Omaha daily bee., 1917-02-08
SENATE APPROVES
BREAK WITH THE
GERMAN EMPIRE
With Five Members Voting
Against It, Resolution En-
dorsing Wilson's Action
Passes Upper House.
FOLLOWS STORMY DEBATE
Kirby, Vardaman, Gronna,
Works and La Toilette, Op-
pose Formal o. K.
FIVE HOURS DISCUSSION

Washington, FEB. L. President
Wilson's severance of diplomatic re-
lations with Germany was formally
approved today by the senate.
By vote of 7S to the senate
expressed confidence in the presi-
dents course, adopting a resolution
submitted by Chairman Stone of the
foreign relations committee endorsing
the withdrawal of American Ambas-
sador Gerard from Berlin and giving
to German Ambassador Bernstorff his
passports.
Senators Who Voted "No."
Senators who voted against the
resolution we're; Democrats, Kirby of
Arkansas and Nardaman of Missis-
sippi; republicans. Gronna, North Da-
kota; Works, California, and LoFol-
lettc. Wisconsin.
Five hours of debate preceded the
vote, but the only active opposition
came from the five senators who
stood out against the resolution when
the roll was called. The ranking re-
publican leaders joined the demo-
Gratis in declaring their whole hearted
support of the president.
Text of Resolution.
The resolution follows:
Whereas, the president has for the
reasons stated in his address delivered
to the congress in joint session on
February 3, 1917, severed diplomatic
relations with the imperial German
government by the recall of the
American ambassador at Berlin and
by handing his passports to the Ger
man ambassador at Washington, and
Whereas, notwithstanding this sew
erance of diplomatic intercourse the
president has expressed his intention
to avoid conflict with the imperial
German government, andd
Approval of Action.
Whereas, the president declared in
this said address that if in his judg-
ment an occasion should arise for
further action in the premises on the
part of the government of the United
States he would submit the matter to
the United States congress and ask
the authority of congress to use such
measures as he might deem necessary
for protection of American seamen
and people in the prosecution of their
peaceful and legitimate rights on the
high seas.
Therefore, be is resolved by the
senate that the senate approves the
action taken by the president as set
forth in his address delivered before
congress as stated above"
said Senator Stone, in bringing the
matter before the senate. because |
think we should let the world know
that we SUPP ort the president of the
United States whenever acting within
his constitutional power he speaks
authoritatively for the country.
Thought Waiting Advisable.
There are senators who thought it
would have been the better part of
wisdom if the president had post
poned the severance of diplomatic
relations with Germany at least until
Germany had committed some overt
act offensive to this government and
sufficiently aggravated to warrant a
step so grave in possible conse-
quences, but the president took diff
ferent view which with great ability
he strongly supported in his address
before the joint session.
81 think it both wise and advisable
for the senate to say officially that
It accepts and approves this action
of the nations chief magistrate"
Senator Kirby made his first ad-