
 President Wilson kept himself in se-
 clusion during the morning, except for
 a brief conference with Secretary Lam
 sing, until he left the White House for
 the capitol shortly before o'clock. l NOTABLE GATHERING 1 In preparation for the history -mak- 1 ing event, the Senate and House had assembled in the hall of the latter body. Justices of the supreme court had seats on the floor, the cabinet sat il. q reserved space. Ambassador Jusse- rand of France occupied his reserved | seat in the diplomatic gallery, which
 was packed, principally with neutrals, | who came to hear words of far-reach- | ing importance affecting their own governments.
 l A usual, committee of Congressman
 met the President and escorted him to the speakers dais.
 I The whole body rose and cheered as | the President, acknowledging their greeting without his usual smiles. but l grim faced and solemn, took his place at the clerks desk and began reading 1 the document which is being heard
 around the world.
 1 Not a sound came from floor or gal leries, but the clear, calm tone of the