El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-02-03
IS
READY FOR WAR
Tells Congress He Has
Broken Off Relations
With German Empire.
Continued from page H.

government that il cannot for a mo-
ment entertain, much less discuss, a
suggestion that respect by German
naval authorities for the rights of citi-
zens Of the United States upon the
high seas should in any way or in the
slightest degree be made contingent
upon the conduct of any other govern
ment, affecting the rights of neutrals
and non cOmbatants. Responsibility in
such matters is single, not Joint abso-
lutte, not relative
Reveals Germany Sent Private Note.
TO this note of the eighth of May,
the imperial German government
made no reply.
ION the 5Ist of January. the We'd
neSday OF the present week. the Ger
man ambassador handed the secretary
of state, along with a formal note, a
memorandum which contained the tol-
lowing statement
Takes Back Freedom OF .setiOn.
''The imperial government, therefore.
does net doubt that the government OF
the United States will understand the
situation thus forced upon Germany b.
the entente allies brutal method OF
war and their determination TO destroy
the central powers. and that the gov
eminent of the United States will fur-
Their realize that the now openly DIS
closed intention OF the entente aliies
gives back to Germany the freedom OF
action which she reserved in her note
addressed to the government OF the
United States on May 1. 1916
All ships to BE Sunk
Under these circumstances Ger
many will meet the illegal measures of
her enemies By forcibly preventing, al
ter February 1, 1917, IN a zone around
Great Britain, France Italy and IN the
eastern Mediterranean. all navigation,
that OF neutrals included. from and 10
England and from and TO France. etc
All ships met within the zone viii be
sunk
L. :. Has No Alternative
7 think YOU viii agree with me that,
in view Of this declaration. which, sud
denly and without prior intimation OF
any kind, deliberately withdrawS the
solemn assurance given in the lmpe-
rial governments note OF the fourth o.
May. 1916, this government has no al
tentative consistent with the dignity
and honor Of the United States but 10
take the course which. in its note OF the
18th Of April. 1916, II announced lnat
II would take in the event that the
German government did not declare and
effect an abandonment of the methods
OF submarine warfare which II was
then employing and to which Il now
purposes again to resort.
Relations. Therefore, Severed.
i have, therefore. directed the secre-
tary Of state TO announce to his excel
lency, the German ambassador, that all
diplomatic relations between the United
States and the Conan empire are sew
cred and that the American ambassa-
dor at Berlin Will Immediately be with
drawn and in compliance with this de-
cision, to hand 10 mis- excellency his
passports
Doubts Ruthless U-BOat Campaign.
notwithstanding this unexpected
action OF the German government. this
sudden and deeply deplorable renuncia-
ton OF its assurances given this gov
eminent at one Of the most critical
moments of tension in the relations OF
the two governments, I refuse TO be-
fGva 10 ng no nrHH =
German authorities TO do. in fact. what
they have warned US they will feel at
liberty to do.
7 cannot bring myself to believe
that they will, indeed. pay no regard
TO the ancient friendship between their
iseople and our own, or TO the solemn
obligations which have been exchanged
between them, and destroy American
citizens in the wilful prosecution OF
the ruthless naval program they have
announced their intention to adopt
Only actual overt acts on their part
can make me believe ~ even now
Ship Sinking Means War.
IF this confidence on my part in the
sobriety and prudent foresight Of their
purpose should unhappily prove I'M
founded: if American ships and Ameri-
can lives should. in fact. be sacrificed
I by their naval commanders in needless
contravention OF the just and reasona-
BILE understandings OF international
law and the obvious dictates of hu-
manity. shall take the liberty Of COM
I ing again before the congress to ask
that authority be given me 10 use any
means that may be necessary for the
protection of our seamen and people in
the prosecution of their peaceful and
I Legitimate errands on the high seas.
can do nothing less l take IL for grant
take the same course
We Earnestly Desire Peace.
We do not desire any hostile con-
flict with the imperial government We
are the sincere friends of the German
people and earnestly desire to remain
at peace with the government which
speaks for them We shall not believe
that they are hostile to US unless and
until we are obliged to believe il: and
we purpose nothing more than the rea-
sonable defence Of the undoubted rights
Of our people.
we wish to serve no selfish ends.
I We seek merely to stand true. alike
in thought and in action. 10 the i'm
memorial principles of our people
dress to the senate only two weeks
ago. We seek merely to vindicate our
right 10 liberty and justice and an un-
mOlested life These are the bases of
not be challenged TO defend them by
acts Of wilful injustice on the part OF
( the government of Germany"
Many Diplomats Present.
diplomats to hear the presidents ad-
dress. Practically all the South Amer
leans were represented and many 9TH
er neutrals
The gravity of the occasion was fur
Their pictured by the presence Of the
justice of the supreme court and mem
bers Of the cabinet
a committee representing both
houses escorted the president to the
speakers dais, during which the as
semblage arose. Then the throng burst
into cheers and handclapping as the
president, his face set and without the
suggestion of smile, bowed and began
reading his address very slowly.
Cheers War FOrebOding.
The assemblage burst into applause
in which Democrats and Republicans
Joined when the president declared he
had directed the secretary of state to
announce to his excelency. the Ger
man ambassador, that all diplomatic re-
lations between the United States and
the German empire are severed"
Louder and more widespread cheer
ing greeted the announcement that the
president would come TO congress again
to ask authority to use any means
that may be necessary for the protec-
ton of our seamen and our people"
Passports for BernstOrff-
While the president was addressing