Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-02-04

cation, that OF neutrals included, from
and to England. and from and to
France, ETC., all ships met within the
zone will be sunk.
Il think that you will agree with
me that in view of this declaration
which suddenly, and without prior in
tlmation OF any kind, deliberately
withdraws the solemn assurance given
in the imperial governments note OF
the fourth of May, 1916, this govern
ment has no alternative, consistent
,, with the dignity and honor of the
United States, but to take the course
which, in its note of the 18th of April,
1916, 1t announced that 1t would take
in the event that the German govern
ment did not declare and effect an
abandonment of the methods OF subma-
ploying and to which it now purposes
again to resort.
Passports Handed Won BernstOrh.
Il have, therefore. directed the sec
| rotary of state to announce to his eX-
cellency, the German ambassador, that
ali diplomatic relations between the
United States and the German empire
are severed, and that the American
ambassador at Berlin will be immedi-
ately withdrawn; and, in accordance
with this decision, to hand to his ex-
cellency his passports.
Notwithstanding this unexpected
action of the German government, THIS
sudden and deeply deplorable reunu-
citation of it's assurances given this
government at one of the most critical
moments of tension in the relations OF
tie two governments, l refuse to be-
lieye that it is the intention OF the
| German authorities to do in fact, what
they have warned us they will feel at
/ liberty to do. l cannot bring myself TO
telieye that they will indeed, pay no
regard to the ancient friendship he
| tween their people and our own, to the
| solemn obligations which have been
exchanged between them and destroy
| American ships and take the lives or
! American citizens in the wilful prose-
| cution of the ruthless naval program
thew have announced their intention
to adopt. Only actual overt acts on
their part can make me believe it even
niw.
Unprecedented Authority Asked.
"If this inveterate confidence on my
mart in the sobriety and prudent fore
sight of their purpose should unhapp1ly
prove unfounded; if American ships
! and American lives should in fact be
sacrificed by their naval commanders
| in needless contravention of the just
and reasonable understandings of in
| ternational law, and the obvious die
tates of humanity, shall take the lib
erty of coming again before the con-
| gress to ask that authority be given
me to use any means that may be
necessary for the protection Of our
seamen and our people in the prose-
cution of their peaceful and legitimate
errands on the high seas. 1 can do
nothing less. l take it for granted
that all neutral governments will take
the same course.
1--WE do not desire an hostile conflict
with the imperial German government.
We are the sincere friend of the Ger
man people and earnestly desire to re-
main at peace with the government
which spaks for them. We shall not
believe that they are hostile to us
unless and until we are obliged TO
believe it; and we purpose nothing
more than a 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 immemo~
rial principles of our people. which
have sought to express in my address
to the senate only two weeks ago
seek merely to vindicate on" "'@ht 10
liberty and justice and an >-ested
life. These are the bases of peace
not war. God grant that we may not
lie challenged to defend them by acts OF
wilful injustice on the part of the
! government of Germany"
TO MAKE AMERICAN LABOR