The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1917-02-08

r.
broken off diplomatic relations with
Germany and warned the kaiser that
ruthless sacrifice of American lives
and rights means war.
Similar action is waiting for Austria
when she notifies this government
that she joins in the campaign of un-
restricted submarine warfare.
The president made formal an
nouncement OF his action to the coun.
try and to the world on February
at joint session of congress.
Passports have been handed Count
Won Bernstorff; Ambassador Gerard,
with his staff, and all American con
suls have been ordered out of Ger
many. Ali German consuls in the
United States are expected to with
draw that the severance of relations
may be complete. American diplo-
matte interests in Berlin have been
turned over to Spain; German diplo-
matte interests in the United States
have been taken over by Switzerland.
Foreign diplomatic interests which
the United States had in charge in
Germany have been turned over to
various neutrals.
Two years of diplomatic negotia-
ton, marked with frequent crises and
attended with the loss of more than
200 American lives on the high seas,
have eliminated with an act which in
all the history of all the world has al
InI 10 pf
the American government has been
set in motion to protect the country
against acts of German sympathizers. |
These moves are of necessity being |
kept secret. Z.
With the notice of severance of dip |
lomatic relations, the United States
sent to Berlin a demand for the i'm
mediate release of sixty-four Ameri-
cans taken from ships captured by
German raiders in the south Atlantic.
AT the request of the president, con-
gress, Immediately after hearing his
address, began work on new laws
framed by the department of justice
% check conspiracies and plots against
he United States which cannot be
reached under existing statutes.
The question of conveying Amer
can merchant ships through the sub
marine blockade has been taken up
md is being considered as one of the
lext moves by this government.
The news of the torpedoing of the
american steamer Housatonic, coming ]
Utmost before President Wilson's
words in congress had died away, Gre
ted a tremendous sensation, but it ]
Ices not necessarily constitute such e
n invasion of American rights as the
resident said he would meet by ask
ng congress for additional authority
o act.
At 1870 o'clock Saturday morning
became known that Ambassador
ierard had been ordered home and
hat passports had been sent to Count
on Bernstorff. Although there was
o official confirmation of the presi-
ents decision until he formally an
ounCed it himself to congress, the
spread rapidly.
Count Won Bernstorff heard it I'M
while talking with a press
While apparently
eeply moved. he was not surprised.
lis first act was to ask DR.. Paul Rit-
n, the Swiss minister, to come to
le German embassy and prepare to
Ike over its affairs. Then he in
'rmed his wife, an American born &
oman, of the development and like 5
Use told the embassy staff. His &
lssports were not actually delivered 5
it'll o'clock in the afternoon. b
President Wilson kept himself in n
'clusion during the morning. except n
r a brief conference with Secretary n
lnsing, until he left the White n
ouse for the capitol shortly before 81
o'clock. H
As usual a committee of congress N
IN met the president and escorted rs
m to the speakers dais. The whole 81
dy rose and cheered as the presi- h,
MT, acknowledging their greeting n
thout his usual smile, but grim 4
,ed and solemn, took his place at
2 clerks desk and began reading
, document which is being heard
,und the world"
Briefly he reviewed how, last April,
> United States warned Germany de
er the destruction of the Sussex ma
-