The Nevada County picayune., 1917-02-08

of congress, told his reasons for break ing off diplomatic negotiations with Germany He said
 "To the congress. February 2. 1ol7
 Gentlemen of the Congress;
 "The Imperial German government on the 31st of January announced to this government and to the govern meutS of the other neutral nations that on and after the 1St day of Fcbru- ary, the present month, fl would adopt q policy with regard to the use of submarines against all shipping seek ing to pasS through certain designated areas Of the high seas to which it is clearly my duty to call your attention.
 Let me remind the congress that on the 18th of April last in view of the sinking on the 24th of March of the cross Channel passenger steamer Sussex hy German submarine. with out summons or warning, and the con. sequent loss of the lives of several citizens of the United States. who Were passengers aboard her. this gov ernmeat addressed a note to the Im- perial German government in which it made the following declarations:
 :" If | still be the purpose of the im- pcrial government to prosecute rclent- less and indiseriminate warfare against vessels of commerce by the Use of submarines without regard to what the government of the United id, ,l tndisputable rules of international law and the universally recognized die tates of humanity, the government ef the United States k at last forced to the conclusion that there is but one course il can pursue. Unless the i'm perial government should now and im- mediately declare and effect an aban- donmcut of it's present methods of submarine warlue against passenger and freight carrying vessels the gov ernment of the United States can have m choice but 10 sever diplomatic re- lations with the German empire alto gethcr.
 "'In reply tn thiS declaration the i'm perial German government gave this government the following assurance:
 The German government is pre- pared 10 do is utmost to contine the operations of the war for thc rest of it's duration to the fighting forces of the hellgereuts. thereby also assuring the freedom of the seas, q principle upon which the German government believes, now as before, to be in agree ment with the government of the United States.
 "'The German government guided by this idea, notifies the government of the Caited States that the German naval forces have received the follow Ing orders: Tn accordance with the general principles of visit and search and destruction of merchant vessels recognized by international law, such vessels, both within and without the area declared 1s naval war zone declared as naval war zone. shall not be sunk without warning and without saving human lives, unless these ships attempt to escape or offer resistance
 Hut it added. 'ncutrals cannot expect that Germany, forced to light for her existence. slfaH, for the sake of neutral interests, restrict the use of an effective weapon if her enemy is per mitted to continue to apply at will methods of warfare violating the rules of international law. Such a demand would be incompatible with the char aeter of neutrality, and the German government is convinced that the gov ernmcnt of the United States does not think of making such #a demand knowing tlrat the government of the United States has repeatedly declared that it k determined to restore the principle of the freedom of the seas, from whatever quarter it has been Vio- lated
 "'Fo this the government of the tuit- ed States replied on the eighth of May accepting. of course, the assurance Eiy- en, but adding.
 "'The government of the tuifed States feels Il necessary to state that II takcs it for granted that the i'm perial German government does not intend tito imply that the maintenance of ltS newly announced policy k in any way contingent upau thc course of re- suits of diplomatic negotiations be- tween the government of the United StatC> and other belligcrem govern meuts. notwithstanding tho fact that certain passages in the imperial gov erum,uts note of the fourth tu>saut might apqear te be susceptible of tbat construction In order, however, Ia avoid any possible misunderstanding, the government of the Umaed States uaudy~ the imperial SoNcraW,ut that it cannot fer moment entertain. much te9~ discuss, a suggestion Jmt respect hy German naval authorities for the rights ot citizens ot the tHttod States upon Che hsh Sess should in any Wgv in thc slightest degree be made eeatfu.ert upon the conduct of agy os6er government affecting the rights ut Hyutras and noncomhatahJS,