Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-02-04

gress only.
II was declared by those intimate
with the president tonight that this
government might Immediately convoy
with warships all American vessels
plying In European waters-and this
course would certainly be determined
upon In case Of IN outbreak Of actual
warfare.
ONLY NAVAL ACTIVITY.
It was further stated that the Unit
ed States would probably confine its
efforts to naval activity. at least until
an army could be raised and properly
trained. There would be billions of
wealth and great masses OF food and
war materials this government could
hurl into the fight against Germany. In
event Of war. 1t was pointed out.
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
In his address at the joint session Of
congress President Wilson said:
Let me remind the congress, on the
eighth OF April. last, in view Of the
sinking on the twenty-fourth Of
March OF the cross channel passenger
steamer Sussex by a German submA-
rine without summons or warning and
the consequent loss Of the lives Of
several citizens Of tho United States
who were passengers aboard her. this
government addressed 4 note to tho
imperial German government. in which
II made the following declaration:
"Tf 1t is still the purpose of the I'm
perial government to prosecute the re-
lentless and indiscriminate warfare
against vessels OF commerce by the use
ID a.
the government OF the United States
must consider the sacred and indisput-
able rules Of international law and the
recognized dictates Of HUI
manity the government of the United
States is at last forced to the conclu-
sion that there Is but one course It can
pursue. Unless the imperial govern
ment should now Immediately declare
and effect an abandonment Of its pre-
sent methods Of submarine warfare
against passenger and freight carrying
the government of the Unit
ed States ccan have no choice but to
sever diplomatic relations with the
German empire altogether
ASSURANCES GIVEN.
I'm 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
to the fighting forces Of the
oelligerents, thereby also insuring the
freedom of the seas. principle upon
which the German government believes
now, as before, to be In agreement with
he government of the United States
1.-The German government. guided
oy this idea, notifies the government
IF the United States that the German
naval forces have received the follow
ng orders: In accordance with the
general principles of visit and search
md destruction of merchant vessels
recognized by international law, such
'essels, both within and without the
urea declared a naval war zone, shall
lot be sunk without warning and with |
tut saving human lives, unless these
hips attempt to escape or offer re-
istance.
FREEDOM OF THE SEAS.
But 1t added, 'neutrals cannot ex-
ect that Germany, forced to fight for
Ter existence shall. for the sake of neu-
raj interest, restrict the use of an eff
ective weapon II her enemy is permit
ed to continue to apply at will meth
IDS of warfare violating the rules Of
International law. Such demand
would be incompatible with the char
Lcter Of neutrality and the German
government Is convinced that the gov
rnment of the United States does not
hink of making such a demand know
ng that the government Of the United
states has repeatedly declared that it
8 determined to restore the principle
+ the freedom OF the seas, from what
yer quarter II has been violated
AMERICAS ACCEPTANCE.
ITO this the government of the Unit
d States replied on the eighth of May,
.ccepting. Of course. the assurances
iven; but adding:
THE government OF the United
tates feels it necessary to state that
takes 1t for granted that the imper-
al German government does not in
end to imply that the maintenance of
Is newly announced policy is in any
ray contingent upon the course or re-
ut OF diplomatic negotiations be-
Ween the government Of the United
tates and any other belligerent gov
Notwithstanding the fact that
ertain passages In the imperial gov
note Of the fourth instant
hight appear to be applicable Of that
obstruction. In order, however, to
void any Misunderstanding, the gov
rnment o; the United States notifies
ne imperial government that It can
OF for a moment entertain, much less
iscuss. a. suggestion that respect by
erman naval authorities for the rights
citizens Of the United States upon
ne high seas should in any way or in