The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1917-02-08
u. S. BREAKS WITH
l GERMANY; ENVOY
GERARDRECALLED
Won Befnstorff Given Passports
by Lansing.
CONGRESS TOLD BY WILSON
President, in Address to Joint Session
Declares america Will Use All
Means Possible to vindieate
Right to Justice and Lib
erty and an unmolest-
ed Life"

CTkH dUQ an OfHHOtCoe-
ed Life"
Washington, Feb. 5.-With diplo-
matte relations with Germany already
actually severed, President Wilson as
sured the congress of the United States
In a joint session, with the Supreme
court present that he didn't believe
Germany deliberately will sacrifice
American lives in the willfull prosecu-
ton of her ruthless naval program.
"Only actual overt acts on their part
can make me believe il even now" he
declared in voice quivering with emo
ton.
Would Demand Reprisals.
But il such action comes the presi-
dent again will come before congress.
And it was made plain that II he were
forced to do so he would demand
reprisals.
The grave question of peace or war
between the United States and Ger
many then reposes in the German great
war headquarters and the German adj
miralty. If American lives are sacri-
feed In the new submarine operations,
the nation has the assurance OF its
chief executive that he will demand
from congress authority TO use any
means that may be necessary for the
protection of our seamen and our peo-
pie In the prosecution of their peace
full and legitimate errands on the high
seas"
The president said that The can do
nothing less" And he declared that
he took il for granted that all neutral
governments will take the same
course"
Interest Is Intense.
Everyone on the floor and in Illegal
leries listened with the most ittense
interest TO the address of the presi-
dent. His declaration of determine
ton to protect American Interests was
greeted with the wildesJfcheering His
policy statements received the most
emphatic approval from nearly every
one present. There was none Of the
division of sentiment that has seemed
10 greet him on his former visits TO
congress. When he announced his in
tention, If It should become necessary,
again TO address congress, the Repub-
llcans led in the applause which swept
across the chamber like the rattle
OF artillery.
President Is Nervous.
When his speech was concluded. the
president turned nervousIy. and. bid
,4fnc, foro,vau IN +ba vino praSidapt ond
speaker, walked rapidly from the
room.
The last words of the presidents
speech were the signal for final out
burst of applause such as the house
chamber has seldom witnessed, Dem
ocrats and Republicans on the floor
Joined with the crowded galleries In
a demonstration. For several minutes
the house was the scene of shouting,
roaring NAB, ALI partisan and personal
feeling lost in a wave of patriotic fer
yor. The president smiled sadly as
the outburst came to his ears ON the
way out of the chamber
AS If to emphasize the unity of the
senate behind the president, Senator
llt DtluOIIdtiG anu GotI-
ator Gallinger, the Republican leader.
walked back arm in arm from the
house 10 the senate.
''NYait until we are asked TO do
something" expressed the attitude of
both Republicans and Democrats.
"The eountryis behind the president
to a man." said Senator Kern, the ma
q a. ss.
congress. / don't see what he can do
till we have some tangible program
presented. All we need to do is TO
sit tight and await developments"
Address to Congress.
Washington Feb. 3.-President VIII
sons address to the joint session Of
congress was as follows:
"To the congress, February 3, 1917.
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 Febru-
airy. the present month, ii would adopt
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 1t Is
clearly my duty to call your attention.
Reeites Kaise's Assurances.
..Let me remind the congress that
on the 18th OF April last, In view OF
the sinking on the oath of March of
the cross Channel passenger steamer
Sussex by German submarine. with
ont summons or warning, and the con-
segment loss of the lives of several
citizens OF the United States, who
were passengers aboard her, this gov
eminent addressed a note TO the I'M
perial German government In which II
made the following declarations:
"'If It still be the purpose Of the Inn
perial government to prosecute reIent-
less and indlscriminate warfare
against vessels OF commerce by the