The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01

trals on behalf of civilization, cannot
 afford to ignore the challenge
 Pittsburg Gazette-Times It amounts all
 most to a declaration of war. How long
 will President Wilson endure the off
 cial presence of Count Won Bernstorff in
 America?
 , Philadelphia Record: Whatever the mo-
 tives underlying this sudden and unex- pected step, it cannot be doubted that
 it will add to the fury and bitterness of easily be momentous for the United States
 Philadelphia Inquirer: Apparently after all we have come to the turn of the road at last and have reached the crisis so often threatened and so long deferred.
 Richmond Times-Dispatch: Germany has left this country no alternative to the severance of diplomatic relations
 Boston Post; The fuse is near the diplomatic magazine, and it is lighted. But that some honorable way may yet be found to put out the spark, all thought full and patriotic Americans will, we think, earnestly desire.
 New York Herald: What basis can our government have for taking serious. measures against Germany in the war area question? The English close one part of the ocean, the Germans close others. There is no difference.
 Providence Journal: If we are to re- tain a shred of our self-respeet before the world there is other avenue of protest open to us unless it be the final arbitrament of war
 New York World: There can be only one answer on the part of the United States to the new German submarine proclamation, and that answer should Ue made today. The German ampassador must receive his passports forthwith and diplomatic relations must cease at once. There should be no procrastination un til the hand of the United States gov ernment is forced by premeditated mur- der and depreciation. 5 We have made every concession to Germany that selfArespect will permit and all those have proved to be in vain. To acquiesce in resumption of ruth less submarine warfare is to subject our selves to the losses of war while de- priving ourselves of the means of self defense. That is intolerable. No peace is worth the price of abject national and degradation No peace Is worth the surrender of nation sovereign rights.
 If Germany wants war with the United States. let Germany have war with the United States Our hands are clean.
 New York American; It is a time to walk warily, to decide eoolly, to be very sure of each step and very confident of each decision. And certainly we must l assure the President that whatever the issue may be, the nation is Loyalty be- hind him.
 Springfield Republican,: This means inn | possible conditions for the United States 1 and no American in his senses would 1 consider for moment acquiescence in | action. It is a grave ques- Eion whether President Wilson should lot hand to the German ambassador his | passports immediately.
 New York Herald: The major portion of the note published today is for con by the German peoples. The | American people are interested only in | is open flouting of their government, n the truculent assumption of Prussian- ! sm that it can deprive the United States | of all those rights which have been main tained so stoutly
 New York Tribune: We have submit ted to outrage long enough. Peace with l Germany would be purchased at too { lear price if it is to be purchased byl compliance with the Kaiser's latest in sulting instructions to us as to how we shall conduct our commerce with the .ntente nations.
 His western European blockade is not whit more legitimate as war meas Ire than were his war zone' opera ions in British and Irish waters. And | he ferocity underlying this new pre- ense of conducting blockade consistent | with military law is far more brazenly | lvowed and gloried in. The United | States fought one war-the war of 1S12- l n behalf of the principle of the free | lom of the seas. We cannot believe that | t has so far lost it's manhood as to | hesitate now that the challenge has come which compels it to fight another.
 St. Paul Pioneer Press: Secretary