The midland journal., 1917-02-09

Washington. on.-PresideAt Wilson has
Nroken of diplomatic relations with
Germany and warned the Kaiser that
ruthless sacrifice Of American lives
and rights means war.
Similar action is waiting for Aus
eria when she notifies this Govern
ment that she joins in the campaign
of unrestricted submarine warfare.
The President made formal an
nOuncement of his action to the coun-
try and. to the world Saturday at
joint session of Congress.
Passports have been handed to
Count Won Bernstorff; Ambassador
Garard with all his staff and all Ameri-
can consuls have been ordered out OF
Germany. All 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-
&ions, marked with frequent crisis,
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 always led to war. Every
agency of the American Government
has been set in motion to protect the
country against acts. of German SYM
sity 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 cap
tured by German raiders in the South
Atlantic.
At the request of the President,
Congress Immediately after hearing
his address began work on new laws
framed by the Department of Justice
to check conspiracies and plots against
the United States which cannot now
be reached under existing statutes.
The question of conveying American
merchant ships through the submarine
blockade has been taken UP and is be-
ing considered as one Of the next
meves by this Government.
Neutral governments have been nOti-
ned of the action of the United States
and have openly been invited to fol-
low it's action If the new submarine
campaign violates their rights.
The breaking off of relations came
with crash, despite the fact that it
had been discounted and practically
determined upon Friday night. The
President returned from his night con-
ference with the Senators determined
that break in relations was the only
act consistent with the dignity and
the honor of the United States"
Count Won Bernstorff while ap-
parently deeply moved, was not sur
prised His first act was to ask DR..
Paul Ritter, the Swiss Minister, to
come to the German Embassy and
prepare to take over its 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. While
the President was addressing Congress
one Of Secretary Lansing's confidential
assistants called at the embassy and
delivered the passports and note in
reply to the German declaration.
President Wilson kept himself in
seclusion during the morning, except
for a brief conference with Secretary
Lansing, until he left the White House
for the Capitol. In preparation for the
history-making event, the Senate and
House had assembled In the hall of
the latter body, justices Of the Su-
preme Court had seats on the floor, the
Cabinet sat in reserved space. Am
bassador Jusserand, of France, occu-
pied his reserved seat in the diplo-
matte gallery. which was packed, prin-
cipally with neutrals, who came to
hear words of far-reaching Importance
affecting their own governments.
AS usual, a committee of Congress
men met the President and escorted
him to the Speakers dais. The whole
body rose and cheered as the Presi-
dent, acknowledging their greeting
without his usual smile, but grim
faced and solemn, took his place at
the clerks desk and began reading
his address.
When he told how the German proc
lamation left nothing for the honor
and dignity OF the United States but
q break In relations and that he had
ordered passports sent to Won Bern
storff and a recall to Mr.. Gerard, the
assemblage broke into cheer, in
which Republicans and Democrats
alike Joined More applause greeted
his declaration that only an overt act
could convince him that Germany In.
tended to violate American lives and
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