The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-02-05
Kaiser Warned That Ruth
less Sacrifice of American
Lives and Rights
Means War.
German Ambassador Given
Passports ana Gerard
Recalled from Berlin
Feeling Of Regret in Berlin
That Note Was Given In
terpretation Not Intended


Wilson Suggests All Neutrals Join
L. S. in Break-President Still
Hopeful of Avoiding War But Prep
-arations Are Being Made for Pos
slble Early Hostilities-Gernlany
Accedes to Demand for Release of
~ Americans
President Wilson has broken off
diplomatic relations with Germany
and warned the kaiser that ruthless
sacrifice of American lives and rights
means war.
Similar action is awaited for Aus
trla when she notifies this govern
'1nent that she joins in the campaign
of unrestricted submarine warfare.
The President made formal an
country and to the world Saturday at
= joint session of Congress.
Passports have been handed to
Count Won Bernstorff. Ambassador
Gerard with all his staff and all
American consuls have been ordered
out ofGermany. German consuls in the
United States are expecting to with
draw, that the severance of relations
may be complete. American diplo-
matte interests have been turned ov-
er to Spain; German diplomatic in
terests in the United States have
been taken over by Switzerland. For
eign diplomatic interests, which the
United States had in charge in Ger
many have been turned over to va
rious neutrals.
Two years of diplomatic negotia-
ton, marked with frequent crises, and
attended with the loss Of more than
200 American lives on the high seas
have eliminated with an act which
in all the history Of the world al
ways has led to war; Every agency
Of the American government has
been set in motion to protect the
country against acts of German SYM
pathiZers. These moves are of ne
cessity being kept secret.
At the request of the President
Congress Immediately after hearing
his address began work on new laws
framed by the Department of Justice
to check conspiracies and plots
against the United States which can
not now be reached under existing
statutes.
The question Of conveying Amer
lean merchant ships through the sub
marine blockade has been taken L!
ard is being considered as ore O.
the next moves bv this government
Germany Will Release American
Prisoners
With the notice of severance of re
lations the United States sent to Ber
lin demand for the immediate re
lease of 72 Americans taken from
ships captured by German raiders i
the South Atlantic. Germany acced
,oJ 70 +Loro dom oy,dc Saturday
Wilson Suggests All Neutrals Joi
u. s. in Breach
Besides breaking off diplomatic re
lations with Germany. President Wi
son has made bold stroke to rang
the moral force of all other neutrs
countries along with that Of tn
United States in the interest c
peace.
The President fses 'Guggested t
all the other neutral5 that they brea
off diplomatic relations with German
as the United States has done. an
has instructed all American diplt
mats in those countries to repo.
immediately how the suggestion
received. The opinion in diplomat
quarters here is that European me-
trails, at the very doorstep of &c
many, threatened by his milital
power, VIII JleS1tdLe W CcbkO ouSH
STEP The effect of the suggestit
in other countries is being eager
awaited.
American Shin Sunk But Crew W.
Warned and Given Opportunity
Escape
News of the torpe1oing of t
American ship Housatonic bv Gf
man submarine near the Sicily
lands caused a sensation Saturds
but the possibility that this wou
become a serious factor in the cri
with Germany apparently was eli
mated yesterday bv dispatch frt
London to the effect that the 81
was given warning. the crew to
TO the boats, the ship was torpedo
and the submarine towed the bo;
TO point off the English coast.
Congress- Ready to Act Quickly a
Adequately
In his Address to Congress Sat
.1ay tho President said that if Am
lean lives were ruthlesslv sacri1
ed he would come to Congress ag
and ask for authority to take
measures necessary to protect Am
Tcan lives and interests. A dispa
from Washington yesterday sta
hat Congress. aroused to patri'
support of the President. cali
awaits developments and is ready
act quickly and adequately in