Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-02-03
Spain to Take Over Diplomatic Interests
Of the United States and Switzerland
to Look After German Interests Here
BERNST0RFF SAYS THERE WAS
NOTHING ELSE FOR WILSON TOD0

Washington, Feb 3.-Diplomatc relations with Ger
many were broken today. Count Bernstor the Ger
man ambassador has been handed his passports and Am
bassador Gerard has been ordered from Berlin.
Whether the break with Germany will be accompanied
by similar break with Austra-Hungary has not been
learned but it is expected Austria has ndorsed Ger
manys action. Ambassador Gerard notified to ask
for his passports
The breaking off of diplomatic relations with Germany
does not mean war; but early may lead to 1t
act of protest characterized in the usage of nations
measure short Of war;
President Remains at the White House.
The decision to break reached after the presidents
conferences with the cabinet and senate members yester
day. The president by the conferences to the
clusion that the country would stand sody behind him
in breaking off diplomatic relations The president re-
mained at the White House in his study and
during the morning 1t learned he began the prepar
alton Of his address to congress shortly after his return
from the capitol last night.
Never have first class powers severed diplomatic rela
tions without hostities following The president in tax
ing the STEP counted the consequences carefully have
jail his advisors Germany, all her officials said had
counted the cost of break with the United States and
prepared to pay it in the hope of shortening the
All Consulates in Germany to Be Closed
Ambassador Gerard instructions to close the
bassy as well as all consulates IN Germany All attaches
conss consular agents and their stas to be brought
out of Germany This makes the of relations
more complete than usual in such cases.
Senator Thomas introduced amendment to the house
bill proposing $5OOOOOOOO noninterest bearing treasury
notes to put the nation in estate of naval and military
preparedness. Inc amendmenC was not OlSCuSSeQ Inc
would be payable to association from whom the
government would purchase munitions and could be used
to pay taxes. They would be redeemable in 1885.
Spain will take the diplomatic interests Of
America in Germany. The Swiss legation will take
Gemany's diplomatic interests in the United States
Bernstorff Sorry but Not Surprised.
Count Won Bernstorff's eyes moistened when he re-
ceived the information that he to receive his pass
ports. He said to Associated Press correspondent
'Im sorry. However, expected it, there nothing
else for the United States to do. wonder how am to
get home.'
In the mind of every person in the embassy
there is and always has been the conviction
that of diplomatic relations could be
followed by nothing else than They all feel
that the first American life lost as a result of the
submarine situation will bring the crash.
No announcement of the break made at the White
House that reserved for disclosure in the pres
dents address to congress this afternoon Secretary
Tumulty would only that the president would address
congress this afternoon
All Machinery in Motion
Immediately all machinery of the government set
motion to safeguard national interests and to further
prepare the country for unprecedented and momenous