The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-04

the complete text Of President VIII
sons address delivered before joint
scssion Of the United States Congress
In which was announced the severance
Of diplomatic relations with Germany:
Gentlemen Of the Congress:
The imperial German government
on the 31st Of January announced to
this government and to the govern
ments Of the other neutral nations that
On and after the LIST day Of February.
the present month, It would adopt a
policy with regard to the use Of sub
marines against all shipping seeking to
pass through certain designated areas
Of the high seas. to which It IL clearly
my duty to cali your attention.
."Let me remind the congress. on the
Sth Of April last in view Of the sink
in6 on the cath Of March Of the cross
channel passenger steamer Sussex by
q German submarine without sum-
mons or warning and the consequent
loss Of the lives Of several citizens Of
the United States, who were pas
sengers aboard her. this government
addressed note to the imperial Ger
man government, in which it made the
following declaration:
susssx Uitimatum.
TT 1t 10 still the purpose Of the i'm
perial government to prosecute the re-
lentless and indiscriminate warfare
against vessels Of commerce by the
uSe Of submarines without regard to
what the government Of the United
States must consider the sacred and
indisputable rules Of International law
and the universally recognized dictates
OF humanity the government OF the
United States is at last forced to the
conclusion that there IL but one course
IL can pursue. Unless the imperial
government should now Immediately
declare and effect an abandonment Of
itS present methods Of submarine war;
fare against passenger and freight
carrying vessels, the government Of
the United States can have no choice
but to sever diplomatic relations with
TIM German empire altogether
ain reply to the declaration the i'm.
perial German government gave this
government the following assurances:
The German government is pre-.
pared to do Its utmost to confine the
operations Of war for the rest of its
duration to the fighting forces Of the
belligerents, thereby also insuring the
freedom of the seas. principle upon
which the German government be-.
lieves now as before to be in agree
ment with the government Of the Unit
ed States.
1.-The German government. guided
by this idea. notifies the government
Of: The United States that the German
naval forces have received. the follow.
ing. orders:
gin accordance with the general
principles OF visit and search and de-
struction of merchant vessels recog-
mixed by international law such ves-
sells. both within and without the
area declared a naval war zone, shall
not, be sunk without warning and
without saving human lives, unless
these ships attempt to escape or offer
resistance.
:'But,' It added. 'neutrals cannot
expect Germany. forced to fight for
her existence. shall for the sake Of
neutral interest. restrict The use Of an
effective weapon II her enemy is per-
mitted to continue to apply at will
methods Of warfare violating the rules
Of International law. Such demand
would be incompatible with the char
acter Of neutrality and the German
government is convinced that the gov
eminent Of the United States does not
think Of making such a demand. know
Ing that the government Of the United
States has repeatedly declared that
It Is determined to restore the princi-
Pic Of the freedom of the sea, from
whatever quarter 1t has been violated
ITO this the government of the
United States replied on the sth Of
May, accepting, Of course, the as
surances given, but adding:
/; Alternative Not Accepted.
1.-THE government of the United
States feels 1t necessary to state that
It takes 1t for granted that the Inn
perial German government does not
intend to imply that the maintainence
Of It's newly announced policy is in any
way contingent upon the course or re-
suit Of diplomatic negotiations be-
tween the government of the United
States and any other belligerent gov
eminent. notwithstanding the fact that
certain passages in the imperial gov
erntnent's note Of the fourth instant
might appear to be susceptible of that
construction. In order. however. to
avoid any misunderstanding, the gov
eminent of the United States notifies
the imperial government that It can
not: Tor moment entertain. much less
discuss, suggestion that respect by
German naval authorities for the rights
of citizens of the United States upon
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